Media Insider: FOIA Turns 50, Publisher Apps Rebound, Massive Shakeup at Politico
Welcome to Media Insider, PR Newswire’s round up of journalism, blogging and freelancing stories from the week.
From Nieman Reports: Fifty Years of the Freedom of Information Act (Nieman Lab)
The Freedom of Information Act turns 50 years old. Nieman Lab readers might find this piece by John Dyer interesting about how journalists are innovating ways to use the law. For example, Nieman Lab reports that data obtained through a FOIA request gave a Colorado Springs Gazette reporter the “confidence to do something bigger.” The result was a Pulitzer Prize-winning series.
Shakeup at Politico as Co-Founder, Others Set to Leave (WTOP)
WTOP reports Politico will see big changes this year. The news operation will lose its co-founder and other members of its leadership team. Those leaving include co-founder and CEO Jim VandeHei; Kim Kingsley, the chief operating officer; Roy Schwartz, the chief revenue officer; Mike Allen, chief White House correspondent and author of the Politico Playbook; and Danielle Jones, an executive vice president.
Yahoo Will Lay Off 15 Percent of Its Workforce (Wired)
Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer announced this week big changes to prove to investors it still has a real future as a tech giant, Wired reports. “Today, we’re announcing a strategic plan that we strongly believe will enable us to accelerate Yahoo’s transformation,” Mayer said, in a statement. Ahead of the company’s quarterly earnings call, Yahoo said it’s planning to lay off 15 percent of the company (around 1,700 employees) and close offices in Dubai, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Madrid, and Milan, Wired says.
Publishers’ On-Again, Off-Again Relationship With Apps is Back On (Digiday)
Digiday reports there’s evidence that publisher interest in apps is on the rebound. Refinery29 recently launched its first app, and Quartz plans to release its first app later this year. The Wall Street Journal launched two apps in the second half of 2015 and plans to launch three more in 2016, Digiday says. And, young digital publishers, including BuzzFeed News, Bustle and Mic also launched apps over the past year.
The Wall Street Journal Reorganizes Its Newsroom (Politico)
Wall Street Journal editor-in-chief Gerard Baker recently announced changes to the Journal’s newsroom, including a complete reworking of the paper’s Page One structure, Politico reports. As part of the restructure, Page One will be divided into two teams responsible for news and enterprise.
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Christine Cube is an audience relations manager with PR Newswire and freelance writer. Follow @cpcube or check out her latest on Beyond Bylines on PR Newswire for Journalists.
