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Monday, January 29
by The Fix Team

Real AI strategies; news media layoffs

Hello and big welcome to our new subscribers from Contexte, Le Télégramme, The European Perspective, Nepal Investigative Multimedia Journalism Network, and many others.

2024 will be the year of “real AI strategies” as AI hype goes down and practical use cases show up, David Tvrdon wrote for The Fix citing the Reuters Institute's annual trends and predictions report.

As just one example, the use of AI tools like Jasper and Microsoft in podcast production is moving from “theoretical, nice-to-have” to “really real” this quarter, iHeartMedia’s digital audio chief told Digiday.

If your newsroom still has some catching up to do on your AI approach, start with The Fix’s new interview with AI consultant Mattia Peretti who offers helpful advice and a set of useful resources and people to follow. 

Also in today’s newsletter: 

• More advice on election coverage for the coming year of elections from The Fix;

• News and analysis on the latest round of news media layoffs in the US and Europe;

• Learning opportunities, job openings, and much more.

And, The Fix is running a survey. Take three to five minutes to respond to a few questions about our newsletter – and get a chance to connect with our team if you’d like to. Your feedback would be really helpful!

From The Fix

What we are following

Who is to blame for mass layoffs in the (American) news industry? The Rebooting’s Brian Morissey compiled “some of the villains”, from the loss of the hold over distribution to leadership failures.

How should publishers approach community management, particularly curating comment sections, to promote healthy discussions rather than toxicity and harassment? Mx3 spoke with Andrew Losowsky, Head of Community Product at Vox Media and creator of Coral commenting system.

Industry news

The US news industry saw a new round of layoffs and restructuring over the past weeks as both legacy outlets and digital media startups are struggling financially. The Los Angeles Times, one of the biggest newspapers in the US and the biggest in California, laid off 115 journalists. Layoffs also happened at Time magazine, Forbes, Insider and other outlets. Sports Illustrated, an iconic sports magazine, announced mass layoffs with the future of the publication uncertain. And, online music outlet Pitchfork was merged with GQ by its parent company Condé Nast.

In Europe, Mediahuis Ireland announced job cuts with some 50 jobs, including 30 newsroom roles, at risk. London-based fintech news outlet AltFi shut down last week, causing an estimated 15 people to lose their jobs.

The situation with press freedom in Kyrgyzstan took a turn for the worse over the past several weeks as the authorities raided the offices of several news organisations and arrested journalists. 11 journalists collaborating with the Temirov Live investigative project and other outlets were detained under charges of calling for mass unrest. The project’s founder Bolot Temirov and media experts connected the arrests with journalistic investigations into the Kyrgyz government. In the meanwhile, the office of news outlet 24.kg was targeted in a police raid.

Press freedom in Kyrgyzstan started worsening a few years ago. As RFE/RL notes, “[f]or so long Central Asia’s standout country for independent journalism, intrepid reporting, and media innovation, Kyrgyzstan fell fully 50 places in global media monitor Reporters Without Borders’ most recent global ranking”. Other independent media organisations are also facing legal and financial problems. The situation could further deteriorate as a new media law is being considered by the parliament.

Opportunities and deadlines

Executive learning programme for Western Balkan media. A network of media organisations hosts a programme for media leaders focusing on developing skills in media organisation building and advancing careers. The learning series will revolve around three onsite workshops in Warsaw, Skopje and Belgrade. Applications from representatives of Western Balkan media will be considered. 

More info: https://bit.ly/3SAzPBH 

Deadline: Feb 15

Media Blend Hackathon. The Media Development Foundation and International Press Institute launched an open call for media teams willing to participate in the Media Blend Hackathon. This is an opportunity for media-related professionals in Europe to explore business models in journalism, receive mentorship from industry leaders, pitch your ideas for media sustainability, win a grant prize and more. Travel expenses to Sarajevo, where the event takes place, will be covered. 

More info: https://bit.ly/3HBaGAg 

Deadline: March 10

Webinar: The Investigative Agenda for Climate Change Journalism. The Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) will conduct a webinar on the top priorities in investigative climate journalism. This virtual event includes live interpretations into Arabic, French and Spanish.

More info: https://bit.ly/42ekVnK  

When: Feb 6

Job openings

Digital Communications Manager. Thomson Reuters Foundation is seeking a digital communications manager to oversee its digital activities and develop content for internal and external audiences. To apply, you need to have experience in digital communications and fluent English. The position is based in London. 

More info: https://bit.ly/42ghWel 

Deadline: Open until filled 

Legal Officer. European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) is looking for a legal officer to help maintain the organisation’s legal support programme. Successful candidates should have at least a year of professional experience, relevant education as well as proficiency in English. The position is based in Leipzig, Germany.  

More info: https://bit.ly/3vQD3rE

Deadline: Feb 5