TX AG Opens Investigation Into Media Matters

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is opening an investigation into Media Matters for "potential fraudulent activity" after X CEO Elon Musk accused the left-wing media watchdog group of manipulating data on the social media platform. 

After a slew of advertisers, including IBM, Apple, Disney, Lionsgate and Paramount, fled X, formerly known as Twitter, Musk pledged to hit the watchdog group with a "thermonuclear lawsuit." 

Fox News Digital reports Media Matters published a report on Friday accusing X of placing ads next to "white nationalist hashtags." However, Musk believes that the group "completely misrepresented the real user experience" in order to mislead advertisers. 

Republican Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey posted on Sunday that his legal team was "looking into" the matter. Now, Paxton is launching an official investigation with his office after being "extremely troubled" by the allegations. 

X CEO Has Some Explaining To do

Social media company X CEO Linda Yaccarino told employees that "data will tell the real story" about its efforts to battle antisemitism, according to Reuters citing a note to employees, amid growing outrage over the issue.

X, formerly Twitter, lost several major advertisers including IBM and Comcast, and owner Elon Musk was blasted by the White House after he agreed with a post on the platform Wednesday.

The post falsely claimed Jewish people were stoking hatred against white people. On Thursday, and media watchdog group Media Matters said it had found that ads for major brands had appeared next to posts that touted Nazism.

Linda Yaccarino

"While some advertisers may have temporarily paused investments because of a misleading and manipulated article, the data will tell the real story," Yaccarino said in the Sunday night note to employees seen by Reuters, adding that X has been clear about its efforts to fight antisemitism and discrimination.

Six major brands that said they have or have been reported to have paused ads - Apple, IBM, Sony, Disney, Comcast and Paramount - collectively represented 7% of X's U.S. ad revenue so far this year, according to data from market intelligence firm Sensor Tower.

Fox News Unveils Details for DeSantis, Newsom Debate

Fox News has announced details of its planned debate between Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis later this month.

The Hill reports the event, which the network is billing as “DeSantis vs. Newsom: The Great Red vs. Blue State Debate,” will take place at 9 p.m. Nov. 30 and span 90 minutes.

Moderated by leading prime-time pundit Sean Hannity, the debate will be presented live from Alpharetta, Ga., but will not feature an audience in attendance.

The goal of the event is to “examine the vastly different approaches the two governors have and offer insights into their political philosophies as well as ambitions for the nation,” the network said, previewing that Hannity will highlight a variety of issues in each state, “including the economy, the border, immigration, crime, and inflation.”

The lack of an audience in attendance will allow the governors equal opportunity to respond and address each issue, Fox said.

DeSantis is a candidate for the Republican nomination for president, but he trails far behind former President Trump in most national polls. Newsom, meanwhile, has seen his political profile rise quickly but has ruled out a bid to challenge President Biden for the Democratic Party’s nomination in 2024.

The two governors initially agreed to a debate moderated by Hannity and broadcast on Fox earlier this fall.

K-C Radio: Hustle and Shyne Get Wake-Up Duty At KPRS

Carter Broadcast Group announces a new morning show, Hustle & Shyne in the Morning, on KPRS-FM (Hot 103 Jamz, Kansas City’s #1 for Hip Hop and R&B) in Kansas City, Missouri. The new show features Deona Hustle and Brian B. Shynin, and debuts Monday, November 27, 2023.

“We are very excited about Hustle & Shyne in the Morning. For the past 15 months, Brian worked diligently by holding a strong ratings position during morning drive, not only against our main competitor, but against the other stations in the market,” said Operations Manager Myron Fears. Deona started with us 4 years ago by working nights and weekends.

She took advantage of every opportunity. She’s very passionate and is a great team player. The launching of Hustle & Shyne in the Morning is a testament to the Carter Broadcast Group’s commitment to develop local talent and belief in the power of local radio.”

Live Nation Issued Subpoena Regarding Ticketing

Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster is being sent a subpoena for documents regarding ticket pricing, fees and secondary sales, a U.S. Senate panel said on Monday.

Reuters reports Ticketmaster, which for decades has been criticized for hardball tactics and high prices, took a new round of rhetorical beatings around this time last year after botched ticket sales for Taylor Swift's "Eras" tour.

"Live Nation has egregiously stonewalled my Subcommittee’s inquiry into its abusive consumer practices — making the subpoena necessary," Senator Richard Blumenthal, Democratic chair of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, said in a statement.

Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch Meets Zelenskiy in Kyiv

Zelenskiy and Murdoch

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met Fox Corp CEO Lachlan Murdoch in the Ukrainian capital in what Kyiv said on Monday was a "very important signal" of support at a time when global media attention has shifted from the war in Ukraine, Reuters reports.

Media titan Rupert Murdoch's eldest son is a leading figure in media with a U.S. Republican-leaning audience. His visit comes as concern in Ukraine mounts over the future of vital American military and economic aid with the war with Russia showing no end in sight.

A U.S. presidential election next November could bring the return of Republican Donald Trump, who has been sharply critical of support for Ukraine. There is increasing division over aid for Kyiv in the U.S. Congress.

Israel Arrests NBC Journalist For Inciting Terror

Reporter Arrested

A journalist employed by NBC was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of inciting terrorism and identifying with a terrorist organization, The Jerusalem Post reports.

Marwat Al-Azza, a 45-year-old journalist, employed by the NBC television network and living in east Jerusalem, was arrested after four recent posts on her personal Facebook page regarding the October 7 terror attack by Hamas from the Gaza Strip, in which at least 1,200 people were murdered and 240 taken hostage.

The police claim that Al-Azza "arrived ready for arrest," without a mobile phone, and even wrote phone numbers on her leg.

"These are very serious offenses during a time of declared war when the respondent lives and makes a living in the same country that is under attack and yet chooses to incite and glorify the horrible acts committed against civilians," a police representative concluded at yesterday's hearing at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court.

An NBC spokesperson stated, “The investigation of Ms. Azza is unrelated to NBC News. It is based on her personal Facebook posts that predate her time with us as a freelancer. We were not aware of those posts before we engaged Ms. Azza four weeks ago. She will not be contributing to our coverage going forward.”

Radio History: November 21

➦In 1877…Thomas Edison unveiled his new "talking machine," later called the phonograph. The first thing recorded on Edison's new invention was the song "Mary Had a Little Lamb."  Recording made by Thomas A. Edison on August 12, 1927, at the Golden Jubilee of the Phonograph ceremony. In this recording Edison demonstrates how in 1877 he made the first record on his tinfoil phonograph. The original 1877 recording was not saved and no longer exists.  Edison received a patent three months later.

➦In 1944…"The Roy Rogers Show" aired for the first time featuring the Whippoorwills and the Sons of the Pioneers, was broadcast by the Mutual Broadcasting System. It began as a western music and variety show and evolved into an action-drama series during its 10-year run.

Roy's radio show lasted 11 seasons and the Roy Rogers Show On TV stayed on the air for 6 seasons.  Roy also made a ton of movies and appeared on numerous other radio and TV shows as a guest star! In addition, Roy had a successful recording career for several years with songs that made it to the top of the charts! Most people probably remember him and Dale Evans singing "Happy Trails to You" at the end of each show!

➦In 1963…U.S. President John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline, arrived in San Antonio, Texas. They were starting a two-day visit to Texas that would end in Dallas.

John B Gambling

➦In 1974...New York radio personality John B. Gambling died at age 77.  He was the first of three Gamblings to host the WOR 710 AM ‘Rambling With Gambling’ morning show over a span of 88 years.

He was a member of the The Gambling family, 3 generations of whom - John B., John A. and John R. were hosts of WOR Radio's morning show Rambling with Gambling (now known as The John Gambling Show).

John B. was the host from 1925 to 1959, when he retired in favor of his son, John A. Gambling. With his Musical Clock, his all-in-fun setting-up exercises, cheerio music, wheezy gags, weather information and news scraps, John B. Gambling was a WOR fixture.  At one time he had a in-studio tp provide music band and he aired the March of the Seven Dwarfs every morning at 7 am sharp.

➦In 1979…Personality Harry Harrison aired his last morning show on WABC 770 AM, New York.

Wallen, Swift Dominate 2023 Billboard Music Awards

Morgan Wallen amassed 11 Billboard Music Awards wins on Sunday (Nov. 19), which represented the greatest one-year tally by any artist since Drake received 12 awards in 2019. Taylor Swift won 10 BBMAs this year, bringing her career total to date to 39 – which puts her in a tie with Drake for the most of all time. (Drake won five awards this year to advance to that same total.)

Eleven #BBMAs wins for Morgan Wa11en tonight. 🙌

Congrats, @MorganWallen! pic.twitter.com/mJbZdDNCbs

— Billboard Music Awards (@BBMAs) November 20, 2023

Wallen won awards for both top Billboard 200 album (One Thing at a Time) and top Hot 100 song (“Last Night”). It’s the first time one artist has swept both of those key awards in the same year since Usher scored in 2004 with Confessions and his megahit “Yeah!” (featuring Lil Jon & Ludacris). (Note: The BBMAs were on hiatus from 2007-10.)

Wallen had previously won four BBMAs. His new career total of 15 awards puts him second only to Garth Brooks among country artists. Brooks has won 20 BBMAs.

TEN #BBMAs WINS for @taylorswift13 including ❤️ TOP ARTIST 💛 Congratulations!

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/pdcnIIkHPX

— Billboard Music Awards (@BBMAs) November 20, 2023

Swift won top artist for the third time, which puts her in a tie with Drake for the most wins in that category. Swift also won top Billboard 200 artist for a record-extending sixth time, and top female artist for a record-extending fifth time.

Wallen thoroughly dominated the country categories, winning top country artist, top country album, top country song and top country tour.

🎵Billboard Music Awards 2023 Winners: Full List

TV Anchors, Celebs Are Being Victimized

In a Facebook video viewed by thousands, CNN’s Wolf Blitzer appears to hawk a diabetes drug. In another, "CBS Mornings" host Gayle King seems to endorse weight loss products.

But, AFP News reports  the clips are doctored -- the latest in a rash of deepfakes that hijack images of trusted news personalities in spurious ads, undermining confidence in the news media.

Similar social media posts in recent months have targeted Fox News personality Jesse Watters, CBC host Ian Hanomansing and BBC stars Matthew Amroliwala and Sally Bundock.

In some cases, the journalists have used their own accounts to push back.

"I've never heard of this product or used it! Please don't be fooled by these AI videos," King said on Instagram in October.

After seeing clips of himself supposedly promoting cannabis products, CNN medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta also posted a warning: "These scams have nothing to do with me... my primary concern is for your health, and I do worry you could be harmed if you take these products."

The manipulated videos push everything from unproven treatments to investment schemes -- many promising "guaranteed income" or access to coveted shares. Some also use altered footage of billionaire Elon Musk, founder of Tesla and SpaceX.

Some include links to investment schemes, unapproved products or unrelated e-commerce websites that disappear after several days.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has banned deepfakes since early 2020, with some exceptions for parody and satire. Other platforms have similar policies.

But such clips -- many of which AFP has fact-checked -- are still spreading online.

X CEO On Hot Seat As Advertisers Flee The Platform

X CEO Linda Yaccarino, the longtime NBC advertising executive tapped to bring back revenue and credibility to the company from big advertisers, is facing her own credibility crisis as advertisers halt spending over Elon Musk’s endorsement of antisemitic abuse on the social media platform.

Forbes has confirmed that Yaccarino has been contacted by a groundswell of leading advertising executives who questioned why she is risking her reputation to shield Musk’s behavior—and suggested that she could make a statement about racism and antisemitism by stepping down. She has so far resisted their entreaties, sources said.

Linda Yaccarino

Last week, Musk endorsed an explicitly antisemitic conspiracy theory, and a report from watchdog Media Matters found that ads from major companies including IBM and Amazon had been placed next to content promoting Nazis and white nationalism, prompting advertisers including Apple, Disney and IBM to pull ads from the platform. Even the White House has condemned Musk’s antisemitic and racist statement, in which Musk agreed with an X user who espoused a conspiracy theory that “Jewish communities have been pushing the exact kind of dialectical hatred against whites that they claim to want people to stop using against them.”

On November 16, Yaccarino responded to the firestorm in a post on X: “X’s point of view has always been very clear that discrimination by everyone should STOP across the board — I think that's something we can and should all agree on. When it comes to this platform — X has also been extremely clear about our efforts to combat antisemitism and discrimination. There's no place for it anywhere in the world — it's ugly and wrong. Full stop.” 

Yaccarino did not immediately respond to a comment request made through X’s press team.