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NYT Reporter Who Escaped Taliban Returns to Newsroom (NYT/City Room)
After seven months of being held hostage by the Taliban, David Rohde returned to The New York Times yesterday and to perhaps the most sustained ovation ever heard in the paper's newsroom. Mr. Rohde, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, escaped from his captors two weeks ago.
Gannett Announces It Will Cut 1,400 (AP)
Gannett Co. plans to cut 1,400 jobs in the next few weeks, about three percent of the work force. Bob Dickey, head of the company's U.S. community publishing division, informed staff of the layoffs in a letter Wednesday. The majority of layoffs will come by July 9, he said.
Court Blocks Catcher in the Rye Sequel (AP)
Swedish author Fredrik Colting, whose new book was promoted as a sequel to J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye, cannot publish it in the United States because it too closely mirrors Salinger's classic without adequate parody or critique, a judge ruled Wednesday.
James Frey and Co-Writer Sell Series to HarperCollins (NYT)
A week after submitting a young adult novel anonymously to editors, James Frey, the notorious author of A Million Little Pieces, and a writing partner, Jobie Hughes, have sold North American rights to I Am Number Four to HarperCollins Children's Books.
Chase Carey's Return to News Corp. Pays Off Handsomely (LAT)
News Corp. certainly made it worthwhile for Chase Carey to return to the company. Documents reveal that Carey, who as of Tuesday rejoined Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. as deputy chairman, president and chief operating officer, received a signing bonus of $10 million and will earn a base salary of $8.1 million.
Is Twitter the News Outlet for the 21st Century? (AP)
Twitter has in many ways been a boon to the media. It's arguably the best way for a news outlet to get closer to its readership. But even in an Internet world that has for years eroded the distance between media and consumer, Twitter is a jolt of democratization to journalism.
Details of Mark Sanford's Book Deal to Come This Week (CNN)
Prior to revelations of an extramarital affair that effectively brought an end to his political career, Mark Sanford was preparing to publish a book outlining his policy beliefs. Sentinel, a conservative imprint of Penguin Group, has included a book by Sanford in their Spring 2010 catalogue.
New York Blade Suspends Publication (NYT)
The New York Blade, one of the two major gay and lesbian newspapers in New York City, has laid off its editor-in-chief and suspended publication, the chief executive of its publishing company said on Wednesday. The moves came on Tuesday after parent HX Media was sold to undisclosed buyers.
Politico's Washington Coup (VF)
Michael Wolff: Four old-media veterans may have solved the future of news with the Politico Web site, whose audience of six million obsessives and insiders consumes -- and feeds -- a real-time download of power data. The twist? Politico's print version is what's helped make it profitable.
MediaNews Group: We're Not On Brink of Bankruptcy (E&P)
MediaNews Group late Wednesday denied a report in an investors newsletter that it is arranging a pre-packaged bankruptcy -- or readying any change in ownership of the Denver-based publisher controlled by William Dean Singleton and Richard B. Scudder.
CNN Lawyers Get Tough With Staff Over Michael Jackson Footage (TVNewser)
The CNN legal department is expecting lawsuits over the network's unauthorized use of Michael Jackson footage over the past several days. An email to staff says that if a violation results in legal action, the person(s) responsible "may feel the financial effect in year-end bonuses."
The Economist Targets U.K. Readers (WSJ)
Over the past decade The Economist has won over thousands of young American professionals with its concise, opinionated articles on issues ranging from monetary policy to New York Fashion Week. The magazine is now trying to recreate that success in its home market: Britain.
Rainbow to Launch New WE Spinoff Wedding Cable Channel (B&C)
Rainbow Media, the programming arm of Cablevision, is set to launch a new wedding-themed cable channel. The company's successful WE TV channel currently carries a slew of wedding shows including its signature series Bridezillas, Amazing Wedding Cakes, My Fair Wedding and Platinum Weddings.
Black Reporters on the Beat of Michelle Obama (WaPo)
Howard Kurtz: Whether racial and gender identification produces a gauzier, more favorable portrayal of Michelle Obama is perhaps too early to judge. With her focus on her children, affordable fashion and such reduced-fat apple pie issues as healthy eating, she has done little to warrant sharp criticism.
Why Reporters Won't Shut Up About Their Encounters With Michael Jackson (Slate)
Jack Shafer: Michael Jackson's death isn't the first time the press has woven a wardrobe of flimsy garments from thin threads. Editors everywhere appreciate that readers always love to read about Topic A and are intent on being served truckloads of Topic A when Topic A is red hot, even if the product is dross.
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