Not sure on what basis the Wikipedia founder pontificates about the future of news media, but every disruptor deserves his say, so Jimmy Wales took the opportunity at MediaGuardian’s Changing Media Summit… —On Google’s China problem: Wales likened Google’s position up ‘til recently (agreeing to censor results in order to…

Social gaming startup Playdom is putting this past fall’s $43 million funding round to quick work lately. The San Francisco company is investing $5 million in Argentina-based social gamer MetroGames as part of the South American company’s first round. The investment comes a barely two weeks after Playdom acquired Offbeat…

In how many markets can media companies honestly say they’ll be growing in double digits this year? Exactly. The Indian media and entertainment market, which had a relatively tepid 2009 in face of collapsing media markets all around, is slated to be back on track, according to a new 234-page…

Women’s lifestyle vertical publisher Glam Media has launched its site in France, following last week’s Paris Fashion Week - despite two warnings from a French company that it owns the “Glam” trademark in the country. The French launch is the latest international expansion for Glam, which has launched in Japan,…

Weedle, a site that lets users find people who have specific skills and also pitch their own, has raised $4 million in funding. On Weedle, users create short profiles for free complete with their background, as well as the service they’re providing. They can also “vouch” for other members. Weedle…

China has now reiterated its position in its standoff with Google (NSDQ: GOOG)—and it looks like all that remains is for Google to finally make its move. China says it won’t let Google operate an unfiltered search engine in the country. The latest statement from a government minister (via CNET):…

Print publishers can’t wait for iPad to hit the streets next month, perhaps so they can once again start producing info in a similar-looking format to their core products of yesteryear. NYT’s flagship app lit the blue touch paper for iPad, Wired also got in on the act early, both…

News aggregator Daylife will begin reselling pictures posted by users of London-based citizen-photo journalism site Demotix to create an “open image wire service.” The arrangement is an expansion of Daylife’s existing image programs. Last fall, Daylife began partnering with Getty Images—which is also an investor in Daylife—on products that lets…

Canada continues to stick it to the U.S. when it comes to hockey. Not only do they get the gold medal, now Canadians can watch Hockey Night in Canada streamed live on Yahoo Canada for the rest of the season. (For those who made it through the Vancouver closing ceremonies,…

Smartphone ad network Todacell has added another $1 million in funding to an existing $1 million round the Tel Aviv-based company raised back in June. Israeli VC AfterDox, which provided the last $1 million, also ponied up the same amount this time as well. In addition to the $2 million…

Big media chasing money isn’t new. That they’re coming to the oil-rich desert nations of late, is. More specifically, at the call of Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC), the cash-rich media and investment company owned by the local government, they’re converged here for the next three days, at the man-made…

Mitch Lazar, Yahoo’s European Mobile managing director, is stepping down from his post after working at the company for four and a half years. Lazar marks one of many recent departures from Yahoo’s mobile group. Over the past year-or-so, departures range from all the way at the top, like Marco…

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. And, with Hulu yet to launch services outside its home market of the U.S., it’s no surprise, perhaps, that there are some sites bearing an uncanny resemblance to Hulu launching in other markets. The latest is ivi.ru, a Russian portal that…

THQ (NSDQ: THQI) has confirmed that its mobile game studio in Finland has entered into liquidation, putting an end to a decision made a year ago to make the Universomo office the hub of its smartphone game development. In January 2009, THQ conducted a significant restructuring that included focusing on…

Looking to expand its footprint into Latin America and beyond, EchoStar (NSDQ: SATS) is acquiring a stake in Mexican satellite company Satmex in what will ultimately be a $374 million cash deal. EchoStar’s existing Mexican partner, MVS Comunicaciones, the operator of the Dish Mexico satellite TV service, is assisting the…

Chinese search giant Baidu (NSDQ: BIDU) says it has received a $50 million investment from Providence Equity Partners to start an online video subsidiary. Rafat was able to confirm reports that a deal for a Hulu-like service was in the final stages early last month. At the time, Baidu was…

The streak of recent language learning fundings continues ... Busuu, which claims more than 300,000 users, is set to announce Thursday that it has raised a “six-digit” round from an unnamed angel investor. The startup, which is based in Madrid, offers interactive language courses in Spanish, French, German, Italian and…

As the interest in e-readers is finally starting to emerge, UK mag publisher Haymarket has unveiled an e-paper version of Autosport in a bid to get more overseas subscribers. It will also be available free to all current print subs through its Autosport.com site. The launch of the e-paper version…

Beijing-based ad network Yoyi Media has raised first round led by Disney’s Steamboat Ventures and Gobi Partners. Online advertising is still expected to grow at a rapid pace throughout Asia. Three-year-old Yoyi expects to capitalize on that growth. The company plans to build up its ad platforms and refine its…