MediaGuardian briefing

Media briefing                                                                                         Wednesday 21 Jan 2015 g
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The Sun's move away from topless page 3 models may entice new advertisers Apple, Disney and John Lewis among brands with policy, often unwritten, of not wanting their products advertised in a paper alongside regular nudity  New press regulator wants to put ‘red pencil’ through complex industry rules Chairman Sir Alan Moses says Independent Press Standards Organisation has shown publishers and editors new guidelines  Closing BBC3 TV channel is 'least-worst option', says corporation Audience research reveals viewers are excited by potential of a BBC1+1, but believe quality of youth-oriented BBC3 is likely to deteriorate with online-only move  Paris mayor: I'm suing Fox News over false report on Muslim 'no-go' zones Anne Hidalgo tells CNN that ‘the honor of Paris has been prejudiced’ and the city has been ‘insulted’  Japanese journalist threatened with death on Isis video Jihadists demand $200m ransom for the lives of two hostages  Ex-MI6 chief calls for new compact between internet firms and spy agencies Sir John Sawers says Snowden revelations shattered informal relationship but cooperation is necessary to prevent attacks  Sky holds talks with O2 owner in bid to add mobile phones to media package Telecoms firm fears being left behind as only operator not to offer mobile alongside landlines, broadband and TV  Charlie Hebdo launches app version featuring prophet Muhammed cover Latest issue of French satirical magazine available in Apple and Google Play stores  Alan Rusbridger: Home Office must not remove right to protect sources In a speech to members of the defence and intelligence community, the Guardian editor expressed concern over threats to privacy and freedom of speech  GCHQ captured emails of journalists from top international media Snowden files reveal saved emails of NY Times, BBC, Guardian and more by agency which sees investigative journalists as ‘threat’ akin to terrorists
Today's newspaper headlines More »
Today's media stories from the papers Our roundup of the day's media stories, including Sun's move away from topless page 3 models may entice new advertisers and press regulator wants to scrap complex rules
Media Monkey's pick of the day More »
Margaret Thatcher gets the Spitting Image treatment … again It may be 20 years since the demise of ITV’s Spitting Image, but the show’s voice of Margaret Thatcher, Steve Nallon, can still nail the Iron Lady’s particular timbre, as the trailer for Nallon’s new theatre show, Dead Sheep, shows. The play – which Monkey fans will remember is written by ITV’s Tonight journalist Jonathan Maitland and stars Nallon – covers the circumstances behind the famous Geoffrey Howe speech which led to the fall of Margaret Thatcher. Maitland consulted Howe and his wife Elspeth while writing it and it is timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of Howe’s verbal assassination of his leader. Is Maitland having a laugh with the opening night though? It is in preview at north London’s Park Theatre from, wait for it, 1 April.