Topic: Omidyar Media

A new cross-partisan group called the Council for Responsible Social Media has launched with funding from billionaire Pierre Omidyar. The council includes figures like whistleblower Francis Haugen and former CIA Director Leon Panetta. The group aims to pressure social media platforms for internal governance changes and advocate for new federal regulations on digital content.

Tech news covers Apple raising iPhone prices in Russia by 25% due to the falling ruble, while Samsung lowered prices. The segment also critiques the bureaucratic failure of Pierre Omidyar's First Look Media and the departure of journalist Matt Taibbi.

Journalist Marcy Wheeler has resigned from The Intercept, the $250 million media venture funded by Pierre Omidyar. The hosts suggest the organization is "falling apart" and failing to produce significant content despite hiring numerous writers. They criticize Glenn Greenwald for his perceived hypocrisy in partnering with Sony Pictures for a movie deal after previously criticizing the studio's work.

First Look Media announced $550,000 in grants to organizations including the EFF and the Freedom of the Press Foundation. The hosts characterize these grants as "hush money" intended to prevent negative coverage of Pierre Omidyar's operations, while noting Glenn Greenwald's lucrative speaking tour.

eBay founder Pierre Omidyar announced a $50 million initial investment in First Look Media, a new venture featuring journalists Glenn Greenwald and Laura Poitras. Professor Jay Rosen is serving as an advisor to the organization, which is structured as a for-profit technology company funding a non-profit journalism entity. The venture plans to cover a broad range of topics from politics to lifestyle.