1/ +++ WORLD EXCLUSIVE: I spoke to Novak Djokovic, @DjkokerNole, for @BBCNews +++

>Says he didn't break the rules on COVID or entry to Australia
>Distances himself from anti-vax movement
>Is prepared to miss French Open + Wimbledon if it comes to it
>Defends freedom to choose @BBCNews 2/ Speaking at his tennis centre in Belgrade, he says he agrees with Australian PM @ScottMorrisonMP that no special rules apply to him, and understands why so many Australians were angry - but has not used to his status to try to gain advantage

1/Dyson Report is a devastating assault on BBC for how it obtained and investigated Diana interview

Dyson says:

>Martin Bashir lied repeatedly
> Investigation led by Tony Hall at the time "woefully ineffective" on several grounds
> BBC "covered up" what it had established

... 2/ In a statement, Bashir says: "“This is the second time that I have willingly fully co-operated with an investigation into events more than 25 years ago. I apologised then, and I do so again now, over the fact that I asked for bank statements to be mocked up. It was a...

1/ Totally blown away by the scale and warmth of reaction to my doing @BBCr4today. Obviously feel very self-conscious saying this; but would be rude to ignore it too. Thank you so, so much. This was my cheesy/nostalgic playlist for the commute. But want to say 2 other things... 2/ To a much, much greater extent than most people realise, great shows are the work of superb producers you’ve never heard of. The @BBCr4today team are very clever, kind, quick, creative, supportive etc. Too many to mention regularly but particular thanks to: (...)

3/ She is tasked with making it a digital first operation. That’s a extremely difficult challenge for a title so heavily dependent on print for its income. As an ad-funded title reliant on footfall, Standard has been devastated by the pandemic 4/ Like so many regional titles, the Standard is in desperate financial trouble. It may need some kind of subsidy to survive under current ownership. Who from. A tech giant? Even – perish the thought – government?

1/Very sad Media news. Am told @BuzzFeedNews will no longer be covering local news in the UK or Australia. About 10 staff in UK furloughed; their future unclear. They were told on a conference call after 4pm. Celeb news, social news and investigations will however continue... 2/ This is a verdict on the market, and their model - and not on their journalism. Under @benyt (now at @nytimes), @BuzzFeedNews did much outstanding work, not least in the UK. Several brilliant reporters there who will undoubtedly be picked up very soon...

1/ This whole business over the future of @JewishChron is getting very fruity.

Long-serving Editor @stephenpollard is putting out a statement shortly saying's he's backing the rival bid, including from @RobbieGibb, to take it off current owners the Kessler Foundation.... 2/ Pollard's statement says that a key reason is the rival bid has promised to pay the creditors, which includes the staff of the paper. He is resigned as Editor and Director of the company with immediate effect. He's open to a discussion about staying on as Editor...

1/ OK look #TheMediaShow @BBCRadio4 had a very good 2019 and I can say that because it is all the fault of the producers - @HooperRJ @PaulMurphyX, Natalia Fernandez, (Exec) Eleanor Garland. Yet 'tis I who gets INUNDATED with warm feedback. So here are some crackerjack highlights: @BBCRadio4 @HooperRJ @PaulMurphyX 2/ In fact, before you get distracted with those highlights, just do yourself a new year favour and SUBSCRIBE, would you, please? You won't regret it. Subscribe via @bbcsounds here, or else through any other podcast provider: bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/br…

1/ Bit more detail on @nick_clegg's move to @facebook. My @BBCNews blog up shortly. Before that, here's a digest, based on a long-ish conversation with him a short while ago... 2/ Elliot Schrage first mooted the job this summer. Clegg rejected. Then Sheryl Sandberg called him when he was walking in the Alps over the summer. Clegg flew to the Bay Area, spent a couple of hours, I understand, in Zuckerberg's garden...