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Should The Times Be A Truth Vigilante? (NYT / Public Editor's Journal)
New York Times public editor Arthur S. Brisbane: "I'm looking for reader input on whether and when New York Times news reporters should challenge 'facts' that are asserted by newsmakers they write about." FishbowlNY: That sound you hear is everyone, everywhere, screaming "YES!" The last time we checked, a journalist is supposed to always report the facts. That's not being a "truth vigilante," as Brisbane calls it. It's doing your damn job. Business Insider: Seriously? The only other option, it would seem, would be for the paper to just be a propaganda bullhorn for anyone who wants publicity. The fact that the NYT has to ask readers that question seems mind-boggling. NY Observer: Along with quite a few other people, New York Times executive editor Jill Abramson has now been successfully trolled by Brisbane, having dignified the paper's ombudsman Thursday night with a response after he incited a brouhaha of populist outrage with a poorly-worded column published earlier Thursday. Poynter / MediaWire: "I wonder if Art hasn't confused matters a bit by his choice of examples," said Bill Keller, former executive editor and current op-ed columnist, via email. Jay Rosen's PressThink: Something happened in our press over the past 40 years or so that never got acknowledged and to this day would be denied by a majority of newsroom professionals. Somewhere along the way, truth-telling was surpassed by other priorities the mainstream press felt a stronger duty to. These include such things as "maintaining objectivity," "not imposing a judgment," "refusing to take sides," and sticking to what I have called the "view from nowhere." Mashable: A New York Times column titled, "Should The Times Be a Truth Vigilante?" drew heavy criticism Thursday on Twitter and even spawned a fake account parodying Brisbane. Gawker: Our feeling is…no. No, the Times should just make shit up. JimRomenesko.com: Brisbane: "I have to say I did not expect that so many people would interpret me to have asked only: Should the Times print the truth and fact-check? Of course, the Times should print the truth, when it can be found, and fact-check. What I was trying to ask was whether reporters should always rebut dubious facts in the body of the stories they are writing. I was hoping for diverse and even nuanced responses to what I think is a difficult question."

Gender Imbalance On The Campaign Trail (CJR / Campaign Desk)
The sea-green and white concrete gymnasium at Saint Anselm College was transformed this past Saturday night into a temporary state-of-the-art filing center for the GOP presidential debate, with big screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and nearly 700 journalists seated at black tablecloth-covered plastic tables, tapping away at keyboards. Yet there was a strangely old-fashioned front-page element to this press scene -- the dominance of men. AllFacebook: Facebook and political tip sheet Politico are joining forces to assess user sentiment toward the Republican candidates ahead of the Jan. 21 South Carolina presidential primary. AllThingsD: A partnership between Facebook and Politico announced Thursday is one of the more far-reaching efforts. It will consist of sentiment analysis reports and voting-age user surveys, accompanied by stories by Politico reporters. FishbowlDC: Updating your Facebook status with your thoughts on the presidential election? Politico is paying close attention. Gawker: Facebook has issued another exciting edict on how your personal data will be used, announcing a partnership in which your private status messages and comments are mined for political sentiment.

Maxim-Um Shake-Up (NY Post / Media Ink)
In a big shake-up at Maxim publisher Alpha Media, industry veteran Jack Kliger is coming on board as "executive chairman" and taking over from just-ousted CEO Joseph Mangione.

Deal Would Lead Letterman To A Late-Night Milestone (NYT / Media Decoder)
It appears increasingly likely that David Letterman will extend his contract, pushing him past the 30-year run of his idol, Johnny Carson. WSJ: CBS is in talks with Letterman to renew the late-night TV host's contract, which had been set to expire later this year, potentially removing a big question mark hanging over the network's late-night lineup. THR / The Live Feed: CBS Thursday confirmed that it is negotiating with Letterman and The Late Late Show's Craig Ferguson to continue in their roles on the network's late-night schedule.

The Newsonomics Of The Long Goodbye: Kodak's, Sears', And Newspapers' (Nieman Journalism Lab)
Ask an American in 1990 if they could imagine a world without Kodak. Or a shopper of a world without Sears. Now, in 2012, it's a lot easier to imagine. These are companies ebbing away, drip by agonizing drip. Which reminds us, of course, of the newspaper industry, and the question still on some lips: Can you imagine a world without newspapers?

Rebecca Jarvis Named Co-Host Of CBS This Morning: Saturday (TVNewser)
The Saturday edition of CBS' morning show will take the name of the Monday-Friday editions: CBS This Morning. And Thursday, Rebecca Jarvis was named co-host of the show.

Newsweek Reviving Its 1960s Design For Mad Men Issue, Down To The Ads (AdAge / MediaWorks)
Newsweek is planning an issue marking the return of Mad Men this March by adopting the magazine's 1960s design throughout -- all the way, it hopes, to the ads.

New York Magazine Names New Design Director (WWD / Memo Pad)
Adam Moss has tapped Thomas Alberty to become New York magazine's next design director. Alberty, most recently the art director at GQ, will replace Chris Dixon, who left for Vanity Fair in September.

FCC Puts Petition Seeking Elimination Of Sports Blackout Rule Out For Public Comment (Multichannel News)
The Federal Communications Commission is seeking public comment on a petition seeking to eliminate the sports blackout rules, which prohibit multichannel video programming distributors from carrying an event that is blacked out on local broadcast TV.

Chris Hughes, Facebook Co-Founder, Interested In Buying The New Republic (HuffPost)
Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes is a candidate to buy The New Republic, according to sources familiar with the matter. A deal has not yet been reached.

Hulu's 2011 Revenue Grew 60 Percent To $420M, Will Invest $500M In Content This Year (TechCrunch)
Hulu CEO Jason Kilar posted a recap of the online content business in 2011 and revealed that Hulu's revenue grew 60 percent from 2010, to approximately $420 million. paidContent: Hulu Plus has "materially exceeded" expectations, passing 1.5 million paying subscribers and heading closer to the point where the premium video service, plus its younger sibling in Japan, will help account for one-half of Hulu's revenues. GigaOM / NewTeeVee: Hulu grew its content catalog 40 percent in 2011, compared with 2010. ReadWriteWeb: Most gaming consoles, smartphones, and tablets now have an app for Hulu Plus, even if many of them can't access the advertising-supported Hulu website. This year, Hulu launched dedicated apps for the Kindle Fire, XBox 360, and Nook e-reader, among others. Despite the long list of supported devices, Hulu's cross-device compatibility could be even better. The service has irked users of Boxee- and Google TV-powered units by blocking access to those devices. TheWrap.com: After receiving an unsolicited takeover overture last summer, Hulu's owners -- Comcast, Disney, News Corp., and Providence Equity -- actively weighed the merits of divesting themselves from the video site.

Where Were All The Google TVs At CES? (GigaOM / NewTeeVee)
Just one week ago, the blogosphere was abuzz with the news that Google had officially locked down partners for a whole new generation of devices with its operating system for connected TVs. But if Google finally is gaining the trust and support of the consumer electronics industry, there was little evidence of it at this week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. ReadWriteWeb: There may not have been a single blockbuster product announcement, but when it comes to the future of television, CES is always good for a few hints about what to expect.

Adrienne Mong Named London Bureau Manager For NBC News (TVNewser)
NBC News has named Adrienne Mong London bureau manager. In her new role, Mong will oversee day-to-day operations and news coverage at NBC's London bureau, and will also manage NBC's partnership with U.K. TV network ITN.

Showtime Orders Dick Cheney Doc From The War Room Director R.J. Cutler (TVNewser)
Showtime has ordered a documentary looking at the life of former Vice President Dick Cheney. The doc is from R.J. Cutler, who famously chronicled Bill Clinton's campaign to become president in 1992 and put George Stephanopoulos and James Carville on the map. B&C: The World According to Dick Cheney will chronicle the life of the former vice president from his days as Gerald Ford's chief of staff to his eight-year reign under President George W. Bush. FishbowlLA: "Like it or not, we live in a world defined by the domestic and international vision of Dick Cheney -- perhaps the single most influential non-presidential figure in American political history," Cutler said.

Future Sells New York-Based Music Magazines For $3 Million (paidContent)
Future Publishing sold off its loss-making New York operation -- home to magazines including Guitar World, Revolver, and Guitar Aficionado -- in a deal worth $3 million.