Top News:
Ryan Grim / Drop Site News:
An investigation finds that OCCRP, which works with major newspapers on scoops like the Panama Papers, is primarily bankrolled by the US and its Western allies — Drew Sullivan is unknown to the broad public, but the head of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project is one of the most influential journalists in the world.
RELATED:
Yann Philippin / Mediapart:
Docs: German public broadcaster NDR shelved an investigation it started into OCCRP as part of a consortium due to pressure from OCCRP co-founder Drew Sullivan — After launching an investigation into the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), and after subsequently inviting Mediapart …
Discussion:
@ryangrim and @ryangrim.bsky.social
Kat Tenbarge / NBC News:
Some reporters say they are finding more readers and less hate on Bluesky, as Elon Musk turns X into an increasingly difficult place for journalists — Journalists are finding more readers and less hate on Bluesky than on the platform they used to know as Twitter.
Discussion:
Engadget, The Irish Times, Sharon Machlis on LinkedIn, @jayrosen.bsky.social, @duanedichiara, BizPac Review, @lonsj.bsky.social, Dr. Carsten Stöcker on LinkedIn, RedState, @malignant-ficus.bsky.social, @threnody.bsky.social, Alexis B. on LinkedIn, CBS News, Simon Owens on LinkedIn, @gemmaclark.bsky.social, @bigbluewaveusa.bsky.social, @ashtonpittman.bsky.social, @thechrisbenson.bsky.social, @takethelongway.bsky.social, @americanfietser.com, @alexhuot.bsky.social, @newhercules.bsky.social, @grrlscientist@mastodon.social, Le Monde, Boston Herald and The Hill
Financial Times:
OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar says OpenAI is weighing an ads model, but plans to be “thoughtful”; sources and LinkedIn analysis: OpenAI hired Meta and Google ad talent — ChatGPT maker hires advertising talent from big tech rivals — OpenAI is discussing plans to introduce advertising …
Discussion:
@moonalice.com, MediaPost, @cianodonnell.bsky.social, The Register, @marypcbuk.bsky.social, @evacide.bsky.social, @impemboganecue.bsky.social, @alexhanna.bsky.social, @parismarx.com, The Times, @yeets.biz, @eric_seufert, @drewharwell.com, @richarddmorey.bsky.social, Futurism, @edzitron.com, @beaverstanacct.bsky.social, @markriedl.bsky.social, @fittarelli.com, @bsky.esghound.com, @mrdylancollins, @jamespmcleod.ca, @myhamismad.bsky.social, The Drum, @eaplind.bsky.social, TechCrunch, Craig Elimeliah on LinkedIn, @scribandotcom@mastodon.social, TechCrunch, @mugrimm.bsky.social, The Wrap, @sethrosenthal.bsky.social, @ohmrun@cr8r.gg and @lukaszolejnik.bsky.social, more at Techmeme »
John Jurgensen / Wall Street Journal:
Paramount co-CEO Chris McCarthy aims to revitalize Showtime by using successful formulas like Yellowstone from Paramount+ and investing in high-profile projects — Before a new owner takes over, the TV brand once known for ‘Billions’ and ‘Homeland’ is working to come up with new marquee hits
Discussion:
Liza Burnett Fefferman on LinkedIn and @mediaevan
Sapna Maheshwari / New York Times:
How YouTuber Ms. Rachel, whose baby-focused educational videos get 100M views, has attracted huge interest from toy companies and publishers before the holidays — About a year and a half ago, Laura Henderson, a toy company executive and 38-year-old mother in Toronto, was at the tail end of maternity leave with her second child.
Discussion:
@knowledge_vital, @yoda and @dru.bsky.social
Ben Smith / Semafor:
The Verge plans to launch a $7/month or $50/year sitewide paywall on Tuesday; some content and the publication's social feed-like homepage will remain free — Vox Media, parent company of New York Magazine, is preparing to announce several changes aimed at boosting revenue and rewarding its most faithful subscribers.
Discussion:
@alex, @matthewkeyslive, @maxwelltani, Payday Report, @torriangray.bsky.social, @bdsams.com, @alex and Talking Biz News
Will Shanklin / Engadget:
Crunchyroll plans to use a tiered rollout to require a paid subscription to watch past episode 206 of manga series One Piece — The Sony-owned anime streamer will require a paid subscription to watch past episode 206. — Three years after buying Crunchyroll for over $1 billion …
Discussion:
@crunchyroll and Screen Rant
Scott Roxborough / The Hollywood Reporter:
Pulse Films co-founder Thomas Benski unveils Lumina, a “talent and IP-led media group” with a “mid-eight figure” backing from BFK, Dorfman Media, and SVS — The Pulse Films co-founder unveiled his new venture, which claims “mid-eight figure” backing from the likes …
Discussion:
Variety, WORLD SCREEN and Deadline
Mark Stenberg / Adweek:
Tastemade says it has hit 100K+ Tastemade+ paying subscribers since the service's relaunch in 2023, and is launching Tastemade Cooking, its first recipe app — The new product is subscriber-only and a central part of the growing Tastemade+ ecosystem — The independent food publisher Tastemade launched …
Discussion:
@simonowens.bsky.social and @markstenberg3
Drew Harwell / Washington Post:
A look at “influencer creep”, as Trump and his allies adopt influencer tactics to hawk products, boost political points, and promote their personal brands — The president-elect and some in his proposed Cabinet are adopting influencer tactics to hawk products, boost political points and promote their personal brands.
Ido David Cohen / Haaretz:
A site linked to Israel's ruling Likud party publishes a list ranking presenters from public radio Kan Reshet Bet according to their support for the government — Melukadim News publishes a list ranking Kan Reshet Bet presenters by their government support, as the government advances a bill to privatize the broadcaster.