Charity starts at Inside Story. Online media outlet Inside Story is putting out a call for readers to start ponying up the dough for content, as digital media continues to hunt for an effective funding models to prop up its journalism. The site — which receives assistance from Swinburne University and the Australian National University — publishes longer-form analysis and reportage from a stable of journalists and university researchers.

In an email sent out to readers this morning, editor Peter Browne asked them to consider becoming an “Inside Story supporter” by donating up to $50. The donation is tax deductible (thanks to Swinburne’s charity status) and will be put towards funding “contributors’ payments and other running costs”.

The call-out comes after it was announced last week that opinion and analysis website New Matilda would be reopening its doors for the rest of the year on the back of financial support from readers. Editor Marni Cordell is hoping New Matilda will be able to establish an effective subscriber model to ensure future viability. — Tom Cowie

Punching on with Tors. Tory Maguire was named the new editor of opinion site The Punch yesterday (part of a News Limited digital shake-up that sees her boss David ‘Penbo’ Penberthy become editor-in-chief across the News.com.au platform). This is her contribution to public debate today:

Gloomy Tuesday: Rank your favourite days of the week

My favourite day is Sunday. Maybe it’s because I worked almost every Sunday for a good five years, now when I don’t have to work it still feels a bit like I’m sneaking the day off.

Fridays are obviously fantastic. Although that feeling is amplified on a Thursday if I’ve worked the previous weekend and am staring down the barrel of three days off.

Saturdays have many things going for them, but the feeling of freedom is dampened for me by the ominous thud of a pile of newspapers the size of a house that sometimes sit there all weekend guilting me about the fact I never open the Arts section. And then there’s Tuesday. Blue Tuesday …

NT News watch: A gripping saga, with some great alliteration…

12-10-2010 11-25-26 AM

How powerful would Murdoch’s takeover make him?

“The assembled range of opposition to the News Corp plan is certainly unprecedented, although it has the unusual effect of making the Murdoch corporation appear one consumer-focused company battling against the old media establishment.” — BeehiveCity

BBC bones its No.2  in management cull

“Mark Byford, the BBC’s deputy director general, has been made redundant, as the corporation looks to deliver on a promise to cut back senior management numbers and rein in its much-criticised executive salary bill.” — The Guardian

Arianna Huffington v Nick Denton: new media fued

“It’s too bad, because the two could be great friends, with all they have in common. Both are immigrants. Both are Oxbridge-educated. Both are headquartered in Soho. And both, of course, run blog-based news businesses that are worth $100 million, give or take.” — Forbes

A new paper for Muslims in London

“A media company based in the Middle East is launching a London-based weekly newspaper aimed at Muslim people across the world.” — The Guardian

That annoying drawl is back — The Nanny gets a talk show

“‘I’m thrilled to be able to bring The Fran Drescher Tawk Show to daytime TV, which fits me hand in glove,’ said Drescher in a statement. “It will cover all of my passions, everything from pedicures to politics.” — Broadcasting & Cable