Media Insider: NewsGuild Files Charges Against Gannett, Guardian Launches Magazine, CherryRoad Buys 20 Papers
Welcome to Media Insider, PR Newswire’s roundup of media news stories from the week.
AXIOS | SARA FISCHER
Labor-Management Hostility Erupts in Gannett Newsrooms
The NewsGuild of New York has filed unfair labor practice charges against Gannett, the largest local media company in the country, according to documents reviewed by Axios. Conversations with journalists across several Gannett newsrooms reveal attempts by Gannett management to undermine union efforts via alleged threats to pay increases, 401(k) matches, and diversity initiatives. Last week, CNN reported that NewsGuild President Jon Schleuss sent a letter to Gannett CEO Mike Reed warning that the Guild planned to launch an investigation into the company’s handling of overtime pay after Gannett staffers tweeted about the issue.
Axios made news of its own with its ambitious plan to launch newsletters from small teams in more markets.
MEDIAPOST | RAY SCHULTZ
Guardian Launches Saturday, Super-Sized Magazine, Email Newsletters
Bucking the trend toward smaller print sizes, UK newspaper The Guardian has launched a super-sized magazine, titled Saturday. The first issue, featuring climate activist Greta Thunberg on the cover, appeared on Saturday. The initial issue of the lavishly designed magazine contains over 100 pages and includes interviews with Thurnberg, novelist Jonathan Franzine, and Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka. The Guardian is also launching two email newsletters: Inside Saturday, giving an inside look at the making of one of the week’s features, and The Guide, a pop culture title covering film, TV, and music that has been popular in print form.
ICYMI: TikTok hits 1 billion monthly users worldwide.
KANSAS CITY BUSINESS JOURNAL | BRIAN KABERLINE
CherryRoad Buys Group of Newspapers in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska
New Jersey-based CherryRoad Media Inc. announced an agreement to buy 20 newspapers from Gannett. CherryRoad is a relative newcomer to the newspaper industry. The company bought a weekly paper in Minnesota late last year and has since purchased four properties in Arkansas and another in Alabama, and started another in International Falls, Minn. The new acquisition includes 13 publications in Kansas, four in Missouri, two in Nebraska, and one in Iowa.
Read next: Time partners with Charter to expand into future of work coverage.
NIEMANLAB | JOSHUA BENTON
The New York Times Is Looking for Recruits for Its New Corps
The New York Times is launching a first-of-its-kind talent pipeline program for early-college students to receive career guidance from Times journalists over a multiyear period. The program, named The New York Times Corps, will pair college freshmen, sophomores, and some juniors who aspire to have journalism careers with Times journalists. Students will talk with their advisers perhaps two or three times a year, up to the duration of students’ undergraduate careers. Those conversations will focus specifically on career-building advice. Occasional speakers, training, and activities will punctuate the experience.
Last week, the Times announced the first members of its new Editing Residency program.
BOSTON.COM | JULIA TALIESIN
The Globe and Boston Black News launch community-focused radio program
The Boston Globe launched “Black News Hour,” a one-hour radio show that brings local Black stories and historical moments to the forefront of conversations. The show was created in partnership with Boston Black News, Boston’s first and only faith-based, Black-owned, FCC licensed FM station and multimedia network. “Black News Hour” will develop a space for Boston’s Black community to engage and connect with Globe journalists, deepening connections and building stronger relationships between the community and local media.
In more multicultural news, the San Diego Union-Tribune and Los Angeles Times have launched a news show to highlight Latino stories.
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Maria Perez is director of web operations at Cision. In her spare time, she enjoys kickboxing, baking, and cuddling with her dog Toody.
