Google it
(STRF/STAR MAX/IPx )
Big news in tech on Tuesday: The Justice Department sued Google over claims that its search and advertising violated federal antitrust laws. As The Washington Post’s Tony Romm wrote, this could launch “what is likely to be a lengthy, bruising legal war between Washington and Silicon Valley that could have vast implications for the entire tech industry.”
In the complaint, the DOJ contends Google used exclusive business contracts and other special agreements to keep out the competition. For example, Romm wrote, “Google gained its ‘grip on distribution,’ the Justice Department found, by paying billions of dollars to become the default search application in Web browsers, on smartphones and across a wide array of other devices and services, including those offered by some of its competitors, such as Apple. This vast, unparalleled reach allowed Google to enrich itself through lucrative ads, maintain its online foothold and render it impossible for other search engines to compete, the federal lawsuit alleges.”
Google said the lawsuit is “deeply flawed.”
Pack a lunch because this one is likely to drag out a while.
What was he thinking?
There are still aftershocks from the news that Jeffrey Toobin, a reporter for The New Yorker and chief legal analyst for CNN, exposed himself (and more, reportedly) during a Zoom with colleagues. He called it an accident, but what a spectacle this has turned out to be. Everyone from those in the media to even O.J. Simpson is weighing in.
When you get through all the creepiness, mockery and, unfortunately, the jokes about what allegedly happened, you’re left to ask: Does this do serious damage to the credibility of the news organizations involved — in this case, both The New Yorker and CNN? It’s hard to see how it doesn’t. And it’s another reminder of some of the other sex-related scandals that have brought down the likes of journalists such as Matt Lauer, Charlie Rose and Tavis Smiley.
Obviously, the damage done to the news outlets pales in comparison to the damage inflicted on colleagues who were forced to experience such behavior.
On the surface, this seems like an unforgivable act and that the only punishment is dismissal. However, there’s no statute of limitations on coming to a decision and it’s such a bizarre story that it seems prudent to get all the facts before calling for someone’s job. That’s not meant to defend someone for doing something that seems indefensible. It’s just, as I mentioned, such an off-the-wall story and there’s so much that those of us on the outside still don’t know.
Carton’s comeback
Radio host Craig Carton, after receiving a three-and-a-half-year sentence for defrauding investors in a ticket reselling business in 2019 (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Craig Carton’s comeback is nearly complete. Once the co-host of one of the most successful morning sports talk shows in the country on New York’s WFAN, Carton was arrested in 2017 and convicted for a Ponzi-like ticket brokering scheme that landed him in federal prison. After serving 13 months of a three-and-a-half-year sentence, Carton was released on good behavior earlier this year.
And now he’s headed back to WFAN. There have been rumors floating for weeks that a return was coming, but now several New York media columnists are reporting that Carton is finalizing a deal to return to afternoon drive on WFAN. The New York Post’s Andrew Marchand has more of the details of what’s next.
Carton is the subject of an insightful documentary currently airing on HBO called, “Wild Card: The Downfall of a Radio Loudmouth.” Carton was involved and cooperated for the project, and so viewers were bound to be more empathetic toward Carlton and his story. But even knowing that, Carlton’s story is compelling and he seemed sincere in explaining how he landed in prison and where his life is now.
Flyover takedown
Fox Sports NFL announcers Joe Buck and Troy Aikman took a shot — appropriately so, if you ask me — at what seems like a waste during these times. The NFL is big on military stuff, including flyovers of military jets before games. There was a flyover right before Sunday’s game in Tampa between the Bucs and Packers, even though there were only about 15,000 fans at the game because of COVID-19.
Thinking their microphones weren’t live, Aikman said, “That’s a lot of jet fuel just to do a little flyover.”
Buck said, “That’s your hard-earned money and tax dollars at work!”
Then Aikman said, “That stuff ain’t happening with a Kamala-Biden ticket. I’ll tell you that right now, partner.”
Of course, it’s that last line that had many on social media fired up, but many also were upset because they saw a criticism of the flyover as being, somehow, anti-military — which then was taken a step further to being called anti-American. And that, of course, is ridiculous.
There have been defenses for why flyovers, even in these times, are worth it. For example, ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio wrote that it gives pilots practice time and that flyovers are still a good recruiting tool. Well, maybe. But it’s not like Buck and Aikman’s comments are outlandish. As Defector’s Samer Kalaf wrote, “Even Troy Aikman, with his stilted jokes, can grasp how pointless a flyover is. All the more reason to banish them for good and reduce the NFL’s military cosplay by just a little bit.”
By Tuesday evening, Aikman took to Twitter to say, “I love a flyover but It was odd to see one over a mostly empty stadium but I am an unwavering patriot that loves this country, has always respected our flag, supported the men and women in the armed forces as well as those in uniform who serve & protect and for anyone to suggest.”
Media tidbits
- Fox News has signed chief White House correspondent John Roberts to a new multiyear deal. Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott said, “John is one of the best journalists in all of news. His extensive reporting, featuring decades of experience and exceptional journalism skills at the White House and on the campaign trail during an unprecedented year, have contributed to the network’s unrivaled political coverage at a key moment in time. We look forward to his continued contributions for many years to come.”
- A new VICE News/Ipsos Youth Voter Poll shows that younger Americans (18-30) could have a heavy voter turnout this election. The poll showed that 84% of the respondents say they are going to vote. Most say they will vote for Joe Biden. At the same time, respondents are not feeling good about the country at the moment: 73% say our democracy is broken. The poll also looks at other issues, such as voter suppression, the COVID-19 response and representation.
Hot type
Have feedback or a tip? Email Poynter senior media writer Tom Jones at [email protected].
More resources for journalists
The Poynter Report is our daily media newsletter. To have it delivered to your inbox Monday-Friday, sign up here.
Follow us on Twitter and on Facebook.
|
