Front page of the day. For the China Daily — the English language newspaper that is often accused as the mouthpiece for the state — is it a case of keep your friends close and enemies closer? Or are they genuinely mournful at the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il?:

Is there hope for social media in North Korea?

“Kim Jong-il died Saturday, leaving the totalitarian-led and poverty-stricken nation of North Korea in public mourning. But what about in private, especially online — assuming anyone in the country is active on the Web outside of state-run media?” — Washington Post

Sir Alex Ferguson’s health records ‘obtained by NotW‘

“Sir Alex Ferguson began “co-operating” with the News of the World several years ago after the paper obtained the Manchester United manager’s medical records, a former reporter at the title told the Leveson inquiry on Monday.” — The Guardian

NotW whistleblower’s brother: hacking ‘routine’ at Sun

“The brother of the former News of the World reporter Sean Hoare, told the Leveson inquiry he was told that phone hacking was ‘routine’ at the Sun, and ‘used widely’ on both News International titles.” — journalism.co.uk

Southern Cross Austereo’s Adam Lang to head Fairfax Radio

“Fairfax Radio has appointed Southern Cross Austereo’s Adam Lang as chief executive, overseeing a suite of metro stations including 3AW and Magic in Melbourne, Sydney’s struggling talk station 2UE, Brisbane’s 4BC and Perth’s 6PR and 96FM. ” — The Australian

ABC breaches impartiality rules

“The ABC has breached the rules for impartiality, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has found.” — Media Spy

ACMA warns on networks lifting from Facebook

“The use of information sourced from social networking sites such as Facebook has come under the scrutiny of the media watchdog, after Seven regional broadcaster STQ7 used images from a tribute page for a deceased woman.” — TV Tonight

The year in media errors and corrections

“Now that Regret the Error has moved to Poynter Online, it seems fitting to kick things off in my new home with this detailed look at the major incidents and uh-ohs of the year that was. This is what it looks like when journalism and journalists go wrong.” — Poynter