TV ad revenue could fall 20% this month, say media buyers

The new year will bring more gloomy news for UK commercial broadcasters, according to media buying agency sources. By Mark Sweney
Social networks facing challenging 2009

paidContent: Social networks face a tough time in 2009, when the twin realities of disappointing ad sales and the worsening economy will dawn on the sector, according to a Deloitte analyst. By Robert Andrews
La Plante ITV drama tops 7m viewers

TV overnights: Above Suspicion, Lynda La Plante's new drama for ITV, grew from 6.7 to 7.3 million viewers. By Leigh Holmwood
- More on TV ratings
Goldberg named head of Lonely Planet

BBC Worldwide has appointed Matthew Goldberg, a senior executive at Dow Jones, as chief executive of the Lonely Planet travel guides business. By Mark Sweney
New York Times prints front page advert

The New York Times has started to accept front page advertisements to help fight the financial crisis. By Ed Pilkington in New York

Backsgate after Sachsgate

BBC confirms Ross's return date

Jonathan Ross's Friday night chatshow will return to BBC1 on 23 January following his three month-suspension over the 'Sachsgate' row
Deal to admit journalists aborted

Plans to allow journalists into Gaza have been aborted with Israel's military citing security fears. By Toni O'Loughlin in Jerusalem
- Israel to allow foreign journalists into Gaza
- Media complain over Gaza blockade
Papers criticised over suicide reports

The PCC has found that 10 newspapers breached its code in articles about a man who took his own life with a chainsaw. By Oliver Luft
- Mirror disputes ruling on suicide story

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Virgin Atlantic goes '80s for retro TV ad

Virgin Atlantic has launched a £6m campaign celebrating its 25th anniversary with a retro TV featuring yuppies, brick-sized mobiles and headlines about the miners' strike. By Mark Sweney
Independent News and Media's O'Reilly hit by Waterford Wedgwood collapse

Anthony O'Reilly and his brother in law await a buyer for their 60% stake in the collapsed luxury lifestyle group. By Stephen Brook
- Waterford Wedgwood falls into administration
New weekly to launch in Merseyside

Champion Media Group is rolling out a new free weekly newspaper in Merseyside. By Oliver Luft
- Greenslade: Newsquest axes Wandsworth paper
Former C4 news chief joins Directgov

Former ITN chief operating officer and managing editor of Channel 4 News Guy Ker has joined government website Directgov. By John Plunkett
China cracks down on 'vulgar' websites

Chinese officials today launched a crackdown on 'vulgar' websites including Google and the country's leading search engine, Baidu. By Tania Branigan in Beijing
You saw them here first

Gareth McLean on the political drama that launched Matt Smith - and every other hot young actor of 2009
What are you doing?

Aida Edemariam on how internet 'micro-blogging' site Twitter went global
Last night's TV

Sam Wollaston on The Diary of Anne Frank | Saving Gazza
William Bemister

Obituary: Documentary-maker who tracked down Nazis
More from the MediaGuardian section

Looking ahead to the new year in the media - plus all the regulars from the media section of the paper

The Times raises weekday price to 90p

News International has increased the cover price of the weekday edition of the Times by 10p to 90p. By Oliver Luft
Journalist freed by Somali kidnappers

A British journalist and a Spanish photographer kidnapped in Somalia have been released after being held in a series of caves for 40 days. By Xan Rice in Nairobi
'ITV to slash Friends Reunited price'

paidContent: ITV's failure to make Friends Reunited in to a successful social network has been plain to see since its acquisition in 2005. By Robert Andrews
Local ownership rules may be relaxed

The government is set to recommend the relaxation of local media ownership rules in a bid to help newspaper groups, MediaGuardian.co.uk understands. By Leigh Holmwood
Telegraph slashes stringer fees to £60

The Telegraph Media Group has slashed its payments to freelance foreign correspondents and is offering them just £60 for each news story. By Stephen Brook
BBC gives 'too white' TV doll darker face

Executives are denying a character from In the Night Garden was lightened for commercial reasons. By James Robinson
In pictures: Matt Smith's career

Gallery (8 pictures): Matt Smith is an unfamiliar face to many, but the new Doctor Who has some pretty big stage and screen roles to his name