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☆ States target AI and deepfakes as election interference threat looms
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-31 | by ( Piper Hudspethblackburn | Piper Hudspeth Blackburn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

While Michigan, Washington, Minnesota, Texas and California already had laws regulating deepfakes, Minnesota updated their law this year to require a candidate to forfeit their office or nomination if they violate the state’s deepfake laws, among other provisions. In states such as New York, New Mexico and Alabama, victims can seek a court order to stop the content. Katie Hobbs signed his proposal into law in May, along with another AI bill that requires disclosures in campaign ads. Big Tech has already taken some steps to moderate deepfake content. TikTok and Meta (the parent company of Instagram, Threads and Facebook) announced plans in recent months to label AI content, while YouTube requires creators to disclose when videos are AI-created.

Persons: deepfakes, Amy Beth Cyphert, Cyphert, Alexander Kolodin, Kolodin, it’s, ”, Katie Hobbs, Robert Weissman, Chuck Schumer, Sen, Mitch McConnell, Weissman, Sean Cooksey, It’s, Jessica Rosenworcel, ” Jonathan Uriarte, there’s, Dar’shun Kendrick, “ there’s, ” Kendrick, Alex Curtas, CNN’s Oliver Darcy, Sean Lyngaas, Donie O’Sullivan, Yahya Abou, Ghazala Organizations: CNN, Republican, Democrat, Department of Homeland Security, West Virginia University’s College of Law, ” Arizona Democratic Gov, Big Tech, Meta, YouTube, Swift, Public Citizen, House, Federal, Commission, Federal Communication Commission, FCC, . State Locations: Florida, Hawaii , New York , Idaho , Indiana, New Mexico , Oregon , Utah , Wisconsin , Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, Washington , Minnesota , Texas, California, deepfakes, Minnesota, New York, New Mexico, Alabama, Florida , Mississippi, Utah, Wisconsin, Oregon and Mississippi, statehouses, robocalls, Georgia, . Arizona

☆ Far-right Gateway Pundit sought bankruptcy protection in ‘bad faith’ to avoid 2020 defamation suits, judge rules
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-25 | by ( Marshall Cohen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The ruling Wednesday from US bankruptcy judge Mindy Mora means the defamation cases will move forward. The Gateway Pundit “remains both balance sheet and cash flow solvent,” Mora wrote in her ruling. There is only the (defamation cases) in which [The Gateway Pundit] must defend itself. Over the years, The Gateway Pundit has become infamous for its publishing of hyper-partisan blog posts, many of which advance dangerous lies and conspiracy theories. The Gateway Pundit is one of several right-wing media outlets grappling with the fallout stemming from its promotion of 2020 election lies.

Persons: Mindy Mora, ” Mora, That’s, Brittany Williams, Ruby Freeman, Shaye Moss, “, Freeman, Moss, ” Williams, Jim Hoft, Trump, MAGA, CNN’s Oliver Darcy Organizations: Washington CNN, Gateway, Dominion Voting Systems, ”, CNN, Protect Democracy, Fox News, News, Dominion Locations: Georgia, Smartmatic

☆ Judge allows Trump lawsuit against ABC and George Stephanopoulos
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-24 | by ( Marshall Cohen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Washington CNN —A federal judge on Wednesday refused to dismiss former President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against ABC News and George Stephanopoulos over the anchor’s assertion that a jury concluded Trump had “raped” E. Jean Carroll. Trump filed the lawsuit in Florida federal court earlier this year, arguing that Stephanopoulos and the network defamed him when Stephanopoulos said during a contentious on-air interview with Rep. Nancy Mace that a jury found Trump had “raped” Carroll, a writer whose own cases against Trump led to him being found liable for sexual abuse. ABC News did not immediately respond to a CNN request for comment. In the Trump-ABC lawsuit, US District Judge Cecilia Altonaga, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, wrote Wednesday that these definitions were different enough to let the case move forced. His analysis necessarily focused on what Carroll had and had not proved at trial, as well as the harm Carroll experienced from (Trump’s) abuse.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, George Stephanopoulos, Trump, ”, Jean Carroll, Stephanopoulos, Nancy Mace, ” Carroll, Carroll, Trump’s countersuit, Lewis Kaplan, ’, Cecilia Altonaga, George W, Bush, “, ” Altonaga, “ Judge Kaplan, Mace, —, ” Altonaga ‘, Kaplan, ” Trump, Altonaga’s, CNN’s Oliver Darcy Organizations: Washington CNN, ABC News, Trump, ABC, CNN, New York Penal, WIN, “ ABC Locations: Florida, Manhattan, Carroll, New York, York

☆ Disney trounces activist shareholders in a major win for Bob Iger
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Allison Morrow | Hadas Gold | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —Disney won a hard-fought proxy battle against a group of activist investors who sought to secure seats on the company’s board of directors. Disney’s board triumphed by what the company called “a substantial margin” over the nominees put forward by Trian Fund Management and Blackwells Capital at its annual shareholder meeting. Iger didn’t just beat Trian’s Nelson Peltz, but trounced him, according to a person familiar with the vote count. Jay Rasulo, the former Disney finance chief who joined Peltz’s attempt, also lost by a wide margin, the person said. Retail shareholders, which hold roughly 35% of Disney stock, also voted overwhelmingly – 75% – for Disney’s candidates.

Persons: New York CNN — Disney, Bob Iger, Disney’s, —, Trian, didn’t, Trian’s Nelson Peltz, Jay Rasulo, Peltz’s, Peltz, ”, ” Iger, ” Peltz, Iger, CNN’s Oliver Darcy, Samantha Delouya, Oliver Darcy Organizations: New, New York CNN, Trian Fund Management, Blackwells, Disney, Retail, Financial Times, Republicans, Marvel, CNBC, Trian Partners Locations: New York, refocusing, Trian

☆ Former RNC chair McDaniel calls January 6 Capitol attack ‘unacceptable’ after years of deflection
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Casey Gannon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Former Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel on Sunday called the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol “unacceptable” after years of deflecting on the issue. McDaniel, who is joining NBC News as a political analyst after exiting the RNC earlier this month, told the outlet that the Capitol riot “doesn’t represent our country. It certainly does not represent my party.”“We should not be attacking the Capitol; we should not be having violence,” she added. Asked why she didn’t offer such condemnation as RNC chairwoman, McDaniel responded, “When you’re the RNC chair, you kind of take one for the whole team. McDaniel acknowledged Sunday that Biden won the 2020 election “fair and square” even as she voiced concern over “issues” with the vote.

Persons: Ronna McDaniel, McDaniel, ”, Donald Trump, Trump, “, Michael Whatley, Lara Trump, ” McDaniel, Joe Biden, Biden, we’ve, … we’ve, ” CNN’s Oliver Darcy, Kaitlan Collins, Daniel Strauss, Michelle Shen, Avery Lotz Organizations: CNN, Former Republican National, Capitol, NBC News, RNC, GOP, Trump, ”, NBC, ” The Michigan Department, Michigan Locations: Michigan, Detroit

☆ Putin gets a propaganda opportunity as Congress dithers over Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Zachary Wolf | Analysis Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

► Russian President Vladimir Putin was about to be isolated worldwide as a pariah. They also fact-check Carlson on his assertion that US media organizations have not tried to interview Putin. From their report:In fact, journalists have repeatedly been requesting interviews with Putin, but the Russian president had declined to grant access. Ukraine funding has run dryThe Pentagon has essentially exhausted the money Congress allocated for Ukraine over the past two years. In the Senate, there is support for Ukraine aid.

Persons: Tucker Carlson, Vladimir Putin, ► Elon Musk, Donald Trump, ► Putin, Carlson, Trump, Joe Biden, Putin, X Carlson, CNN’s Oliver Darcy, ”, Darcy, Alexei Navalny, Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Vadim Krasikov, CNN’s Nathan Hodge, Katharina Krebs, Helen Regan, Tucker Carlson's, CNN Putin, Webster, Volodymyr Zelensky, Valerii, Zelensky, Biden, autocrats, Sen, Rand Paul of, Mitch McConnell, Mike Johnson, Johnson Organizations: CNN, Fox News, unflappable, Twitter, Republicans, Republican, Pentagon, SpaceX, Putin, Street, Big Tech, Trump, Biden, NATO Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Moscow, bewilderment, US, Chechen, Berlin, Russian, West, Ukrainian, Mariupol, Merriam, Israel, Rand Paul of Kentucky

☆ Sports Illustrated lays off most, possibly all, of its staff
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —The future of Sports Illustrated was uncertain Friday after the publisher of the iconic magazine and website laid off most or “probably all” of its guild-represented staff, its union said. In a memo sent to staff viewed by CNN, the magazine’s publisher said it is “laying off staff that work on the SI brand.”Authentic Brands Group has owned the magazine and website since 2019. “This is another difficult day in what has been a difficult four years for Sports Illustrated under Arena Group (previously The Maven) stewardship,” the union said in a statement on X. The union said it expects the Arena Group to honor its union contract and for all of its employees to be treated fairly. Levinsohn was replaced, effective immediately, by interim chief executive Manoj Bhargava, the 5-Hour Energy founder who owns a majority stake in The Arena Group, said Vince Bodiford, a spokesperson for Bhargava.

Persons: ABG, Manoj Bhargava, Mitch Goldich, It’s, Ross Levinsohn, Levinsohn, Vince Bodiford, Bhargava, CNN’s Oliver Darcy, Liam Reilly Organizations: New, New York CNN, Sports, CNN, SI, Arena Group, Sports Illustrated, ”, Hour Energy, Group, The Locations: New York

☆ Nelson Peltz renews proxy fight against Disney
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Activist shareholder Nelson Peltz’s Trian Fund Management has launched a new proxy fight against Disney, just months after backing off from its earlier push after returned chief executive Bob Iger announced a vast cost-cutting plan for the media conglomerate. Trian declined to comment on how many seats it is seeking on Disney’s board, but said in the release that Disney has turned down its request for representation, including for Peltz. Trian’s reignition of its proxy fight comes a day after Disney revealed a shuffle to its board, with Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman and former CEO of Sky Jeremy Darroch to join as new directors. Peltz in January launched a bid for a seat on Disney’s board after the company fired Bob Chapek in November 2022. We will be watching,” Peltz said on CNBC shortly after the conclusion of Iger’s TV interview in February, where the chief executive laid out his cost-cutting plan, addressed right-wing criticism of Disney and his decision to return to the company.

Persons: Nelson Peltz’s, Bob Iger, ” Trian, Trian, Trian’s, Morgan Stanley, James Gorman, Sky Jeremy Darroch, ” “, ” Disney, Peltz, Bob Chapek, Chapek, Iger’s, Iger, “, ” Peltz, Disney, ” Iger, I’ve, ” — CNN’s Oliver Darcy Organizations: New, New York CNN, Management, Disney, Peltz, Sky, Walt Disney Company, Disney Parks, CNBC Locations: New York, Florida

☆ Here are the dozen brands that have paused ads on X amid ongoing crisis for Elon Musk’s platform
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Clare Duffy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —At least a dozen major brands have halted ad spending on X, formerly Twitter, since its latest advertiser exodus began last week over concerns about antisemitism and hate speech on Elon Musk’s social media platform. The ongoing exit of advertisers marks a deepening crisis for X, which was already struggling to woo brands back to the platform following Musk’s takeover last year. IBM’s decision also came after Musk had publicly endorsed an antisemitic conspiracy theory in a post on X earlier in the week. X also said it had made the pro-Nazi accounts identified by Media Matters ineligible for monetization, meaning ads can no longer be run on their pages. (Media Matters has vowed to fight the lawsuit from X and says it stands by its reporting.)

Persons: Axios, they’d, Musk, Apple, Linda Yaccarino, Richard Spencer, —, CNN’s Oliver Darcy, Liam Reilly, Brian Fung Organizations: New, New York CNN, Elon, Fox Sports, Ubisoft, TechCrunch, Paris, CNN, White, IBM, Media, Disney, Paramount, Comcast, Lionsgate, NBCUniversal, Warner Bros, Media Matters, University of Michigan, D.C, National Football League Locations: New York, Washington

☆ Legal experts blast Elon Musk filing lawsuit in Texas against Media Matters
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

“The complaint admits that the thing Media Matters was making a big deal about actually happened,” Vladeck said. According to Musk, Media Matters established a test account following extremist material and then refreshed the feed until X’s ad system displayed an ad for major brands. “It’s one of those lawsuits that’s filed more for symbolism than for substance.”Media Matters’ responseIn a statement Monday evening, Media Matters President Angelo Carusone vowed to defend the group against the suit. “Media Matters stands behind its reporting and looks forward to winning in court.”Some legal experts suggested that Media Matters’ first course of action may be to try to move the case out of the Texas federal court. “Musk and his lawyers seek to isolate Media Matters’ investigation as the sole reason major advertisers have joined the exodus from X.

Persons: Elon, “, Ted Boutrous, Boutrous, Steve Vladeck, ” Vladeck, Mark Pittman, Donald Trump, Joe Biden’s, X, ’ ”, Joan Donovan, ” Akiva Cohen, Klein, Musk, ’ ” Cohen, ” Cohen, Ken Paxton, Andrew Bailey, ”, that’s, Angelo Carusone, ” Carusone, Ken White, “ X, ” White, Nora Benavidez, “ Musk, ” Benavidez, – CNN’s Oliver Darcy, Jon Passantino Organizations: CNN, Media, X, Twitter, University of Texas, Court, Northern, Northern District of, Nazi, Musk, Boston University, YouTube, Elon, Texas, ”, “, Washington , D.C, District of, Free Press Locations: Texas, Northern District, Northern District of Texas, Kamerman, New York, Missouri, California, Washington ,, District of Columbia, Los Angeles

☆ Vice to end several news shows and lay off dozens of staffers in hollowing out of news division
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Liam Reilly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Vice Media, the one-time digital media darling that has seen its value and influence greatly diminish in recent years, moved on Thursday to further hollow out its once prestigious news division, shutting down several shows and laying off dozens of staffers. “To be clear, Vice News is not going away,” the company’s co-chief executives, Bruce Dixon and Hozefa Lokhandwala, said in a memo to staff obtained by CNN. “Vice will continue to produce digital news, as well as Vice News documentaries, both series and films, for FAST Channels, streaming services and other partners.”In April, Vice Media ended “Vice News Tonight,” its flagship program, citing restructuring that would result in cuts across the organization, CNN previously reported. In June, the digital media company was purchased by three investment companies, including Fortress Investment Group, for $350 million. A person familiar with the matter said “less than 100” staffers would be laid off.

Persons: “, Bruce Dixon, Hozefa Lokhandwala, ”, Dixon, Lokhandwala, CJTtiYXJML —, ” CNN’s Oliver Darcy Organizations: CNN —, Media, CNN, “, FAST, Fortress Investment, Union, Company

☆ William Lewis is named publisher of the Washington Post
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( Manav Tanneeru | Luciana Lopez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —The Washington Post on Saturday named news media veteran William Lewis as its new publisher and CEO at a critical time for newspaper, as it contends with financial trouble, a rapidly shifting media environment and a looming presidential election. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos bought the Washington Post in 2013, and the paper’s traffic surged in the years immediately after, particularly after former President Donald Trump took office. As with much of the news industry, the Washington Post has faced a reckoning as Americans’ reading habits have shifted in recent years. Previous publisher and chief executive Fred Ryan announced in June that he was stepping down after nearly a decade heading up the Washington Post. “Ten years ago, I made a commitment to the future of The Washington Post, inspired by its ambitious and consequential journalism,” said Bezos in a statement.

Persons: William Lewis, Lewis, ” Lewis, Dow Jones, Jeff Bezos, Donald Trump, Patty Stonesifer, Fred Ryan, Stonesifer, ”, Will, ” CNN’s Oliver Darcy Organizations: New, New York CNN, Washington Post, Wall Street, Amazon, Interim, The Washington Post Locations: New York

☆ Bob Iger is supposed to save Disney. It’s not going according to plan
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“In some ways, the challenges are greater than I anticipated,” Iger told CNBC in a revealing interview last month. But under Iger 2.0, Disney has cultivated even more headaches for itself, including a morale crisis sparked by one surprisingly candid interview with CNBC on July 13. Naturally, the comments set off alarms within Disney General Entertainment Content, the division that operates Disney’s broadcast and cable networks. A few days after the Faber interview, Iger tried to smooth things over at an off-site meeting with senior managers. But Disney appears to be all-in on the boss, even though the sequel almost never lives up to the original.

Persons: Bob Iger, Dad ”, It’s, ” Iger, won’t, Mary Poppins, Iger, David Faber, Disney’s, David Paul Morris, Faber, CNN’s Oliver Darcy, can’t, Bob Chapek, Weeks, Chapek, Disney Organizations: New, New York CNN, Disney, CNBC, Hollywood, Rivals Comcast, Warner Bros ., Sun, ESPN, ABC, Disney Channel, Geographic, Allen & Co Media, Technology Conference, Bloomberg, Getty, Disney General Entertainment, Lucasfilm, Marvel Entertainment, Pixar Studios Locations: New York, Idaho, Sun Valley , Idaho

☆ Tucker Carlson is gone but Fox News' politics remain the same
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Fox News had plenty of reasons to get rid of Tucker Carlson. CNN’s Allison Morrow notes that Fox will need a Carlson upgrade of some kind because upstart conservative networks want into the same space. ET hour on Fox, and if it is any indication, there won’t be much new in the politics that are pushed on Fox’s viewers. On-screen, the words were “Biden’s Legacy: Crime in the Cities.”Related: Here’s a CNN Fact Check on the crime in Manhattan, which far below record levels. Biden legacy 2After declaring crime to be Biden’s legacy, Kilmeade transitioned.

The vote announced Monday afternoon showed 97.9% of participating union members voting to approve a potential strike. A file photo shows members of the Writers Guild of America walk the picket line in New York during their last strike in 2007. Unions typically conduct a strike authorization vote during the course of negotiations, and they almost always get approved by overwhelming margins. Negotiators for the AMPTP and the Writers Guild met at the negotiating table on Friday, according to one producer close to negotiations. AMPTP gave WGA new proposals in response to some of the Guild’s contract requests – and is awaiting review and feedback on those Monday, along with the strike vote results, the producer said.

☆ NPR criticizes Twitter for slapping it with a ‘state-affiliated media’ label
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

In a statement, NPR CEO John Lansing called the decision to lump NPR in with other outlets that Twitter identifies as being under government control as “unacceptable.”“We were disturbed to see last night that Twitter has labeled NPR as ‘state-affiliated media,’ a description that, per Twitter’s own guidelines, does not apply to NPR,” Lansing said. Twitter’s labels for state-affiliated media first rolled out in 2020. “State-financed media organizations with editorial independence, like the BBC in the UK or NPR in the US for example, will not be labeled,” Twitter said at the time. Then, on Wednesday, as a backlash unfolded to Twitter’s decision, sharp-eyed internet users noticed that Twitter had deleted NPR from the policy. Meanwhile other outlets similar to NPR, such as the BBC — which is also exempt from state-affiliated media labeling under Twitter’s policies — remain unlabeled.

CNN —Fox News said in a court filing Tuesday that it plans to put some of its most prominent executives and TV hosts on the witness stand to testify as part of its defense in the Dominion defamation trial. Fox will call these witnesses as part of their defense, but Dominion also wants to question them as part of their case. The list includes Fox TV hosts Tucker Carlson, Maria Bartiromo, Sean Hannity, and Bret Baier, as well as Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott and President Jay Wallace. Last week, a Delaware judge ruled that Dominion Voting Systems’ case against Fox News will go to jury trial in mid-April. Both Fox News and Dominion had previously asked the judge to declare them the outright winner without a trial.

☆ Musk’s Twitter promised a purge of blue check marks. Instead he singled out one account
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Clare Duffy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —Some VIP Twitter users woke up on Saturday expecting to have lost their coveted blue verification check marks in a previously announced purge by Elon Musk. But one high-profile account did lose its blue check over the weekend: the main account for the New York Times, which had previously told CNN it would not pay for verification. Although the New York Times’ main account lost its blue check, its other accounts, such as those for its arts, travel and books content, remained verified. Musk has been threatening to take away “legacy” blue check marks from users verified under Twitter’s old system since shortly after he bought Twitter last fall. In early November, Twitter launched the option for people paying for its Twitter Blue subscription service to receive blue checks.

Fox News also denies wrongdoing in the underlying Dominion case, and says it didn’t defame anyone. Last week, Grossberg filed explosive lawsuits in New York and Delaware accusing Fox News lawyers of pressuring her into providing misleading testimony in the Dominion case – testimony that would protect the network and its top talent. Since filing the lawsuit, she submitted new sworn testimony in the Dominion defamation case that undermines some of Fox’s defenses. After filing the lawsuit, Grossberg was fired from Fox News. The right-wing network said in a statement that she violated corporate rules improperly exposed legally privileged information in her lawsuit.

☆ ‘Dilbert’ to return on Scott Adams’ subscription service
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Scott Adams, the comic creator who was dropped by hundreds of publications after his recent racist comments, tweeted that “Dilbert Reborn” will launch exclusively on his subscription site on March 13. Since his comments, Adams said on Twitter that he was only “advising people to avoid hate” and suggested that the cancellation of his cartoon indicates free speech in America is under assault. Dilbert is a comic strip that largely lampoons office cubicle culture. Hundreds of newspapers across the country and Andrews McMeel Universal, the company that syndicates “Dilbert,” dropped the comic after Adams’ offensive comments about Black Americans triggered an uproar. In a shocking rant on YouTube, Adams effectively encouraged segregation, calling Black Americans a “hate group” and suggesting that White people should “get the hell away” from them.

☆ Fox faces an ‘existential threat’ from its multi-billion-dollar defamation cases
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Fox Chairman Rupert Murdoch said under oath that he made a business decision when allowing a conspiracy theorist to promote election lies on Fox News. The network faces two separate defamation lawsuits from voting technology companies that collectively seek $4.3 billion in damages. Cases against FoxDominion Voting Systems is suing Fox News and Fox Corporation for $1.6 billion, accusing the network of spreading false claims that its technology enabled election fraud. A separate, similar case brought by voting technology firm Smartmatic is seeking $2.7 billion in damages. It also illustrated instances of Fox actively pushing back on fact-checks that undermined the election lies being peddled by supporters of former President Donald Trump.

☆ Elon Musk tweets support for ‘Dilbert’ creator after racist tirade
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Elon Musk defended “Dilbert” creator Scott Adams after hundreds of newspapers stopped printing the comic strip because of Adams’ recent racist comments. Last week, Adams called Black Americans a “hate group” and suggested that White people should “get the hell away” from them. “Maybe they can try not being racist.”Musk later agreed with a tweet saying Adams’ comments “weren’t good” but had an “element of truth” to them. Hate speech on TwitterThe Twitter CEO’s comments come amid an influx of hate speech on his platform. The Center for Countering Digital Hate and the Anti-Defamation League both said in recent reports that the volume of hate speech on Twitter has grown dramatically under Musk’s stewardship.

☆ NPR to cut 10% of its staff in ‘a major loss’ for the public radio network, CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Jon Passantino | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —National Public Radio will lay off 10% of its staff after projecting a $30 million budget shortfall, NPR’s chief executive John Lansing wrote in a memo to staff Wednesday. In his memo, Lansing said the network was grappling with a “sharp decline” in revenues from its corporate sponsors as a result of the uncertain economy. “With approximately 65% of our budget supporting personnel costs, we will need to eliminate many of the vacant positions that have been frozen. In recent months, the media and technology sectors have taken a battering as advertisers tighten spending amid economic uncertainty. CNN, NBC News, MSNBC, Vox Media, Gannett and other news organizations have cut their workforces in recent months.

☆ James O’Keefe ousted from right-wing activist group Project Veritas
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( Jon Passantino | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —James O’Keefe, the founder and chairman of Project Veritas — the right-wing activist group known for its selectively edited undercover sting videos targeting journalists and progressive groups — has been ousted from the organization, he told staff in a videotaped speech posted online Monday. “I’ve been stripped of my authority as CEO and removed from the board of directors,” O’Keefe said in a prepared statement to the group’s staff. Federal authorities have been investigating Project Veritas for its involvement in the 2020 theft of a diary kept by President Joe Biden’s daughter Ashley. Two people who sold Ashley Biden’s journal and other items to Project Veritas for $40,000 pleaded guilty last year to stealing her belongings. Project Veritas did not immediately comment on O’Keefe’s departure.

☆ ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ gives James Cameron his first $100 million domestic debut
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-18 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —The highly anticipated “Avatar: The Way of Water” took in $134 million at the US box office, giving director James Cameron his first $100 million opening weekend — despite falling short of analyst predictions. “Avatar: The Way of Water” has so far earned $435 million at the global box office. Though Cameron hasn’t revealed exactly how much it cost to make the “Avatar” sequel, one answer isn’t in doubt: a lot. In 2009, “Avatar” earned $77 million in its opening weekend and collected 80% of its gross from 3D showings. “The Way of Water” notched the second highest all-time IMAX global opening weekend and the biggest IMAX December global opening ever.

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