233 New York State implements historic tax credits to support local journalism.
"E & P Reports" from Editor & Publisher Magazine hosted by Mike Blinder
Release Date: 04/20/2024
A legal stand against Google: Helena World v. Google and the battle for journalism’s future
"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...
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259 Inside the Lenfest-OpenAI-Microsoft partnership: One-on-one with Jim Friedlich
"E & P Reports" from Editor & Publisher Magazine hosted by Mike Blinder
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...
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258 Exploring the boundaries of journalism: Amy S. Mitchell on CNTI’s Defining News Initiative
"E & P Reports" from Editor & Publisher Magazine hosted by Mike Blinder
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 “.” 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:
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258 From survival to sustainability: RFA’s new Accelerator Program helping newsrooms tap into new revenue
"E & P Reports" from Editor & Publisher Magazine hosted by Mike Blinder
Since its founding in 2017, 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 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,...
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256 Unlocking the value of local news consumers: Data-driven strategies for media growth
"E & P Reports" from Editor & Publisher Magazine hosted by Mike Blinder
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 , and Phillip Beswick, CEO of , 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...
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255 Unpacking the NNA/ HHS rural public health ad campaign
"E & P Reports" from Editor & Publisher Magazine hosted by Mike Blinder
(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 “. 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...
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254 An interview with ChatGPT: How AI responds to tough questions
"E & P Reports" from Editor & Publisher Magazine hosted by Mike Blinder
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...
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253 Inside the newsroom of the Springfield (OH) News-Sun
"E & P Reports" from Editor & Publisher Magazine hosted by Mike Blinder
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:
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252 Redefining value: Neil Brown breaks down Poynter’s vision for journalism’s future
"E & P Reports" from Editor & Publisher Magazine hosted by Mike Blinder
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 “” 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,...
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251 A journalist secretly under fire: The hidden investigation of Maya Lau by the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department
"E & P Reports" from Editor & Publisher Magazine hosted by Mike Blinder
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:
info_outlineIn a groundbreaking move, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a 2025 state budget that includes $90 million in tax credits for local news media outlets, marking a significant victory for the press and local journalism.
The Empire State Local News Coalition, which helped champion this legislation, initially formed with 100 news publishers in February 2024 to work together and advocate for what was originally introduced as the New York State Local Journalism Sustainability Act. In just a few months, the coalition expanded to over 200 news outlets.
Rebuild Local News, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that advances public policies to help local news and community journalism, posted a press release supporting the legislation, stating that this is “the largest sum that any state has devoted to help struggling community news organizations.”
The new legislation offers $30 million in guaranteed tax credits for three years, with $13 million each year allocated for news organizations with fewer than 100 employees, $13 million for larger ones and $4 million to support new hires.
Caveats within the legislation include:
- No single newsroom can get more than $320,000 each year.
- The subsidy to newsrooms will be based on the number of employees.
- The refundable tax credit offered will be 50% of the salary of any employee up to a $50,000 wage.
- Publicly traded corporations are excluded.
Zack Richner, a New York news publishing executive and the founder of the Empire State Local News Coalition, stated during this episode of E&P Reports, "The success of our coalition demonstrates the power of collaboration and advocacy in shaping policies that support local journalism and empower communities."
Steven Waldman, CEO and founder of Rebuild Local News, who worked with the Empire State Local News Coalition to get this legislation passed, emphasized the importance of designing policies with safeguards to prevent potential infringements on journalistic independence. He stated, "We must ensure that any government involvement in funding journalism is accompanied by robust safeguards to preserve press freedom and integrity."
Both Richner and Waldman stressed their hope that this legislation's impact will extend far beyond the borders of New York State. With initiatives underway in California and Illinois, the momentum generated by the Empire State's success aims to spark a nationwide movement.