Quick Hits
Here is a lot of informative news from around the world of local journalism. Enjoy!
Learn:
"The latest paper to close, today, is the Gallatin North Missourian, whose retirement-bound owners announced May 5 that they would close the paper if they didn't find a buyer. They didn't, and the paper's closure is unusual because, unlike most weeklies, it has its own press."
“We can’t survive unless we continue to provide good journalism, good reporting — you need relevant, valuable content for readers.”
"One of America's larger community newspaper companies is buying the other."
"Alden Global Capital's purchase of Tribune Co. was approved this week, and that is very bad news for local communities. Now is the moment for communities to stop worrying and take action."
"Positive stories about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people doing great things - innovations, starting their own companies, fashion labels, artists doing amazing things, authors," she says. "Those types of positive stories tend to get ignored in the mainstream, but they're our bread and butter."
"If your news organization doesn’t run consumer/reader contests, you could be missing out on some of the biggest drivers of revenue, email acquisition and first-party data."
"One benefit of being a nonprofit newsroom is being able to receive tax-deductible donations from foundations and other philanthropic givers. But if you don’t have nonprofit status yet, or if you’d prefer to remain a for-profit news organization, you can still work with a fiscal sponsor to receive those donations on your behalf."
"This increase will have detrimental effects on small businesses, including small-market and rural newspapers that cannot afford the increased costs, particularly as they strive to recover from the economic impact of COVID-19. The average increase for market-dominant mail, including First Class, Periodicals and Marketing Mail, is 6.9 percent. Periodical mail, which is used by local newspapers across the country, will see a rate increase of more than 8 percent on average."
Weather is a huge driver for TV stations on air and online. Twitter encroaching on their turf with a paid product could be a turning point for the TV news business. Quite honestly, weather is local, and I'm surprised more local publications didn't invest more in weather to challenge TV station dominance.
Remember when we profiled Axios's foray into local news via newsletters? The team of two in the Twin Cities is now a team of three. Expect more expansion into local markets.
"Here's how he explains the value to potential advertisers."
"From a competitive pool of applicants, a panel of independent judges selected 12 talented writers globally to receive an array of benefits, including mentorship from experienced journalists, access to specialized services including design and business strategy, and cash advances of up to $100,000."
This An' 'At:
“This is definitely something that I wanted to see happen; it was just unaffordable for me to do it, and now it’s done.” said Williams-Dillard, whose grandfather, Cecil E. Newman founded the Spokesman along with the St. Paul Recorder, the Twin-City Herald and the Timely Digest.
"The Post’s archives are online. The Evening Star’s, too. Why is the Gazette’s important? Logan said it’s because the reality residents live with today — from roads to development; solid waste removal to public transportation — was thrashed out in those pages. No one covers local news like a local paper."
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Thanks!
That's all for this week.
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Thanks again, stay safe, and we'll talk soon.
Jim.
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