"E & P Reports" from Editor & Publisher Magazine hosted by Mike Blinder

In a landmark case with significant implications for journalism and democracy, Emmerich Newspapers Inc., Helena World Chronicle and Boone Newspapers have joined forces in a class-action lawsuit against Google, challenging what they describe as an unfair “tying” relationship. Filed in December 2023, Helena World Chronicle LLC v. Google LLC alleges that Google’s control over search and content indexing is undermining publishers’ abilities to attract traffic and monetize content independently. In this interview, Wyatt Emmerich, president of Emmerich Newspapers, shared insights into the lawsuit’s motivations, the road ahead, and what’s at stake for the news industry.

Access more at this episode's landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/a-legal-stand-against-google-wyatt-emmerich-on-helena-world-v-google-and-the-battle-for,252901

The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, in partnership with OpenAI and Microsoft, has introduced a $10 million AI Collaborative and Fellowship program to support innovation, sustainability, and new business models across five major U.S. metro newsrooms. Lenfest CEO Jim Friedlich, in a discussion on E&P Reports, highlighted how the initiative leverages AI for diverse newsroom applications, from business model optimization to increasing public data accessibility. The program aims to restore the depth of local reporting through AI-assisted research, enabling newsrooms to cover more ground with limited resources. Beyond the initial fellows, the program aspires to scale its impact, offering frameworks and tools for industry-wide adoption that reinforce the sustainability of journalism in an AI-driven future.

Access more at this episode's landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/inside-the-lenfest-openai-microsoft-partnership-one-on-one-with-jim-friedlich,252790

In an era defined by an information deluge, rapidly advancing technology, and the decentralization of media, how society perceives news and journalism has become increasingly complex. Addressing this crucial issue, the Center for News, Technology & Innovation (CNTI) has launched the “Defining News Initiative.” Amy S. Mitchell, CNTI’s founding Executive Director, recently joined E&P Reports to delve into the initiative’s insights and discuss the challenges facing journalism’s evolving definition.

Access more on this episode's landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/exploring-the-boundaries-of-journalism-amy-s-mitchell-on-cntis-defining-news-initiative,252667

Since its founding in 2017, Report for America (RFA) has supported nearly 400 local newsrooms across the United States, helping them collectively raise $30 million from local communities. Now, the nonprofit journalism initiative has launched an ambitious new pilot project — the Accelerator Program. The Accelerator Program is designed to further boost the sustainability of both for-profit and nonprofit local news organizations by diversifying their revenue streams and tapping into local philanthropic support.

In this interview with Editor & Publisher’s Mike Blinder, Morgan Baum, director of Local News Sustainability at RFA, explained how this pilot project could serve as a game-changer for local news outlets struggling to remain financially viable.

Access more on this episoodes landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/from-survival-to-sustainability-rfas-new-accelerator-program-helping-newsrooms-tap-into-new,252566

As the digital age reshapes the media landscape, local news publishers face a crucial challenge: staying relevant and profitable. At the heart of this challenge is the ability to deeply understand and engage with their audiences. Sammy Papert, President of Wormhole and sales representative for Coda Ventures, and Phillip Beswick, CEO of The Media Audit (TMA), recently shed light on how their audience studies are helping local news organizations thrive in an increasingly competitive environment. Their research offers powerful insights into how consumers interact with local news platforms and why these insights are pivotal for media companies seeking to monetize their content.

Access the studies along with more info on this episode's landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/unlocking-the-value-of-local-news-consumers-data-driven-strategies-for-media-growth,252467 

The National Newspaper Association (NNA) has long been a key advocate for rural newspapers, championing their importance as trusted sources of information in communities across the United States. In this episode of E&P Reports, Mike Blinder sat down with Martha Diaz Aszkenazy, the newly elected chair of the NNA, and Brett Wesner, the past chairman, to discuss the association’s recent collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the “Risk Less. Do More” campaign. This initiative, aimed at promoting public health messages about COVID-19, RSV, and the flu, is not only a public health victory but also a significant financial win for rural newspapers. By including these newspapers in their paid advertising strategy, HHS is injecting crucial revenue into these publications, helping to sustain their operations and support the communities they serve. This partnership underscores the vital role that local newspapers play in public health outreach while providing much-needed financial support to ensure their long-term sustainability.

Access more at this episode's landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/unpacking-the-nna-hhs-rural-public-health-ad-campaign,252388

In a unique interview, E&P Publisher Mike Blinder sat down with Version 1.2024.240 of ChatGPT, enhanced by Siri Voice 4, to explore the intersection of AI and journalism. The conversation tackled the critical issues facing the news industry today — from copyright and licensing to search traffic, newsroom integration and the future of journalism.

Topics covered, include:

• Copyright and licensing: Navigating the legal and ethical landscape
• AI in newsrooms: Boosting efficiency without sacrificing integrity
• The future of AI’s impact on newsroom jobs: A collaborative or competitive landscape?

More is available on this episode's page on the E&P Website, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/an-interview-with-chatgpt-how-ai-responds-to-tough-questions-about-its-impact-on-journalisms,252198

Josh Sweigart, editor of investigations and solutions journalism at Cox First Media Ohio, shares insights into the local media’s role in addressing misinformation. He focuses on how his newsroom at the Springfield News-Sun handled the recent surge of false claims about Haitian immigrants, amplified by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and vice presidential nominee and senator from Ohio, JD Vance.

Access more at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/an-inside-look-into-the-newsroom-of-the-springfield-oh-news-sun,252094

In a media environment that is often dominated by narratives of decline, layoffs, and shrinking local news outlets, The Poynter Institute’s newly released report offers a refreshing perspective. Titled “OnPoynt — Values Rising: Trends and Traction in Journalism and the News Industry,” the study showcases optimism and innovation in journalism despite well-known challenges. In this recent interview, Neil Brown, President of Poynter, shared insights on the report and how local journalism is evolving in ways that provide significant value to communities. The conversation highlighted the vitality of smaller, local news startups, alternative forms of content distribution, and the promise of AI.

Learn more at this episodes offical E&P page at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/redefining-value-neil-brown-breaks-down-poynters-vision-for-journalisms-future,251986

Maya Lau, a former investigative reporter for the Los Angeles Times, recently found herself at the center of a shocking revelation. For over three years, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department conducted a secret investigation against her, accusing her of receiving stolen property related to her reporting on a leaked list of problematic deputies. In a conversation on the podcast, Lau shared her experiences, reflections, and the chilling implications of law enforcement’s actions with E&P Publisher Mike Blinder.

Lean more on the episode's landing page at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/a-journalist-secretly-under-fire-the-hidden-investigation-of-maya-lau-by-the-la-sheriffs,251874