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Monday, April 3, 2023

The NCAA championship game is about to start! Fox News is objecting to a couple questions Dominion wants to ask jurors, WWE is merging with UFC to create a new combat-entertainment powerhouse, Bob Iger is hitting back at Florida, detained WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich is appealing his arrest, Elon Musk is creating more Twitter mayhem, "60 Minutes" is taking heat for its Marjorie Taylor Greene piece, WGA is calling for a strike authorization vote, and more. But first, the A1.

THE A1

Covering the Courthouse Circus

CNN Photo Illustration/Caitlin Ochs/Reuters

History will unfold live before millions of television news viewers on Tuesday as former President Donald Trump travels to Manhattan Criminal Court to be arraigned after last week's unprecedented indictment.

The extraordinary moment will present newsrooms with a slew of coverage conundrums and test how well outlets have adapted to reporting on Trump since he left office in disgrace and largely vanished from the public view.

To help guide news organizations with tackling this thorny story, I reached out to a few smart members of the industry for their thoughts:

► Margaret Sullivan: "Use what we've learned since 2015 about covering Trump (if we really have learned!) and adjust accordingly. Weigh the newsworthiness of the moment against the likelihood of spreading his predictable lies. Fact-checking later is not nearly as effective as putting his statements in context before blasting them out raw. Remember we're in the truth and democracy business, and let that guide the way."

► Bill Grueskin: "My advice: Ignore the courthouse circus, and focus on the merits of the DA's case. Is there new evidence? Are there new witnesses? What does the indictment tell us that we didn't already know about Trump's payment to Stormy Daniels? And what about that is provably illegal?"

► Jack Shafer: "Editors and producers should stop looking over their shoulders worrying about what the ox peckers might say about their camera angles, the number of hours they spend on the booking, the number of column inches they burn on the prosecution and trust their own journalistic instincts and training. It's a story, follow it. Inform your readers and viewers."

► Susan Glasser: "I'm exhausted by the pre-spin and breathless coverage of an indictment we haven't seen yet and Trump's motorcade and plane flying, as if those were momentous events in their own right. The news will be what we learn about the particulars of the case and, if it's released, the history-making mug shot of the first ever former president to be charged in a criminal case. Trump's statements since the indictment have made news by being incendiary verging on reckless — and his evening presser is likely to offer more in this vein. In the end, most of this is likely to be a little remembered spectacle that Trump is milking for all it's worth — and it will be the outcome of this case that will shape its place in history, and what political affect it is eventually judged to have."

► Preet Bharara: "Don't jump the gun. Know there will be surprises. Beware making this some Mano a Mano, Alvin Bragg versus Donald Trump story."

► Molly Jong-Fast: "He needs to be covered as a truth sandwich. Tell the truth before you repeat one of his lies. if you can don't repeat the lies. If you must repeat the lie be sure to say it's a LIE. Don't use his campaign's framing! Don't let him be your assignment editor. Trump is a candidate and also likely a defendant, treat him like every other candidate and defendant. Don't give him the benefit of the doubt."

► Alyssa Farah: "Be careful not to be spun by Trump world. Trump is currently spiraling over this indictment but he and his team will do everything in their power to try to harness the narrative and frame it as a win for him. Take a step back, contextualize this moment for history: being indicted is never a good thing and it hurts him in a general election regardless of what he says."

THE SIDEBAR

CNN Photo Illustration/Drudge Report

The banner on the Drudge Report: "SURRENDER SPECTACLE!"
"The indictment of former President Donald J. Trump is an unprecedented political event that may have enormous consequences for democracy. It's also, effectively, a season premiere," Michael Grynbaum writes. "After a brief hiatus, The Trump Show is back." (NYT)
"The Trump arraignment media circus is underway," Charlotte Klein writes, detailing the scene in New York City where "satellite trucks clog Lower Manhattan and the press corps parachute in." (Vanity Fair)
"Reporters started queuing outside Manhattan Criminal Court Monday for seats inside the courtroom where Donald Trump will be arraigned Tuesday — a full 24 hours ahead of the afternoon proceeding," Joe Anita reports, pointing out that the "mass of media was in stark contrast to the handful of Trump supporters protesting." (POLITICO)
"Trump's white Bronco moment?": Paul Farhi reports on how news networks breathlessly covered Trump's trip from Mar-a-Lago to Trump Tower. (WaPo)
Trump's legal team said they oppose a request by media outlets, including CNN, to allow cameras in the courtroom for Trump's arraignment. They argued, without any apparent irony, that it would cause a "circus-like atmosphere." (CNBC)
"Trump's case again highlights how New York has among the most restrictive laws in the nation banning cameras and broadcasts inside the courtroom in most proceedings," notes Joseph Spector. (POLITICO)
Don't forget the media environment in which this is all happening. On Tucker Carlson's show Monday night, a graphic declared this all to be "UNEQUAL JUSTICE" as his show banner read, "TODAY'S LEGAL SYSTEM IS TOTALITARIAN & UNJUST." Other banners on the program read, "DEMS CREATE A SPECTACLE TO HUMILIATE THE REPUBLICAN FRONTRUNNER," "CRIMINALS ARE PROTECTED & GOOD PEOPLE ARE HURT," and "LEFT IS USING THE LEGAL SYSTEM TO ITS ADVANTAGE." This type of commentary is saturating right-wing media.

——— BELOW THE FOLD ———

CNN Photo Illustration/Bing Guan/Reuters

Fox's Jury Fight: Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems on Monday submitted questions that they want asked to potential jurors in the case. Both parties agreed on some questions, including quizzing prospective jurors on which outlets they get their politics/election news from. But as my colleague Marshall Cohen pointed out, Fox News wants to block some of the more politically charged questions that Dominion would like to ask. Those questions, per Cohen, include: "Do you believe the 2020 Presidential Election may have been stolen?" and "Do you believe that the 2020 presidential election was illegitimate or that Joe Biden was fraudulently elected as President." The judge gets the final say.

🔎 Zooming in: Legal experts are noting that Dominion scored big with the judge's Friday ruling on summary judgement. Famed First Amendment attorney Floyd Abrams told me it was a "big step" for Dominion. "The resounding findings that Fox repeatedly carried false information about Dominion is certainly a major step forward for it," Abrams said. "As regards the determination that the issue of actual malice remains with the jury, only in the rarest case could that be decided on a motion for summary judgment and it's no surprise. All in all, though, a good day for Dominion." RonNell Andersen Jones, a professor and media law scholar at the University of Utah, told my colleague Jon Passantino that Fox "cannot be happy" with the decision. "The judge's ruling means that on some of the issues in the case—including that these statements about Dominion rigging the election were false and that Dominion was defamed by them—Dominion has already won," Jones said. "There won't be any argument about these issues before the jury at all, because the judge has already concluded the evidence doesn't support Fox."

THE BUSINESS

CNN Photo Illustration/Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Ultimate Fighting Combination: It's official: WWE will merge with UFC to create a new combat-entertainment powerhouse. News of the deal leaked over the weekend, with CNBC's Alex Sherman landing the mega-scoop. Details were announced Monday morning. Endeavor will own 51% of the new company. Ari Emanuel will serve as chief executive, Vince McMahon executive chairman, and Mark Shapiro as president and chief operating officer. The deal valued WWE at $9.3 billion and UFC at $12.1 billion. "This is a rare opportunity to create a global live sports and entertainment pureplay built for where the industry is headed," Emanuel said. McMahon added, "Together, we will be a $21+ billion live sports and entertainment powerhouse with a collective fanbase of more than a billion people and an exciting growth opportunity." Endeavor investors weren't thrilled, however. Shares in the company ended Monday ⬇️ 6%.

Disney v. DeSantis: Ron DeSantis is irked. The Florida governor on Monday called for a probe after Disney quietly outmaneuvered the company, in a recently disclosed move that has left DeSantis' new board powerless. Meanwhile, Disney boss Bob Iger fired shots at DeSantis at the company's annual shareholder meeting. Iger didn't mention DeSantis by name, but said "any action" to "retaliate for a position the company took sounds not just anti-business, but it sounds anti-Florida." CNN's Chris Isidore has more here.

IN THE INDUSTRY

Detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has appealed his arrest, according to Russia's state news agency TASS. (CNN)
The U.S. and its allies around the world are continuing to demand Gershkovich's release. (WSJ)
Some of the fired ABC News execs have "lawyered up and are weighing legal action over their dismissal," Lachlan Cartwright reports, adding that a few are now represented by "notoriously aggressive Hollywood lawyer Bryan Freedman." (Daily Beast)
"It is invigorating to be part of something new": The morning block of "CNN News Central" debuted on Monday, with John Berman, Kate Bolduan, and Sarah Sidner holding down the 9am-12pm ET hours. The show, which does not include the traditional anchor desk, aims to offer views a more immersive news program. (TV Newser)
Elizabeth Vargas debuted her new 6pm show on NewsNation Monday, telling Alex Weprin it is "the newscast of record" for the network. (THR)
"Of all the professions, perhaps none is more commonly bound by contracts that define where else an employee can go work than local television news," writes Lydia DePillis, who notes "that could change" as the FTC looks to limit noncompete clause. (NYT)
Vice Media has struck a deal with Fox-owned Tubi to provide the streamer documentaries. (Deadline)
The Financial Times acquired a majority stake in Endpoints News, a medical news outlet based in Kansas. (Reuters)
Shares in Cineworld fell 44% as the Regal Cinemas owner announced a deal with creditors that could pave the way for it to exit bankruptcy proceedings. (CNN)

MEDIA MOVES

The NYT tapped Joey Adarkwah as VP of core platforms. (NYT)
POLITICO named Joe Gould as author of its Morning Defense newsletter. (Playbook)
Variety hired Alison Herman as TV critic. (Twitter)

THE INFO WARS

CNN Photo Illustration/CBS News

Stahl's Softball Sit-Down: How did anyone at "60 Minutes" think this was the correct approach to airing a piece on Marjorie Taylor Greene? In a 13-minute story that aired on the prestigious newsmagazine program, Lesley Stahl failed to meet the moment, churning out a piece that ultimately portrayed Greene in a sympathetic light. Failing to hold her accountable for the countless extremist statements she has made over her years in public life, Stahl instead opened up the piece by letting Greene totally off the hook when she dismissed criticism against her as "name calling" from "troll[s]" in her Twitter feed. When Stahl asked Greene about her comment that the Democrats are the supposed "party of pedophiles," Greene reiterated her position, to which Stahl only uttered, "Wow. OK." A dereliction of duty, to say the least.

IN THE BATTLEFIELD

"The '60 Minutes' interview ... was yet another example of how the mainstream news media has proven it can't handle the moment," conservative columnist Matt Lewis writes. (Daily Beast)
"The program's apparent aversion to bias backfired spectacularly after Stahl ... let Greene spew baseless invective with little to no pushback," Caleb Ecarma writes. (Vanity Fair)
"Stahl didn't mention Greene spoke at a white nationalist event a year ago while a member of Congress or her extreme anti-Muslim views and her defense of January 6 rioters," Dean Obeidallah points out. (CNN)
Perhaps the soft-glove treatment was why Greene praised the interview to Kadia Goba, saying it "wasn't bad" and that she "thought it was pretty good." Greene also urged Ron DeSantis to talk to the press, which I'm sure he would if he could get the same softball treatment. (Semafor)
Speaking of DeSantis: Ken Bensinger reports on how DeSantis' anti-media legislation "is creating a rare rift" between the GOP favorite and right-wing media. (NYT)

THE VALLEY

CNN Photo Illustration/Dado Ruvic/Reuters

More Musk Mayhem: The anticipated purge of legacy checkmarks did not take place on Twitter over the weekend. Instead, Elon Musk only stripped The NYT of its checkmark after learning that the outlet would not pay for a Twitter Blue subscription. The move has already opened the paper up to other users to impersonate its official account. A spokesperson for The NYT only reiterated to me Monday that it will not be paying for a checkmark on the social media site. CNN's Clare Duffy has more here.

► Why it might be hard: "Removal of verification badges is a largely manual process powered by a system prone to breaking, which draws on a large internal database — similar to an Excel spreadsheet — in which verification data is stored," The WaPo's Rachel Lerman and Faiz Siddiqui report. "Sometimes, an employee would try to remove a badge but the change wouldn't take ... prompting workers to explore workarounds. In the past, there was no way to reliably remove badges at a bulk scale."

► What Musk is busy doing instead: Musk on Monday supplanted Twitter's bird logo on the website with an image of a Shiba Inu, an apparent reference to the Dogecoin cryptocurrency. The move sent the price of Dogecoin spiking. "The greater context for this latest bit of Twitter-silliness is that... Musk is in court over dogecoin, looking to dismiss a massive suit relating to the cryptocurrency," TechCrunch's Alex Wilhelm notes.

► Meanwhile, the lack of Twitter personnel is leading to incidents like this: SB Nation has been locked out of its Twitter account for days and, I'm told, unable to reach anyone to regain access. "Our appeals to customer support have gone nowhere," a source tells me.

TOO MANY TABS

✂️ Cuts, cuts, cuts: Google is trying to reduce costs by scaling back on fitness classes, laptop replacements, and other office perks, Jennifer Elias reports. (CNBC)
Australia has become the latest country to ban TikTok on government devices. (Reuters)
Some lawmakers are arguing in favor of TikTok: Farnoush Amiri writes about the members of Congress pushing back against a ban. (AP)
"Congress wants to ban TikTok. They have no idea what that means to the rest of us," TikToker Hannah Maruyama writes. (USA Today)
Italy's deputy minister is criticizing the country's unprecedented move to ban ChatGPT. (Reuters)
But the decision from Italy could persuade other countries to also bar the technology, Supantha Mukherjee, Elvira Pollina, and Rachel More report. (Reuters)

CURTAIN CALL

CNN Photo Illustration/Barbara Munker/picture alliance/Getty Images

Warning from WGA: The WGA is going there, calling on Monday for a strike authorization vote. "WGA members must demonstrate our willingness to fight for the contract writers need and deserve by supporting a strike authorization vote," the union said Monday. The vote will begin Tuesday, April 11, and last through April 17. The WGA said in an email to members that, thus far, it believes the studios, represented by AGPTP, have "failed to offer meaningful responses on the core economic issues in any of the WGA's primary work areas." Deadline's Peter White and Dominic Patten have details.

OFF STAGE

Kim Masters goes "inside Amazon Studios," which she says has been "hampered by confusion and frustration." (THR)
Nicole Sperling reports on Netflix's shift in its approach to marketing under chief Marian Lee. (NYT)
A record for the CMT Music Awards: The award show, which aired on CBS, drew 5.4 million viewers. (Deadline)
Maya Salem profiles "Hot Ones," a YouTube show that aims to "disarm celebrities with deep-cut questions and scorchingly spicy wings." (NYT)
"Yellowjackets" buzz builds: The Showtime hit show's premiere audience has reached 4 million viewers. (Deadline)
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Disney announced a live-action "Moana" remake. (Kotaku)
More set photos are emerging from "Joker: Folie à Deux," featuring Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix with clown makeup. (Variety)
Apple TV+ has released first-look images of "The Crowded Room," starring Amanda Seyfried and Tom Holland. (Variety)
Another one bites the dust: "King Shaka" will not move forward at Showtime. (The Wrap)
Samantha Bee is launching a podcast, "Choice Words." (Deadline)

Thank you for reading! This newsletter was edited by Jon Passantino and produced with the assistance of Liam Reilly. Have feedback? Send us an email here. We will see you back in your inbox this time tomorrow.