Sources: Shari Redstone will get $180M in severance and other benefits on top of $350 from the sale of her 20% stake in National Amusements (Christopher Palmeri/Bloomberg)

Mediagazer: Sources: Shari Redstone will get $180M in severance and other benefits on top of $350 from the sale of her 20% stake in National Amusements (Christopher Palmeri/Bloomberg)

Top News:

Washington Post:

Most of the six members of Tenet's “talent” team claim they did not know the money they were paid allegedly came from Russia; Lauren Southern has not commented— Even some of the right-wing stars hired by the group last year wondered why it existed. Now, a new federal indictment claims it was a propaganda front.
Discussion: Public Notice, Forbes, @drewharwell@threads.net, @davidfrum, @anneapplebaum, Crikey, @taylorlorenz@threads.net, @renee.diresta@threads.net, @davidfrum, @urbanachievr, @crumbler@threads.net, NBC News, Fortune, @renee.diresta@threads.net, @angiebaby@mas.to, Bloomberg, Semafor, Boing Boing, The Guardian and emptywheel

Discussion:

Lisa Needham /
Public Notice: Russia's useful idiots

Siladitya Ray /
Forbes: YouTube Takes Down Alleged Russia-Funded Outlet Which Hosted Videos From Right-Wing Pundits

Drew Harwell /
@drewharwell@threads.net: “these guys see made-up ‘psyops’ everywhere until a mysterious foreigner offers them fantastic amounts of money for practically nothing then they turn into Mr Magoo” https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ...

Anne Applebaum /
@anneapplebaum: I am shocked, shocked to discover that the Russian state funded far-right “influencers” in the state of Tennessee and I am sure they had absolutely no idea where the money was coming from https://www.theguardian.com/ ...

Anne Applebaum /
@anneapplebaum: It wasn't even subtle

Charlie Lewis /
Crikey: An evangelic candidate for governor bought hundreds of bootleg pornos in the 90s and that's not the weirdest part

Taylor Lorenz /
@taylorlorenz@threads.net: If I was getting paid $400,000 a month to make shitty youtube videos I would work for exactly one year then retire and delete the internet from my phone

Renee DiResta /
@renee.diresta@threads.net: Well-resourced state actors use broadcast&social media simultaneously, across the overt to covert spectrum. At this point there are a bunch of strategies Russia is working concurrently; as one is made more costly/less effective, they leverage others. …

David Frum /
@davidfrum: “Just asking questions” on every subject except, “Who is paying me absurdly above-market prices for my videos?” and “Why are they doing it?”

Christian Vanderbrouk /
@urbanachievr: these guys see made-up “psyops” everywhere until a mysterious foreigner offers them fantastic amounts of money for practically nothing then they turn into Mr Magoo

Casey Newton /
@crumbler@threads.net: The Tenet indictments show how Russia has shifted its election interference tactics since 2016. Will right-wing dupes prove to be more effective than Macedonian teens and bot farms? https://www.platformer.news/ ... NBC News: How some of the internet's most popular pro-Trump pundits ended up as paid messengers for Russian propaganda

Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez /
Fortune: Elon Musk repeatedly interacted on X with right-wing influencers allegedly backed by a Russia-funded company

Renee DiResta /
@renee.diresta@threads.net: I have read many cases of content creators being approached by state actors, discussing how they were misled. This is a thing that happens. Front media is an old strategy. Professional manipulators succeed in duping the unwitting. But something like this — this is an ethical failure on the part of the creator. …

Angie /
@angiebaby@mas.to: @Mediagazer — “$100K per episode for a channel that gets roughly 4,500 views per video? This seems totally above board, we don't need to do any due diligence.”

Ellsworth Toohey /
Boing Boing: Russia-praising Tim Pool denies knowledge of Russian money to podcast platform emptywheel: Don Jr's Online Buddies Allegedly Demand $5 Million from Russian Shell Companies to Say Nice Things about His Daddy

RELATED:

Semafor:

Blaze Media's CEO says it has ended its contract with BlazeTV contributor Lauren Chen of Tenet Media, which is alleged to have been funded by Russia— The Scoop — A conservative American media company has fired one of the YouTubers implicated in an alleged Russian influence operation exposed …

Discussion:

Gerrit De Vynck /
Washington Post: YouTube takes down right-wing channels linked to DOJ Russia indictments

Tom Nichols /
The Atlantic: The Russian Propaganda Attack on America @servelan@newsie.social: “Chen and her husband, Liam Donovan, are the co-founders of Tenet Media, a previously obscure media company that paid eye-popping sums to right-wing influencers to produce videos that echoed #Russian #propaganda and other right-wing talking points, according to an indictment.” …

Isaac Schorr /
Mediaite: Right-Wing Provocateur Lauren Chen Fired By The Blaze Amid Russian Propaganda Scandal

Andrew Beaujon /
Washingtonian: These Are the Conservative Commentators Who Allegedly Got Hoodwinked (and Indirectly Paid!) by Russia

Brad Reed /
Raw Story: Right-wing media group fires contributor after she allegedly took Russian cash

Natalie Korach /
The Wrap: Blaze Fires YouTube Contributor Linked to Alleged Russian Influence Campaign @Myerman@toot.bldrweb.org: A conservative American media company has fired one of the YouTubers implicated in an alleged Russian influence operation exposed by the US Department of Justice this week. — “Lauren Chen was an independent contractor, whose contract has been terminated,” Blaze Media CEO Tyler Cardon said in an email to Semafor. … New York Times: The US sanctions five Russian news outlets including RT, sanctions RT's EIC, indicts two RT staffers, and seizes 32 domains, as it fights Russian influence

Discussion:
US Department of Justice, OutsideTheBeltway, @oneunderscore__, New York Post, Washington Post, Wired, @osullyville.bsky.social, Voice of America, Matthew Devost on LinkedIn, CNN, @semaforben, @kareemrifai, @skykiss@sfba.social, @eelarson, @rolandsmartin, @willsommer, @lrozen, @sewingdilemma, @lrozen, @willsommer, @mtaibbi, @thetnholler, @yashar, @shanlonwu, @arictoler, @stevanzetti, @christogrozev, @alanfeuer, Adweek, @alanfeuer, @muellershewrote, Wired, The Guardian, The Register, @1elizabeth_jacobs@threads.net, @info_rosalie@threads.net, US Department of Justice, The Record, NPR, Radio Free Europe/Radio …, Agence France-Presse, Radio Free Europe/Radio …, Bloomberg, @waldoj@mastodon.social, @joeabodnar@threads.net, @renee.diresta@threads.net, @crispinburke@threads.net, @joeabodnar@threads.net, @renee.diresta@threads.net, CNBC, Axios, The Moscow Times, Reuters, USA Today, Nextgov/FCW, @renee.diresta@threads.net, @griffinkyle@threads.net and

Discussion:
US Department of Justice: Two RT Employees Indicted for Covertly Funding and Directing U.S. Company that Published Thousands of Videos in Furtherance of Russian Interests

Matt Bernius /
OutsideTheBeltway: Being A Useful Idiot Pays Well (Allegedly)

Tim Onion /
@oneunderscore__: Final thoughts on the Tim Pool/Benny Johnson: Even if you take their argument at face value — that they didn't know they were pawns of foreign influence — it's EXACTLY what years of disinfo reporting was trying to say: foreign influence campaigns are real, complex, happening.

Tim Onion /
@oneunderscore__: Instead of listening to the threat of foreign influence, they made entire careers out of denying it, calling it the “censorship industrial complex,” saying I was evil and should be thrown in jail for reporting about the very thing that duped them. Tim posted stuff like this. [image]

Dan McLaughlin /
New York Post: Democrats blame Russia to pretend away the Chinese dragon in the room

Dan O'Sullivan /
@osullyville.bsky.social: Not that it will ever shame them but something I'm savoring is the defense of Pool/Rubin/Johnson is that, as political commentators confidently and endlessly weighing in on any and all news, they are also too stupid to tell they are dupes to a foreign power operating on obviously shady terms. …

Matthew Devost /
Matthew Devost on LinkedIn: From my February 2019 post on future Russian activity over at OODAloop.com: — “Puppetmasters. While there was a tremendous amount of focus … CNN: Biden administration announces major actions to tackle Russian efforts to influence 2024 election

Kareem Rifai /
@kareemrifai: JUST NOW: Shocking documents from the Justice Department release on Russian election influence. One of the docs below describes a redacted US political party as having a “relatively pro-Russian agenda,” with a plan to create a Twitter sockpuppet network to promote said party. [image] @skykiss@sfba.social: Convicted Felon-Trump appeared on Tim Pool's podcast in May. They discussed whether the war in Ukraine would lead to World War III, and Trump pledged to give “serious consideration” to pardoning Julian Assange — two favorite themes of Russian propaganda efforts. …

Erik Larson /
@eelarson: The alleged scheme also included using artificial intelligence tools to create pictures and videos to use in “negative advertisements about US politicians” and to register social media accounts that appeared to be news outlets such as CNN and the BBC

Erik Larson /
@eelarson: A wide-ranging Russian plot to influence the 2024 US election included internal planning documents from a Russia-backed entity saying it was in Russia's interest to ensure that Donald Trump or another Republican wins the White House https://www.bloomberg.com/... via @bpolitics

Erik Larson /
@eelarson: Since at least 2022, according to the FBI, Russian-controlled entities “cybersquatted” internet domains that led to fake websites that impersonated real media outlets, including Fox News and the Washington Post.

Will Sommer /
@willsommer: Two people described in the Tenet indictment as unnamed “founders” were very aware their operation was funded by Russians. Tenn. biz records list Tenet's founders as BlazeTV host and TPUSA contributor Lauren Chen aka “Roaming Millennial,” and her husband.

Laura Rozen /
@lrozen: @willsommer am perplexed why they weren't indicted

Laura Rozen /
@lrozen: @sewingdilEmma @willsommer company founders were not unwitting, per the indictment. the commentators may have been

Will Sommer /
@willsommer: This indictment alleges that right-wing commentators like Dave Rubin, Benny Johnson, Tim Pool, and Lauren Southern — as part of the “Tenet Media” YouTube channel — have been unwittingly working for a Russian influence operation. https://x.com/...

Will Sommer /
@willsommer: Funny moment in the Tenet indictment: a Tenet founder, who have told Youtubers their funding is coming from a Western European businessman, emails the investor for more money. When no one responds, Tenet's founder drops the pretense and googles “time in Moscow” [image]

Matt Taibbi /
@mtaibbi: Gosh what a shock that @KenDilanianNBC is the delivery boy for this Langley-created horseshit! Never would have thought @thetnholler: The @Tennessean notes the DOJ indictment about a Tennessee-based Kremlin misinformation op mentions a content company that describes itself the same way as Tenet Media, which puts out videos by some well-known far right- personalities. https://www.tennessean.com/... [image]

Yashar Ali /
@yashar: NEWS The US Department of Justice alleges that Tenet Media, which has Benny Johnson, Tim Pool, and Dave Rubin on its roster, received $10 million from the Russian government to publish content as part of a Russian influence operation. Tenet is owned and controlled by Lauren [image]

Shanlon Wu /
@shanlonwu: “Officials say that fighting election interference has been more difficult this year. Some Americans, particularly Mr. Trump's supporters, see accusations that Russia is spreading disinformation as efforts to undermine their views and policy positions” https://www.nytimes.com/...

Aric Toler /
@arictoler: The indictment specifies that two of the people who work for this Tennessee company (Tenet) were “deceived” — meaning they didn't know that the Russian government was running an influence op. Dave Rubin has 2.4 million subscribers and Tim Pool has 1.37 million. [image]

Aric Toler /
@arictoler: A new DoJ indictment alleges that RT employees “covertly fund[ed] and direct[ed]” a US company with $10m in order to push pro-Russia content. The company is based in Tennessee. There is one media company based in Tennessee with the same phrase listed in the indictment... [image]

Steven Monacelli /
@stevanzetti: You're telling me that Tenet Media — the Blaze Media / TPUSA adjacent outlet that features Tim Pool, Benny Johnson, and Texas' own Taylor Hansen — has been secretly funded and directed by Russia Today employees?

Christo Grozev /
@christogrozev: DOJ indicted today RT's employee Konstantin Kalashnikov for organizing illicit dissemination of fake news aiming to poison the domestic US election debate. Aptly, his Facebook profile is named “Novichok” [image]

Alan Feuer /
@alanfeuer: The U.S. company at the center of this Russian plot uses the same slogan, the indictment notes, as Tenet Media—the home of Lauren Southern, Tim Pool and Benny Johnson among others.

Alan Feuer /
@alanfeuer:

Jessica Lyons /
The Register: White House seizes 32 domains, issues criminal charges in massive election-meddling crackdown

Elizabeth Jacobs /
@1elizabeth_jacobs@threads.net: This isn't surprising in the least. They are regular purveyors of misinformation, including about COVID19 and vaccines. Who benefits from a sick and divided US population? Not the US. https://www.wired.com/...

E. Rosalie Li /
@info_rosalie@threads.net: Articles Shared by Probable Doppelgänger Accounts: This list reflects the headlines from links shared by probable Doppelgänger accounts in April and May 2024. https://infoepi.org/... 2/3

E. Rosalie Li /
@info_rosalie@threads.net: One picture is a report on content from suspected Doppelgänger accounts, published in May 2024. The other is page 54/5 of the AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF SEIZURE WARRANT related to election interference. We don't often get confirmation like this, so it's nice to see. 1/3

US Department of Justice:
Justice Department Disrupts Covert Russian Government-Sponsored Foreign Malign Influence Operation Targeting Audiences in the United States and Elsewhere

Jonathan Greig /
The Record: DOJ seizes dozens of domains used in Russian influence campaigns targeting swing states Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Russian Contract Soldier Who Fled To Kazakhstan To Avoid Ukraine War Gets 6 Years In Prison

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty:
U.S. Accuses Russia Of Attempting To Influence 2024 Election Through Kremlin-Backed News Outlets

Waldo Jaquith /
@waldoj@mastodon.social: Hey, the Kremlin funded and exerted editorial control over the work of Benny Johnson, Tim Pool, and Lauren Southern. What a deeply unsurprising turn of events. https://www.nytimes.com/...

Joe Bodnar /
@joeabodnar@threads.net: Tenet Media's YouTube is putting up numbers. Not even a year old and it has over 16 million views.

Renee DiResta /
@renee.diresta@threads.net: Buying authentic influencers is a far better use of funds than creating fake personas, because they bring their own trusting audiences and are actually, you know, real. Funding front media outlets is a classic state propaganda strategy. …

Crispin Burke /
@crispinburke@threads.net: The Tennessee-based [COMPANY-1] received nearly all of its $9.7 million in revenue from RT via shell companies. [COMPANY-1] did not disclose to its viewers that it was operating on behalf of RT. Meanwhile...

Joe Bodnar /
@joeabodnar@threads.net: Aric Toler connected this covert Russian funding to a company called Tenet Media. People working with Tenet: Tim Pool, Dave Rubin, Benny Johnson. Woah. Woah. $10 million can do this I guess.

Renee DiResta /
@renee.diresta@threads.net: On a plane reading the fascinating DOJ indictment of two Russian nationals who ran a front media property, Tenet Media. My 1st reaction is that this reminds me of shell games Russia played w/left-leaning outlets via Maffick Media, which at one point sued FB for slapping a Russian state media label on them (and lost). …

Bart Jansen /
USA Today: Feds accuse Russia's RT network in $10 million election misinformation plot

David DiMolfetta /
Nextgov/FCW: US says Russia conducted sustained disinformation campaign to sway 2024 election

Renee DiResta /
@renee.diresta@threads.net: Long-running effort known as “Doppleganger” that began in ~2022 or so

Kyle Griffin /
@griffinkyle@threads.net: As alleged in an unsealed affidavit, the Russian companies Social Design Agency (SDA), Structura National Technology (Structura), and ANO Dialog, operating under the direction and control of the Russian Presidential Administration, used these domains, among others …

Kyle Griffin /
@griffinkyle@threads.net: New: The Justice Department just confirmed a Russian election interference campaign “operating under the direction and control of the Russian Presidential Administration.” DOJ announced the ongoing seizure of 32 internet domains used in Russian government-directed foreign malign influence campaigns — in violation of U.S. money laundering and criminal trademark laws.

CNN:
Source: Tenet Media is the Tennessee-based company the US DOJ alleges was being funded by Russia; Benny Johnson and Tim Pool say they were victims of the scheme

Discussion:
@bennyjohnson, NBC News, @jayinkyiv, The Hollywood Reporter, @ok_post_guy, @ariehkovler, Raw Story, @luke_metro, The Daily Dot, Reuters, @aridrennen@threads.net, @joohnchoe, @youranonnews, @gravitysra1nbow, @very__regular, @kenklippenstein, @luke_metro, @mattgertz, New York Daily News, New Republic, Newser, The Tennessean, Forbes, @timcast, Gizmodo, Variety, Rolling Stone, @igorsushko, @markhertling, @davidsacks, CBS News, @joshtpm, @lawindsor, @jaredlholt, Mediaite, @rob_lowy912, @cturnbull1968, @meidastouch, @joshtpm, @heerjeet, @michaeldweiss, @nashvilleresist, @mattgertz, @ariehkovler, @lukeoneil47, @ariehkovler, @farhip, @taliaotg, @willsommer, @donie, @taylorlorenz, @joeperticone, @justinbaragona, @oneunderscore__, @andycat3, @capitolhunters, @bradmossesq, @alecluhn, @ariehkovler, @jaredlholt, @lopezmotorscars, @emptywheel, @itsmelissabrown, @aaronblake, @emptywheel, @thejusticedept, @amydentata@tech.lgbt, @Doreen32128@universeodon.com, @deedotknudsen.bsky.social, @vastarien.bsky.social, @wxdylan.bsky.social, The Daily Beast, NPR, @totallynomadic.bsky.social, @texaspaulschroder@threads.net, @greg.doucette@threads.net, Associated Press, Mother Jones, HuffPost, @oldskoolguitar.bsky.social, New York Post, Tampa Free Press, @rjdeal.bsky.social, @furnace.bsky.social, @mollyknight.bsky.social, The Tennessean, @crj418.bsky.social, @wiczipedia@threads.net, @coachfinstock.bsky.social, @bangatank.bsky.social, @mathandstuff.bsky.social, @r.v.cx, @georebekahjones@threads.net, @striderhlc.bsky.social, @tommyg.bsky.social, @markbarrington.bsky.social, @franklinjay.bsky.social, @theferocity.bsky.social, Mediaite, @protecttruth@mastodon.online, Raw Story, New Republic, @metacurity@infosec.exchange, The Independent, The Daily Dot, @mollyknight.bsky.social and Talking Points Memo

Discussion:

Benny Johnson /
@bennyjohnson: A statement on the leaked DOJ indictment today: A year ago, a media startup pitched my company to provide content as an independent contractor. Our lawyers negotiated a standard, arms length deal, which was later terminated. We are disturbed by the allegations in today's

NBC News:
Russian money was funneled to right-wing creators through a pro-Trump media outlet, prosecutors say

Kevin Dolak /
The Hollywood Reporter: How Russia Allegedly Funneled Money Into a U.S. Media Company to Pay Right-Wing Content Creators @ok_post_guy: Lest you ever think actual people pay to listen to Tim Pool, ~90% of all of their revenue literally came from Russian shell companies [image]

Arieh Kovler /
@ariehkovler: Eventually they did a deal. Benny Johnson would (unknowingly) work for the Russians for $400,000 a month in exchange for 4 monthly videos. Plus a 100k signing bonus. Pool also agreed 100k a video but no bonus. Weak negotiating skills. [image]

Kathleen Culliton /
Raw Story: ‘At it again!’ Trump goes on Truth Social tirade to dismiss latest Russia influence claims @luke_metro: People on twitter will really be like “you believe in the mainstream media? that pales in effectiveness to my strategy, listening to independent thinkers” and then falling for a Russian psyop

Katherine Huggins /
The Daily Dot: Is RFK Jr. actually a secret agent eliminating Russian assets on the right? @aridrennen@threads.net: Tim Pool on his future after an indictment alleging that Russia paid him $100K per video: “It will be the exact same show it's always been and will continue to advance whatever it is we are advancing. And it's totally independent and whatever.” @youranonnews: Tim Pool (@timcast): outed as a Russian propagandist. Tim was being paid $100,000 a week by Tenet Media. TM took millions in Kremlin cash as part of “a scheme to create and distribute content to U.S. audiences with hidden Russian government messaging"). Don't lie Tim, you knew. [video]

James /
@gravitysra1nbow: How do you live down finding out you were an actual real-life useful idiot. You have to go the rest of your life knowing another country sat down and had meetings about how stupid you are. They all got around a table and voted and said “Yeah he's fucking dumb, let's use him”

Lauren /
@very__regular: honestly just insulting how well a career as a professional lying scumbag pays

Ken Klippenstein /
@kenklippenstein: Russia is even more out of ideas than we are if the best they can come up with for an influence operation is bankrolling Benny Johnson and Tim Pool

Matthew Gertz /
@mattgertz: The good news is there's someone out there with deep pockets willing to put real money into alternative media and actually pay their talent well. The bad news is that it's the Kremlin.

Jessica Schladebeck /
New York Daily News: Right-wing influencers paid millions by Russian operation for propaganda videos: DOJ

Evan Mealins /
The Tennessean: What to know about Tenet Media, Tennessee company linked to Russian propagandists

Siladitya Ray /
Forbes: These Right-Wing Pundits Were Allegedly Funded By Russia—What To Know About DOJ Indictment

Tim Pool /
@timcast: My statement regarding allegations and the leaked DOJ Indictment Should these allegations prove true, I as well as the other personalities and commentators were deceived and are victims. I cannot speak for anyone else at the company as to what they do or to what they are

Matthew Gault /
Gizmodo: Right-Wing Influencers Like Tim Pool Allegedly Paid by Kremlin Influence Campaign

Todd Spangler /
Variety: U.S. Officials Allege Russian Operatives Illegally Provided $10 Million to Fund Videos by American Right-Wing Social Media Stars

Nikki McCann Ramirez /
Rolling Stone: Right-Wing Influencers Deny Knowledge of Russian Funding

Igor Sushko /
@igorsushko: Talking points the US citizen Kremlin agents were told to disseminate by Russia in exchange for $10 million to help Donald Trump in the upcoming election. Political Party A = Republican Party Candidate A = Donald Trump Political Party B = Democratic Party Candidate B = Joe Biden [image]

Mark Hertling /
@markhertling: Many Americans will say “we've heard this before,” or “just another Russia hoax,” or “it's a democrat ploy.” I don't know how to counter those who believe that, other than to say “I've been watching this for years, have seen it happen in other countries, and it won't turn out

Mark Hertling /
@markhertling: The statement by @SecBlinken (above) is succinct, and the @JusticeDept_RP document outlining the activities is relatively short (about 200 pages), unbiased, and apolitical. It is a stunning report. 10/ https://abcnews.go.com/...

David Sacks /
@davidsacks: Even by the standards of Russia, Russia, Russia hoaxes, the Tenet Media/Lauren Chen case makes no sense: — Chen was riling up pro-lifers *against* Trump. @Cernovich, Steve Deace, and others had been calling out these “purists” for weeks, and now they're vindicated. — Chen was CBS News: U.S. says Russia funded media company that paid right-wing influencers millions for videos

Josh Marshall /
@joshtpm: Lots of ways to be victimized but having someone sneak up on you and give you hundreds of thousands of dollars is definitely the most upsetting to think about. Like how do you come back from that?

Lauren Windsor /
@lawindsor: LMFAO... who could have guessed that former progressive host Dave Rubin (who was at The Young Turks back when I was launching The Undercurrent there in 2012!) turned rightwing shill would be *allegedly* peddling Russian propaganda @RubinReport

Jared Holt /
@jaredlholt: If the Russian state thought I was a useful enough idiot for them to give me and my friends some chunks of cash, I would probably think long and hard about what I was doing with my life beyond the limits of “I am a victim”

Colby Hall /
Mediaite: WATCH: Alleged Russian Propagandist Tim Pool Screams That ‘Ukraine is the Enemy of the US’

Rob Lowy /
@rob_lowy912: It doesn't matter if Tim Pool knew it was the Russians who were paying him What matters is that he was willing to take money to produce content to shape public opinion without telling you. If you still trust him, or any of the other hacks on his show, you are a fool.

Carlos Turnbull /
@cturnbull1968: These are the talking points that the Ruskies paid Benny Johnson and Tim Pool to push and poison our political discourse and society. When can we schedule military tribunals and a visit to Gitmo for these two traitors? [image] @meidastouch: Look how quickly Fox jumps into action to defend and deflect from the Russian disinformation campaign exposed by DOJ. Very suspicious. [image]

Josh Marshall /
@joshtpm: 2/ So like you assume the money eventually traces back to the Scaifes or the Kochs or whoever funds the Federalist or some other random. But you never know. So it's probably easy to plug into that don't ask too many questions framework.

Josh Marshall /
@joshtpm: More seriously, I think the right's pretty long history of astroturf media probably makes them more vulnerable for this. For decades you've had various operations funded by a mix of family foundations, cut-out 501c3s, random rich guys. And you just don't ask a lot of questions.

Jeet Heer /
@heerjeet: @joshtpm The pre-history of this stuff is the now forgotten 2013 scandal where a bunch of these guys took money from Malaysia https://www.buzzfeednews.com/ ...

Michael Weiss /
@michaeldweiss: Elon Musk naturally promoted nonsense peddled by Tenet Media, which was financed by now-indicted Russian operatives. @nashvilleresist: And to circle back for a sec with new info: We don't believe this company “didn't know” it was being used by Russia for a millisecond. https://apnews.com/... [image]

Matthew Gertz /
@mattgertz: The content creation company that federal prosectors say was a tool of Russian propagandists is Tenet Media, according to The Tennessean. Its apparently unwitting stars include Dave Rubin, Tim Pool, and Benny Johnson, seen below mocking the Russia “hoax” https://www.tennessean.com/... [image]

Matthew Gertz /
@mattgertz: Kirk and Beck also took issue with the Russia “hoax,” of course. [image]

Matthew Gertz /
@mattgertz: Ah so Charlie Kirk and Glenn Beck are employing someone who is running a Russian propaganda gambit on the side, good times. https://x.com/...

Arieh Kovler /
@ariehkovler: Commentator-6 is for sure Matt Christiansen. This is the video referenced in this paragraph. [image]

Arieh Kovler /
@ariehkovler: The Russians wanted to blame the ISIS Moscow attack on Ukraine. They got Commentator-3 to do it. If Dave Rubin is Commentator-1 than I think Johnson is 3, and vice versa. [image]

Luke /
@lukeoneil47: I love how we have to pretend that this was unknowingly. Yeah man they want to give you 400k a month for 4 videos. You're that good. They said that yeah.

Arieh Kovler /
@ariehkovler: To be clear, whether or not Benny was Commentator-1 or one of the others, neither I not the indictment are claiming he knew that he was working for the Russians. The question of whether he *should have known or suspected* is both more philosophical and harder to prove. [image]

Paul Farhi /
@farhip: This, from today's DOJ indictment of the alleged masterminds of a covert Russian effort to influence the U.S. election, indicates that one of Tucker Carlson's pro-Kremlin videos just wasn't subtle enough for Team Russia. [image] @taliaotg: so that skate park he bought because the skaters didn't wanna play with him - he bought that with russia bux?

Will Sommer /
@willsommer: A sign of how things are going after the Tenet indictment: prominent GOP attorney Harmeet Dhillon reminds everyone don't talk to the cops without a lawyer.

Will Sommer /
@willsommer: The Tenet Media indictment's revelation that Tim Pool was getting paid $100K an episode certainly puts his real estate purchases in a West Virginia in a new light. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ...

Donie O'Sullivan /
@donie: NEW: CNN has independently confirmed the Russia funded US media company that paid American right-wing social media stars is Tenet Media, based in Tennessee. Some very big names tied up in all of this. Reporting w/ @ZcohenCNN @evanperez @snlyngaas https://www.cnn.com/...

Taylor Lorenz /
@taylorlorenz: Nothing exposes these far right grifters cosplaying as “independent media” more than exposing where they're actually getting all their money from

Joe Perticone /
@joeperticone: One anecdote I'll share that tells you a lot about Benny Johnson as a person is that at IJR, he cried the day two CBS-Roanoke reporters were murdered. Not because of the actual shooting, but because we told him he wasn't allowed to post the video of the murder on the website.

Justin Baragona /
@justinbaragona: “leaked”

Tim Onion /
@oneunderscore__: I keep posting and deleting stuff about Tim Pool because I can't actually put to words this feeling of almost religious vindication that is considerably better than what I imagine it'd be like to win the lottery.

Andy B /
@andycat3: Sure bud. [video] @capitolhunters: Today DOJ revealed a $10M op to use US podcasters to push Russian propaganda, since 2023. Let's remember that Lauren Southern, “Commentator-5”, went to Moscow in 2018 to make a film to “correct ” “America's irrational fear of Russia”. This stuff has been going on for years. 1/ [image]

@capitolhunters:
Today's DOJ announcement. The press release has a a link to the indictment. The “founders” of Tenet Media are BlazeTV host Lauren Chen and her husband Liam Donovan. They knew the money came from Russia. 5/ https://x.com/...

Bradley P. Moss /
@bradmossesq: Weird way to say “sorry I allegedly got unwittingly suckered into a Russian influence operation for money”

Alec Luhn /
@alecluhn: The funniest part is these far-right YouTubers initially worried their funder was too “woke” because his resume mentioned “social justice”—not that he was an obviously fake person, invented by Russia Today employees https://www.dailydot.com/...

Arieh Kovler /
@ariehkovler: This means a Russian intel agent was part of the internal conversations with Lauren Chen and Liam Donovan about how much to pay Benny Johnson and Tim Pool [image]

Jared Holt /
@jaredlholt: Is there any other media job that pays $400,000 per month for recording four videos a week, or is it just doing “anti-woke” conservative clickbait (From DOJ indictment involving Russian state media funneling millions to right-wing video mill Tenet Media) https://www.justice.gov/... [image] @lopezmotorscars: Tenet media got tasked with posting Tucker Carlsons grocery store propaganda. [image] @emptywheel: Imagine if all of Donald Trump's popularity is based on grift-boys getting paid $5M by Russia? 🤔

Melissa Brown /
@itsmelissabrown: Russian propagandists funnelled $10 million to a Tennessee company to push disinformation, the DOJ alleges. Though DOJ doesn't name the company, details match Tenet Media, a company registered in Nashville https://www.tennessean.com/...

Melissa Brown /
@itsmelissabrown: The company is registered to an office suite in Green Hills. https://www.tennessean.com/...

Melissa Brown /
@itsmelissabrown: @EvanMealins reports the indictments mentions a slogan of the unnamed company ("a network of heterodox commentators that focus on Western political and cultural issues") that directly matches Tenet's slogan/description on multiple social media accounts.

Aaron Blake /
@aaronblake: Tucker Carlson's video in a Russian grocery store was apparently deemed not subtle enough for a Russian influence operation. [image]

@emptywheel:
Note, Benny and Pool have the same number of YouTUbe subscribers as named in ¶4 of the indictment.

@emptywheel:
If Commentator 1 and 2 ARE Benny and Pool, they demand $5M to spew the shite they do about Donald Trump. https://www.justice.gov/... [image] @thejusticedept: Two RT Employees Indicted for Covertly Funding and Directing U.S. Company that Published Thousands of Videos in Furtherance of Russian Interests 🔗: https://www.justice.gov/... [image]

Amy Dentata /
@amydentata@tech.lgbt: Everybody keeps saying Russia is supporting the far-right in the US because Russia is supporting the far-right in the US. — https://www.cbsnews.com/... #uspol

Dee /
@deedotknudsen.bsky.social: I made a huge mistake, sold out my country for cash [embedded post]

Tam /
@vastarien.bsky.social: Tim Pool not really understanding the context is pretty on-brand. — ‘I was never told what to say’ — Yeah Tim, because they didn't need to tell you - you were already saying and doing everything they wanted. [embedded post] @totallynomadic.bsky.social: Explains the hyperbolic commentary over the last span of time tho. Tim and Benny really turned it up over the time since monetization on X. [embedded post]

Paul Schroder /
@texaspaulschroder@threads.net: Tim Pool and Benny Johnson knew what the fu*k they were doing. They worked for Russia. They got paid BIG money. Meanwhile there are a ton of commentators and influencers on the left that are ONLY supported by their audiences. Not by the Democratic Party, Democratic donors and certainly not the government. …

T. Greg Doucette /
@greg.doucette@threads.net: I used to say rather frequently during Citrus Stalin's tenure that Republicans were a threat to national security. Turns out I was more right than I thought 😂

T. Greg Doucette /
@greg.doucette@threads.net: Turns out Tim Pool, Benny Johnson, Laura Southern, Dave Rubin, and a bunch of other MAGA pundits were being bankrolled by the Soviets: https://www.tennessean.com/... Associated Press: With charges and sanctions, US takes aim at Russian disinformation ahead of November election

Anna Merlan /
Mother Jones: New Indictment Alleges Conservative Media Company Took Millions in Kremlin Cash

Paul Blumenthal /
HuffPost: DOJ Says 2 Russians Funded Big-Name Online Conservative Media Personalities @oldskoolguitar.bsky.social: Was shit this weird in Cold War 1 and we just didn't hear about it at the same speed or is reality just fuckin weird now?

Josh Christenson /
New York Post: ‘Secret’ Russian influence campaign paid $10M to prop up right-wing US commentators: indictment

Mike Jenkins /
Tampa Free Press: DOJ Indicts Two RT Employees For Funding U.S. Conservative Media Outlet In Alleged Kremlin-Backed Scheme

Rhonda /
@rjdeal.bsky.social: So they thought they were getting nearly half a million dollars EVERY MONTH for no reason at all?? And they're claiming victimhood? The audacity.

Molly Knight /
@mollyknight.bsky.social: In case you are wondering who Benny Johnson is: — “In July 2014, BuzzFeed found 41 instances of plagiarism in Benny Johnson's writings, comprising almost ten percent of his work. He was subsequently fired from BuzzFeed and apologized for the plagiarism.” — en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benny_ J... …

Evan Mealins /
The Tennessean: Indictment: Russian propagandists used Tennessee content company to push disinformation

Nina Jankowicz /
@wiczipedia@threads.net: Commentators like Tim Pool are implicated in this scheme. He's claiming he was “deceived” and “a victim.” He says he retained full editorial control, and yet we know commentators involved with these operations were getting steers from their handlers.

Nina Jankowicz /
@wiczipedia@threads.net: Waking up in Australia to the news of a huge Russian op uncovered, which hits upon a theme I've been repeating throughout my presentations here: Information laundering is alive and well, and one of the most powerful tools disinformation actors have in their arsenals as we careen toward November. …

Nina Jankowicz /
@wiczipedia@threads.net: These folks aren't doing due diligence about who is paying them, and millions of Americans are going to them for “unvarnished” takes on the news of the day. I'll close with the single best piece of advice I can give anyone trying to navigate this complex information environment:

Nina Jankowicz /
@wiczipedia@threads.net: There is a *second* document unsealed by the DOJ today, seizing 32 domains in the ongoing Russian “Doppelganger” operation. Here's the most interesting bit to me: Russia recognizes the fissure that baseless allegations of “censorship” represent, and is amplifying it. https://www.justice.gov/... @coachfinstock.bsky.social: LMAO CBS news doing a bang up job hiding Tim Pools identity with Timcast in the back [image]

Rob Shearer /
@r.v.cx: I have never worked in media. But if someone says “we have people willing to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars a month for you to deliver your political message; no ads for mattresses or vitamins required” you know you're a salaried propagandist. [embedded post]

Rebekah Jones /
@georebekahjones@threads.net: Haha. One of the pro-Desantis accounts that's been harassing me on Xittee for years was just outed as a paid Russian asset in a criminal indictment.

Tommy /
@tommyg.bsky.social: “Hey the nice Russian man gave us lots of money and his friends did all our media homework. How we were to know that something was fishy?”

Mark Barrington /
@markbarrington.bsky.social: Victims? Or willing dupes? Opinions differ.

Jay /
@franklinjay.bsky.social: 💀💀💀 — imagine spending millions and the best you can do is the dumb fuck in a beanie? [embedded post]

Saeed Jones /
@theferocity.bsky.social: I made out with Benny Johnson in an empty dressing room at BuzzFeed holiday party in 2013. It haunts me to this day. 😩 — Anyway, it's funny that's he's done literally everything BUT come out of the closet. Men will literally become traitors to their country rather than go to therapy. …

Sarah Rumpf /
Mediaite: Dave Rubin, Benny Johnson, Tim Pool Exposed as Working For Alleged Russian Influence Operation in New DOJ Indictment

Eric Blair /
@protecttruth@mastodon.online: Story from Josh Kovensky. — The hosts aren't innocent “victims.” They regularly take money from toxic US billionaires, so it's a short leap to fake Russian billionaires. — https://talkingpointsmemo.com/ ...

Sarah K. Burris /
Raw Story: Right-wing U.S. media company linked to Russian propaganda effort: Dept. of Justice @metacurity@infosec.exchange: Oh man, the Biden admin's actions against Russian propaganda today do not bode well for Benny Johnson, Tim Pool, Lauren Southern, and Dave Rubin of the execrable Tenet Media. — Is this Right-Wing Media Platform the Product of a $10 Million Russian Plot? — https://talkingpointsmemo.com/ ...

Alex Woodward /
The Independent: U.S. accuses Russian state media of enlisting right-wing influencers to meddle in election

David Covucci /
The Daily Dot: Media start-up from Benny Johnson, Tim Pool, and Dave Rubin was secret Russian influence campaign, indictment alleges

Molly Knight /
@mollyknight.bsky.social: I'm sorry but Russia allegedly paid Benny Johnson $400K a MONTH to ratfuck our elections?????? [embedded post]

Bloomberg:

FCC filing: Larry Ellison will own 77.5% of National Amusements via a trust and series of corporations after his son David completes the purchase of Paramount— Paramount Global, the parent of CBS, will be controlled by software billionaire Larry Ellison after a group led by his son David completes …

Discussion:
Deadline, TVNewsCheck, The Register, The Information, @pkafka, @lucas_shaw, The Hollywood Reporter, New York Times, Variety, The Hill, The Wrap and New York Post, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:
Deadline: Skydance Tells FCC Paramount Deal Will Boost CBS And Local Stations; Larry Ellison Will Control Company After Merger

Christopher Palmeri /
TVNewsCheck: Paramount's Redstone To Reap $180 Million In Severance, Benefits

Simon Sharwood /
The Register: SQL king Larry Ellison becomes sequel sultan with controlling interest in Paramount Global

Martin Peers /
The Information: Verizon's Backflip — It's the investment bankers' dream—a company so desperate for growth …

Peter Kafka /
@pkafka: Larry Ellison. 4th-richest man in the world. Owns a big chunk of Hawaii, where his pal Elon stayed when he launched his Twitter bid. Owns a chunk of Twitter. Backs Donald Trump. Is buying CBS/Paramount for his son David. We really ought to spend more time talking about him. [image]

Lucas Shaw /
@lucas_shaw: Larry Ellison is the new Shari Redstone. The tech billionaire will control Paramount when its deal with Skydance is done. https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ ...

Alex Weprin /
The Hollywood Reporter: New Plan to “Revitalize” CBS Revealed In Filing by Skydance and Paramount

Todd Spangler /
Variety: Tech Tycoon Larry Ellison Will Control Paramount Global After Skydance Deal Closes: Filing

Dominick Mastrangelo /
The Hill: Larry Ellison will control majority of Paramount as result of Skydance deal

Lucas Manfredi /
The Wrap: Larry Ellison Will Hold Controlling Stake in Paramount Global With Skydance Merger, Filing Shows

Taylor Herzlich /
New York Post: Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison will control Paramount after Skydance deal: filing

RELATED:

Bloomberg:

Sources: Shari Redstone will get $180M in severance and other benefits on top of $350 from the sale of her 20% stake in National Amusements— Shari Redstone, chair of Paramount Global, will get $180 million in severance and other benefits on top of hundreds of millions from the sale …

Discussion:
Reuters and Financial Times

Washington Post:

US politicians could curtail the free press using tactics common among some foreign leaders, but the press must resist being baited into taking a political side— Some foreign leaders have ruthlessly curtailed journalism. U.S. politicians could draw from their playbook.

Discussion:
Axios, Poynter, New York Times, Nicholas Thompson on LinkedIn, @brucewilson, @robertbalkovich, @maloney4nassau, @jeffjarvis, @nytimespr, @robertbalkovich, @albertemartinez, @nxthompson, Campaign Trails, @davmicrot@threads.net, @jeffjarvis, @brianstelter, @mbrauchli@threads.net, @tomgara@threads.net, Anne Applebaum on LinkedIn, @bgrueskin, @scarylawyerguy, Warwick Sabin on LinkedIn, Newsbusters, Cristina Tardáguila on LinkedIn, @robertbalkovich, @kevinmkruse@threads.net, @froomkin, The Hill, @dangillmor@mastodon.social, CNN, @KathyLK@universeodon.com, @SohanDsouza@mstdn.social, @mastodonmigration …, Fox News, @edmundlee@threads.net, Mediaite, Media Nation, @brianstelter@threads.net, @dankennedy_nu@journa.host, @jackcarterbenjamin …, @WarnerCrocker@mastodon.social and r/Journalism

Discussion:

Sara Fischer /
Axios: U.S. news leaders sound alarm on press freedom

David Leonhardt /
New York Times: Smartphones in Schools — How educators are fighting against distractions.

Nicholas Thompson /
Nicholas Thompson on LinkedIn: “A new model is being crafted that aims to undermine the ability of journalists to freely gather and report the news. …

Bruce Wilson /
@brucewilson: @BGrueskin He thinks the NYT has, in terms of the upcoming election, shown journalistic neutrality? Oh my. Shall I remind us of 2016, when the NYT's relentless coverage of the Hillary Clinton email pseudo-scandal may have, in itself, tipped the 2016 election to Trump?

Robert Balkovich /
@robertbalkovich: The grave miscalculation Sulzberger et al have made is that neutrality is the same thing as the truth. It is not. If you are remaining neutral in the face of an obviously lopsided situation, you are actually aiding one side. In this case, it's the side that wants to destroy you.

Michael Maloney /
@maloney4nassau: The role of the New York Times & other media, according to NYT publisher A.G. Sulzberger, is not to protect democracy, but rather to simply chronicle its demise. 1/3 @jeffjarvis: A.G. Sulzberger warns that fascists hate the press. Perhaps he should care more about how they hate education, immigration, personal freedom and speech... Why fascists hate universities https://www.theguardian.com/ ...

@jeffjarvis:
I see surprisingly little discussion of AG Sulzberger's cris de cœur over Trump's threat to freedom of the press—but no one else's freedom—on Twitter (but much on Bluesky). Here is my thread about it. (Gift link to the column included.) https://x.com/... @nytimespr: The publisher of The New York Times, A.G. Sulzberger, has studied how attacks on press freedom have eroded democracies around the world. “This playbook should not be underestimated,” he writes in a @PostOpinions essay. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ...

Robert Balkovich /
@robertbalkovich: This is a passionate but fundamentally unserious essay. Sulzberger profiles how three world leaders curtailed press freedoms but refuses to acknowledge that they are all far-right politicians. That is not “neutrality,” it is denying a fundamental truth of the dynamic.

Alberto E. Martinez /
@albertemartinez: 4000 words of fan service to mainstream journos about ‘press freedom’ in Hungary and Brazil. 0 words about how the media's disgraceful passivity toward Kamala Harris undermines Americans' already low regard for the news industry. @nxthompson: “A new model is being crafted that aims to undermine the ability of journalists to freely gather and report the news. It's worth getting to know what this model looks like in action.” Very important piece by AG Sulzberger on the war on press freedom abroad—and what might

Kevin M. Kruse /
Campaign Trails: Fair and Balanced — This morning, New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger authored a piece …

David Rothschild /
@davmicrot@threads.net: AG Sulzberger XXXVIII is one of greatest threats to US democracy. Key quote in his absurd, meandering, self-aggrandizing op-ed: “I disagree with those who have suggested that the risk Trump poses to the free press is so high that news orgs such as mine should cast aside neutrality and directly oppose his reelection.” …

@jeffjarvis:
Shorter Sulzberger: First they came for Black, Latino, LGBTQ, Muslim, immigrant, pregnant, & poor people—their rights & their speech—but now that Trump could come for us... 1/ How the quiet war against press freedom could come to America (Gift link) https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ...

Brian Stelter /
@brianstelter: NYT publisher A.G. Sulzberger is out with a crucial new essay about risks to press freedom. Read it: https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ... [image]

Marcus Brauchli /
@mbrauchli@threads.net: Reading AG Sulzberger's excellent piece today recalled this piece I wrote eight years ago, which foreshadowed but didn't fully anticipate how bad it would get. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ...

Tom Gara /
@tomgara@threads.net: You see a post like this on here, buddy you better believe the replies are going to be absolutely insane

Anne Applebaum /
Anne Applebaum on LinkedIn: This - written, yes, by AG Sulzberger - is an excellent description of how democratically elected leaders in Hungary, India and elsewhere have used the law …

Bill Grueskin /
@bgrueskin: NY Times Publisher AG Sulzberger takes to the pages of the Washington Post to warn about threats to press freedom — abroad and in the US. He also writes about distinguishing between doing this and taking sides in the November election. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ... [image] @scarylawyerguy: Head spinning and also the height of absurdity for AG Sulzberger to pen this opinion piece when the newspaper he owns is among the worst perpetrators of sanitizing the threat Trump poses to the country. Just completely divorced from reality. [image]

Warwick Sabin /
Warwick Sabin on LinkedIn: A powerful and comprehensive rundown of the threats to press freedom by The New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger in today's The Washington Post includes …

Tim Graham /
Newsbusters: Sulzberger with Cheese: NYT Publisher Claims He's Not Political, But Trump's Authoritarian!

Cristina Tardáguila /
Cristina Tardáguila on LinkedIn: Today was the day A.G. Sulzberger, the publisher of The New York Times, quoted me in an article about the state of democracies and media, highlighting the risks Brazilian journalists face today. …

Robert Balkovich /
@robertbalkovich: You cannot both spill thousands of words on the dangers the free press currently faces while also saying that the appearance of neutrality must be upheld above all else and expect that to make any difference in this world. Are you willing to fight for your freedoms or not?

Kevin Kruse /
@kevinmkruse@threads.net: This is embarrassingly bad, and you should be embarrassed for promoting it.

Dan Froomkin /
@froomkin: NYT's Sulzberger warns of the threat Trump poses to a free press, but insists that he has “no interest in wading into politics” and that the NYT shouldn't take sides. This is not “independence,” it's nonsense. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ...

Miranda Nazzaro /
The Hill: NYT publisher warns Trump could crack down on press freedom in Washington Post editorial

Dan Gillmor /
@dangillmor@mastodon.social: It's mind-boggling that the publisher of the New York Times didn't post this on his own organization's website. — And it is perfectly in keeping with his organization's refusal to recognize reality — and its relentless normalization of extremists who hate democracy and want to kill freedom of the press …

CNN:
New York Times publisher sounds the alarm on Trump employing authoritarian anti-press ‘playbook’ @KathyLK@universeodon.com: Sulzberger, the publisher of the #NYT, whines today in the #WashingtonPost about “freedom of the press.” Considering the New York Times has been at the forefront of normalizing Trump and treating him as though he is a “serious” candidate for president, while taking potshots at Harris …

Sohan Dsouza /
@SohanDsouza@mstdn.social: 〝Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has a history of carrying out these “tax surveys,” as authorities called them, against independent Indian news organizations whose reporting has incurred his regime's wrath. Given the timing, it wasn't difficult to discern what triggered the government raid.〞 … @mastodonmigration@mastodon.online: Well worth reading today is New York Times publisher A. G. Sulberger's long opinion piece in the Washington Post ostensibly in defense of press freedom from Trump. — https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ... Would also recommend reading the comments. … Fox News: NYT publisher warns of Trump using authoritarian playbook to ‘increase attacks’ on press during 2nd term

Ed Lee /
@edmundlee@threads.net: AG Sulzberger, the publisher of @nytimes, lays out the playbook that authoritarians like Viktor Orban and Narendra Modi have used to successfully kill an independent press. — Trump now looks to these guys for inspiration if he wins a second term: — https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ...

David Gilmour /
Mediaite: NY Times Publisher Sounds Alarm on Trump Employing Anti-Press ‘Authoritarian’ Playbook in Washington Post Editorial

Brian Stelter /
@brianstelter@threads.net: NYT publisher A.G. Sulzberger is out with a crucial new essay about risks to press freedom. Read it: https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ... [image]

Dan Kennedy /
@dankennedy_nu@journa.host: Trump's anti-free press, anti-First Amendment agenda follows a playbook designed in Hungary, India and Brazil, writes New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger in — uh, the Washington Post. JournalismThreads https://wapo.st/3ZfmRNg

Jack Benjamin /
@jackcarterbenjamin@threads.net: In an extensive op-ed for WaPo, NYT publisher AG Sulzberger warned of Trump's efforts to undermine the free press but stayed firm in his paper's commitment to remaining politically neutral. — “I disagree with those who have suggested that the risk Trump poses to the free press is so high that news organizations such as mine should cast aside neutrality and directly oppose his reelection. …

Warner Crocker /
@WarnerCrocker@mastodon.social: Odd coming from Sulzberger given his paper's approach to this election. Also that it's in the Washington Post. — Opinion | How the quiet war against press freedom could come to America — #politics #journalism — https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ... [image]

TechCrunch:

YouTube announces AI detection tools to protect against copying creators' likeness, including their faces and voices, and plans to offer AI scraping controls— YouTube on Thursday announced a new set of AI detection tools to protect creators, including artists, actors …

Discussion:

Amjad Hanif /
YouTube Official Blog: New tools to protect creators and artists

Jess Weatherbed /
The Verge: YouTube is making new tools to protect creators from AI copycats

Sam Gutelle /
Tubefilter: YouTube gears up for election season by enlisting creators to combat deepfakes

Dylan Smith /
Digital Music News: YouTube Unveils Voice-Detection Tool Targeting AI-Powered ‘Synthetic Singing,’ Eyes 2025 Launch

Daniel Tencer /
Music Business Worldwide: YouTube is developing tools to detect AI-generated voices and faces in videos

Alex Weprin /
The Hollywood Reporter: YouTube Develops Tool to Allow Creators to Detect AI-Generated Content Using Their Likeness

Sabrina Quagliozzi /
The Media Leader: YouTube takes aim at AI misuse

Will Shanklin /
Engadget: YouTube is making tools to detect face and voice deepfakes

Wall Street Journal:

Leaked Disney files include personal data of some staff and customers and show that Disney+ had $2.4B+ revenue in Disney's March quarter, or ~43% of DTC revenue— Data trove sheds light on entertainment giant's operations, and exposes personal data of some staff and customers

Discussion:

Steve Layne /
Steve Layne on LinkedIn: Insider Threat and Risk vectors only come in three forms. Accidental, Negligent, or Malicious human behaviours. …

Luke Bouma /
Cord Cutters News: Disney+ Rakes in $2.4 Billion in Q2 Revenue, Leaked Documents Reveal

David Satin /
The Streamable: Hacked Data Shows How Valuable Hulu is as Disney and Comcast Spar Over Price

Sabrina Quagliozzi /
The Media Leader: Disney data leak exposes sensitive information, financial insights

Ariel Zilber /
New York Post: Leaked Disney data includes secrets on Disney+, ESPN+ and Genie theme park passes: report

CNBC:

The UK CMA objects to Google's ad tech practices, and says Google's “self-preferences” on its own ad exchange harms competition, advertisers, and publishers— LONDON — Britain's competition watchdog on Friday issued a statement of objections over Google's ad tech practices …

Discussion:
Advanced Television, Reuters, TechCrunch, GOV.UK, KAAL-TV, London Evening Standard, Bloomberg and The Drum, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

Colin Mann /
Advanced Television: CMA objects to Google's ad tech practices

Paul Sandle /
Reuters: Google abusing power over website ads, UK regulator says

Natasha Lomas /
TechCrunch: Google faces provisional antitrust charges in UK for ‘self-preferencing’ its ad exchange KAAL-TV: Google is blasted by UK watchdog for what it calls anti-competitive behavior through digital ads

Kendra Barnett /
The Drum: What we know about Google's upcoming adtech antitrust trial - and how it might play out

Werd I/O:

By secretly paying some creators to post on Threads, Meta is undermining trust in everyone's motivations as people assume every user is “engagement farming”— Yesterday the Internet Archive lost its appeal in the digital lending case it's been fighting for the last few years.

Discussion:
@scojjac@threads.net, @guillecummings@threads.net, @jenvalentino_nyt@threads.net, @ben.werdmuller@threads.net, @joanwestenberg@threads.net, @willoremus@threads.net, @katienotopoulos@threads.net, @jampacksam@threads.net, @baldur@toot.cafe, @alterelefant@mastodontech.de, @CWSmith@social …, @shansterable@c.im, @BigAngBlack@fosstodon.org, @matt@oslo.town, @istuetzle@zirk.us and @nixCraft@mastodon.social, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

Scott Jaramillo Jack /
@scojjac@threads.net: Another instance where the Instagram connection is harming Threads. - paying IG influencers to post here - showing posts from here on Facebook and Instagram - surreptitiously cross-posting from Facebook to here - being connected by default to an Instagram account when people use the two apps VERY differently and often don't want them mixing (see recent Brazil Xodus) @guillecummings@threads.net: The bad part is who they are choosing to pay. Instead of giving threads bonuses to the people who helped build communities here, like NBAThreads which caused the NBA to become active on here, they are paying IG influencers who couldn't give AF about Threads. It's terrible.

Jennifer Valentino-DeVries /
@jenvalentino_nyt …: My timeline is filling up with a bunch of tech journalists posting annoying Threads engagement bait to be funny. I'm sure this is temporary, so I don't want to unfollow these people, but it's driving me crazy. I don't know what to do about it. Does anyone have any ideas?

Ben Werdmüller /
@ben.werdmuller@threads.net: I mean, let me be totally clear: if they wanted to pay me $5K a post I would probably think about taking the money. And then not post any differently at all

Joan Westenberg /
@joanwestenberg@threads.net: Gonna start posting engagement bait questions and limiting the replies just to really fuck with the algorithm

Will Oremus /
@willoremus@threads.net: as many have figured out, the easiest path to engagement on threads is to ask a question that has an obvious or easily-googled answer. better yet if you seem ignorant or wrongheaded in the process, so that people feel the need to correct you. you'll get tons of replies, which threads' algo interprets as a “conversation” worth amplifying

Katie Notopoulos /
@katienotopoulos@threads.net: Ssssh will don't give it away

JampackSam /
@jampacksam@threads.net: The engagement farming accusations are always so strange to me. I think it's partly because most people on Threads even this early, a year and some change out from launch, are deeply tuned into the social landscape and weird ways people try to leverage platforms to get attention. …

Baldur Bjarnason /
@baldur@toot.cafe: “Threads is trading trust for growth” — https://werd.io/... Threads sounds exactly as unpleasant as I imagined a Twitter clone made by the Instagram team to be.

Frank Heijkamp /
@alterelefant@mastodontech.de: @Theriac @matt @ben An identifiable IP-address is not even the worst thing. They fingerprint your device and can identify it throughout its lifetime.

C.W. Smith /
@CWSmith@social.mechanizedarmadillo.com: @ben — The question is though, is it any worse than the engagement farming that occurs on other platforms that monitize member content. — What is it compared to X, YouTube, Odysee, or Rumble? — And how big a problem is Engagement farming in general when you look at all monitize platforms as a whole?

Shannon Skinner /
@shansterable@c.im: @ben — Meta inserts Thread posts made by accounts that I don't follow into my Facebook feed. That tells me all I need to know about how great Threads is. — I don't even want to be on Facebook, except I check it for posts from family. …

Matt /
@matt@oslo.town: @ben Influencers must disclose their advertising activities as required by #EU consumer law. 🇪🇺 — I wonder if being paid to use a social network falls within that and there's some law being broken here. 🤔 — https://commission.europa.eu/ ... @istuetzle@zirk.us: THE INTERNET ARCHIVE has lost a major legal battle—in a decision that could have a significant impact on the future of internet history. — https://www.wired.com/... @nixCraft@mastodon.social: The Internet Archive Loses Its Appeal of a Major Copyright Case https://www.wired.com/... Next, all AI companies should also lose access to copyrighted books and art. Why are tech bros allowed to breach copyright? The law should be applied equally to all.

New York Times:

J. Richard Munro, who was Time's CEO from 1980 to 1990 and led the publication through its acquisition of Warner Communications, died on August 11 at age 93— As president and C.E.O., he expanded Time Inc.'s offerings, fended off a hostile takeover and built the world's largest media company.

Discussion:
BNN Bloomberg and Deadline

Discussion:

The Guardian:

YouTube begins limiting repeated video recommendations about fitness levels, body weights, physical features, and more to teens globally, expanding from the US— Platform will ensure algorithms do not keep pushing similar content to young viewers, even though it does not breach guidelines

Discussion:
@svenvd_zee, Tubefilter, YouTube Official Blog, Alison Lomax on LinkedIn, BBC, MediaPost, UPI, The Wrap, TechCrunch, Engadget and The Verge

Discussion:
@svenvd_zee: So YouTube is now shadow banning fitness videos for teens. It is apparently a bad thing to promote being healthy and strong to teens on YouTube I think teens will become more unhealthy because of this https://techcrunch.com/...

Sam Gutelle /
Tubefilter: YouTube wants to shield teens from eating disorder videos. Parents can help.

Dr. Garth Graham /
YouTube Official Blog: Expanding our support for teen wellbeing on YouTube across Europe

Alison Lomax /
Alison Lomax on LinkedIn: Thanks The Guardian for covering YouTube's new teen wellbeing features, announced today in the UK. — We have launched additional safeguards …

Katharine Sharpe /
BBC: YouTube restricts teenager access to fitness videos

Colin Kirkland /
MediaPost: YouTube Adds Safeguards Limiting Teen Exposure To Weight Loss, Exercise Videos

Doug Cunningham /
UPI: YouTube adopts new teen safeguards on body weight, social aggression content

Aisha Malik /
TechCrunch: YouTube to limit teens' exposure to videos about fitness and weight across global markets

Mariella Moon /
Engadget: YouTube will limit fitness and weight video recommendations to European teens

Jess Weatherbed /
The Verge: YouTube is limiting videos about weight and appearance for teens

BBC:

Spotify wins a long-running, complicated music rights case in US district court, where Eminem publisher Eight Mile Style claimed Spotify lacked proper licenses— Spotify has won a long-running court case, in which it was accused of streaming Eminem's music without permission.

Discussion:
Billboard, Rolling Stone and Music Business Worldwide, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

Bill Donahue /
Billboard: Spotify Beats Eminem Publisher's Lawsuit Over Billions of Rapper's Streams

Conor Lochrie /
Rolling Stone: Spotify Wins Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Over Eminem Royalties Due to Legal Loophole

Daniel Tencer /