236 Detroit PBS CEO Rich Homberg's mission to redefine public media
"E & P Reports" from Editor & Publisher Magazine hosted by Mike Blinder
Release Date: 05/11/2024
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_outlineDetroit Public Television, now rebranded as Detroit PBS, is making a notable return to the heart of the city, signifying a renewed dedication to serving its community with quality, trust, and fairness in media. In this exclusive interview with Rich Homberg, President & CEO of Detroit PBS, he reflects on his journey into public media and the organization's strategic shift towards strengthening local content. Homberg, whose background lies in commercial radio sales and news operations, shares insights into the evolving landscape of public media and the imperative for strong local journalism.
During his 20-minute interview with E&P Publisher Mike Blinder, Homberg emphasized, “We are producing more content than we've ever produced in our history. However, simultaneously, we use, engage, and pivot off of national content as much as any station in the system.” Homberg went on to state, “Our core values are posted on the wall: Diversity, Engagement, Trust, Innovation. This is the mindset inside our building that we install on a regular basis.” Homberg offered to share a recent PowerPoint slide deck with E&P that offers an overview of the operation’s business model.
With Detroit PBS's commitment to producing more content than ever before, Homberg discusses the organization's expansion efforts and its role as a hub for media production and community engagement. The forthcoming Detroit PBS campus, situated in the Milwaukee Junction neighborhood, aims to foster collaboration and innovation while serving as a beacon for local journalism. “We're building a building that has capacity for 147, with an eye towards bringing partners. It'll have 120 parking spots, and it will be an engagement center. It'll be a place to come to. That's not aspirational. It's what we do.”
Reflecting on the challenges and opportunities in public media, Homberg champions the power of partnerships and collaboration. He cites examples of successful public television stations across the country, highlighting their innovative approaches to community engagement and content delivery. As Detroit PBS prepares for its next chapter in the heart of the city, Homberg remains optimistic about the organization's potential to make a significant impact, emphasizing the importance of embracing opportunities and working together towards a shared vision of excellence in media.