Media Insider: Gannett/GateHouse Merge, Fact-Checkers Lose More Digital Tools, Entercom Invests in Podcasts
THE WASHINGTON POST | JONATHAN O’CONNELL AND RACHEL SIEGEL
America’s two largest newspaper chains are joining forces. Will it save either?
Last week’s rumors are true: Two of America’s largest newspaper publishers, Gannett and GateHouse Media, will combine in a $1.4 billion deal. After a rough financial year, the companies are joining forces to take on the digital transformation of the newspaper industry by switching focus to digital subscribers. Can the new Gannett bounce back and continue investing in the newsroom or will this deal continue the trend of cuts and layoffs?
Learn more about how the merger will affect local media in Florida.
POYNTER | CRISTINA TARDÁGUILA
Fact-checkers have lost important digital tools — and will lose one more in September
As of September 29, Facebook-owned CrowdTangle will no longer offer Twitter data on its dashboard. Fact-checkers around the world use CrowdTangle daily to detect misinformation by monitoring and mapping the spread of social media content. Though fact-checkers understand the importance of improving privacy and data protection on social media platforms, they fear the loss of these easy-to-use resources will force them to use third-party tools that require a higher technical skillset. Fact-checkers are pleading for tech companies to find more balanced solutions by collaborating with people who work directly with the platforms.
From BuzzFeed: How Disinformation Spreads On Messaging Apps.
NIEMANLAB | NICHOLAS QUAH
Radio giant Entercom buys podcasters Pineapple Street Media and Cadence13
Another media giant invests in podcasts, proving podcasts are the future of digital media. This week, Entercom announced the acquisition of podcast companies Pineapple Street Media and Cadence13. Pineapple Street Media, soon-to-be Pineapple Street Studios, offers a large portfolio of original podcasts while Cadence13 offers successful experience in sales and distribution. Together, the companies will revamp Entercom’s digital audio brand Radio.com and increase customer offerings.
Read how iHeartMedia’s investment in podcasts turned into a global opportunity.
NPR | DAVID FOLKENFLIK
NPR Announces Newsroom Job Cuts Amid Restructuring
NPR announced a company-wide restructuring in an effort to add resources to areas of the company that need it most. Senior Vice President of News and Editorial Director Nancy Barnes advised that these changes are not about saving money, but rather a reallocation of funds to meet the company’s needs. The article states less than 10 people will be affected by this organizational shift.
ICYMI: Newspaper Guild charges Boston Globe management with unfair labor practices.
POYNTER | DORIS TRUONG
Knight Foundation invests $1.2 million to diversify newsrooms
On Monday, the Knight Foundation announced that $1.2 million – of a $300 million initiative to rebuild local news – will be invested in Maynard Institute’s new Equity and Inclusion Transformation Program. This program aims to transform the newsroom by placing training specialists in news organizations to help establish core workplace values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Knight Foundation and Maynard Institute hope to reset journalism’s perception of race so the newsroom and media coverage accurately portray all segments of society.
Listen: Behind the Media w/ Dan Lothian: Is Journalism an Elite Group?
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Erin Wade is a Senior Customer Content Specialist with PR Newswire. She is also an animal lover and aspiring world traveler. Tune into her insights as a social curator at @TotalCSR.
