Several media commentators have been contributing to a discussion about whether including external links is important for journalism, and what the best practices are for linking. Steve Buttry of the Journal Register Company lists four reasons why he thinks linking is good for journalism, and two why it's good for business. Felix Salmon at Reuters stresses that linking is important, but that journalists should be more focused on linking to primary sources rather than to other news organizations.

The BBC has released its new social media strategy for England in 2012, writes the BBC College of Journalism. The new strategy includes a commitment to a minimum level of social media coverage in each region, and a stipulation that journalists and programme makers in all English regions should have or develop the skills to use social media.

In Ecuador, President Rafael Correa has announced the withdrawal of the sentence against El Universo and three of its executives - Emilio Palacio, Juan Carlos Calderón and Christian Zurita - for criminal defamation, reports El Pais.

For more industry news please see WAN-IFRA's Executive News Service