Top News:
Kayla Epstein / Business Insider:
After suspending rallies, Trump is using his White House press briefings on the COVID-19 crisis to amplify campaign rhetoric and continue attacks on the media — - Social distancing means that President Trump can't hold his signature rallies right now — and might not be able to for months.
Discussion:
PressThink, Breitbart, docu-mental, Poynter, Vanity Fair, Newser and The Atlantic
RELATED:
Paul Farhi / Washington Post:
The White House beat, one of the most prestigious jobs in journalism, becomes one of the most anxiety-provoking, while the ranks thin due to social distancing — The White House beat is one of the most prominent assignments in journalism, and one of the most prestigious.
Discussion:
@kevinmkruse, CNN, Mediaite, @atrupar, @atrupar, Deadline, @peteralexander, @brentnyt, @mspackyetti, @spj_tweets, @helenkennedy, @mehdirhasan, @kevinmkruse, @toddhgreen, @farhip, @3setsoften, @susan_hennessey, @arashmarkazi, @ericmgarcia, @atrupar, @atrupar, @oliverdarcy, @w7voa, @amyargetsinger, @atompkins, @catherine_lucey, Breitbart, Washington Post, Washington Post, CNN, Raw Story, Politico and Mediaite
CNN:
Former WH press secretary Sean Spicer returned to the briefing room as a reporter, asking questions of Trump, who took his queries without using Spicer's name — Reporter asks Trump: What do you say to scared Americans? — (CNN)Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer …
Discussion:
@blakehounshell, @jasminramsey, Washington Post, Business Insider and Fox News
George P. Slefo / Ad Age:
Despite increased traffic, publishers' ad revenue is down partially because ad tech companies blacklist coronavirus content in the name of brand safety — The inability to monetize pandemic coverage is thwarting publishers' ability to fund the news, media outlets say
Discussion:
Wall Street Journal, Digiday, @pskendra, @zackruskin and @rypauley
RELATED:
Marc Tracy / New York Times:
A look at COVID-19's effect on bigger newsrooms, as journalists work remotely and ad sales fall, even as traffic nearly doubles at sites like NYT, LAT, and WSJ — Many journalists are covering a once-in-a-lifetime story from home, thanks to Zoom and Slack. But as readers flock to large news outlets, ads are starting to disappear.
Brent Lang / Variety:
Netflix creates a $100M fund to support cast and crew members laid off from Netflix projects, with $15M to go to third parties and nonprofits — Netflix has created a $100 million relief fund to help members of the creative community who have been left unemployed and without a way to earn an income during the coronavirus crisis.
Discussion:
Netflix Media Center, Fast Company, Deadline, @lizgarbus, Gizmodo, PAPER, Boing Boing, /Film, The Playlist, Observer and Business Insider, more at Techmeme »
Madeline Lenahan / Apptopia Blog:
Since January, WaPo, NYT, WSJ app daily downloads are up 76%, 58%, and 39%, respectively; News aggregator apps News Break and Smart News have also soared — To stay informed on the rapidly evolving situation that is COVID-19, people are looking for trusted sources to provide national and local updates.
Discussion:
Fortune, The Wrap and Washington Post
Trey Williams / The Wrap:
Movie listings service Moviefone is sold for ~$1M as part of a bankruptcy auction by MoviePass owner, which had acquired Moviefone from Oath in 2018 — Helios & Matheson filed for bankruptcy after blowing through millions of dollars to keep its MoviePass business up and running.
Charlotte Tobitt / Press Gazette:
UK classifies journalists and broadcasters reporting on the COVID-19 crisis as “key workers”, giving them access to education, childcare while schools are shut — The Government has classed all journalists who are reporting on the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic as “key workers” …
Discussion:
Republic World, @jgibbins and @nat_fahy
Charlotte Tobitt / Press Gazette:
Italian government has classified newspapers as a basic necessity and allowed kiosks to remain open; some dailies have seen increased sales despite the lockdown — Newspapers in Northern Italy and Hong Kong have no plans to stop printing despite a dip in advertising revenues brought on by coronavirus …
Lara O'Reilly / Digiday:
Children's linear TV ratings rise with COVID-19: Cartoon Network's total day viewing grew 58% this week, Disney Channel 43%, Boomerang 31%, and Nickelodeon 25% — Children's linear TV ratings have been in a slump for years as children's viewing habits shifted to online streaming, social and gaming platforms.
Discussion:
@mulvihill79, Deadline and Music Industry Blog
Alex Weprin / Hollywood Reporter:
Filing: Walt Disney Company has raised $6B in a new debt offering “for general corporate purposes”; company had long-term debt of $38B+ at end of fiscal 2019 — In the filing, the company says it intends “to use the net proceeds from the sale of the notes for general corporate purposes …