Media Insider: Twitter Introduces Notes, Google Resolves Copyright Dispute, Pride Media Acquired

Welcome to Media Insider, PR Newswire’s roundup of media news stories from the week.

Twitter introduces Twitter Write team, Notes feature
Adweek | David Cohen

Twitter introduced a new team, Twitter Write, and confirmed the release of its Notes feature. The Twitter Write team is focused on building community and tools so readers and writers can get the most out of the social network. The company explained, “When we say writers, we’re not just thinking of journalists or authors with large followings. Writers can also be bloggers, newsletter publishers, comedians, content creators, social media community managers, poets, screenwriters and anyone else on Twitter who writes, has a profile as an opinion leader or simply has something to say.” As for Notes, Twitter said it gives writers the chance to go beyond its 280-character limit, with a rich text editor enabling them to post articles, thought pieces and other long-form content. 

In more Twitter news, the company’s board unanimously recommended that shareholders approve Elon Musk’s takeover.

Google resolves French copyright dispute over online content
Reuters | Dominique Vidalon

Google has committed to resolving a copyright dispute in France over online content as pressure mounts for big tech platforms to share more of their revenue with news outlets. Google also dropped its appeal against a 500 million euro ($528 million) fine, which was paid last year. The decision ends the authority’s investigation into Google, which has agreed to talk with news agencies and other publishers about paying them for using their news on its platform. Google will commit to a remuneration proposal within three months of the start of negotiations, and if no agreement can be found, the matter will be settled by a court. The U.S. company will also ensure the negotiations will have no impact on the way the news is presented on its search pages.

Also on the Big Tech front: Meta agrees to alter its ad technology in a settlement with the U.S.

Out Magazine, The Advocate sold to new owners in Pride Media acquisition
The Hollywood Reporter | Abbey White

Pride Media, home to Out Magazine, The Advocate and Pride.com, has been acquired by Equal Entertainment and is rebranding as Equal Pride. The acquisition returns the country’s largest LGBTQ-owned media, digital, TV and entertainment company to LGBTQ+ majority ownership. Plans are to expand existing ventures with continued dedication to print, returning the 55-year-old Advocate brand to “its roots of news, politics and entertainment told through a lens of equality,” according to Michael Kelley, Equal Pride chairman and president of global growth and development. Meanwhile, Out will have a lifestyle-oriented focus on both the gay male experience and a larger audience of women and people of color. Kelley said one of the first marketing campaigns is to encourage subscribers to donate read issues to local youth centers, LGBTQ centers, affirming churches and accepting schools.

ICYMI: Publications are reviving an old and important form of journalism – the alt-weekly.

The Ankler raises $1.5M seed at $20M valuation
Axios | Sara Fischer

Ankler Media, an entertainment news company, has raised a $1.5 million seed round at a $20 million valuation. The company is led by CEO and Editor-in-Chief Janice Min and Hollywood reporting veteran Richard Rushfield, who serves as chief columnist and editorial director. Rushfield has written about show business for years at various publications and has also authored a well-read newsletter about the entertainment business called The Ankler since 2017. The money is being used to hire more staff and to roll out more subscription newsletters about entertainment news and analysis. The company is also looking to expand its business to the UK, where Min sees a large opportunity to disrupt the entertainment news industry.

Also from Axios: Local magazine company N2 rebrands as Stroll as revenue tops $131M.

Florida’s fight with social media giants is likely heading to the U.S. Supreme Court
WFSU | Staff Writer

State attorneys and online-industry groups plan to go to the U.S. Supreme Court in a battle about a 2021 Florida law that would crack down on social media giants such as Facebook and Twitter. The new filings came after an appeals court upheld most of a preliminary injunction issued last year blocking the law. The law, approved by the Republican-controlled legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis, targeted companies such as Facebook and Twitter over decisions to remove politicians and other users from the social media platforms. In part, the law sought to prevent the platforms from banning political candidates from their sites and to require companies to publish — and apply consistently — standards about issues such as banning users or blocking their content.

Related: Fox News parent must face defamation lawsuit over election coverage.

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Maria Perez is director of web operations at Cision. In her spare time, she enjoys gaming, watching too much TV, and chasing squirrels with her dog Molly.