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While Trump's new briefings draw strong TV ratings, some journalists and health experts worry about airing misleading or wrong information and personal attacks — The president's viewership has rivaled the audiences for hit reality shows and prime-time football. But some worry about misinformation.
Discussion:
The Daily Beast, @gabrielsherman, The Wrap, Mediaite, TVNewser, @noahshachtman, @bgrueskin, @sejorg, @gabrielsherman, @gabrielsherman, @lisamarieboothe, @ericboehlert, @kris_sacrebleu, @speechboy71, @thedailybeast, @gadyepstein, @mollymckew, @farhip, @philiprucker, @elistokols, @atrupar, @mlcalderone, New York Post, @jonlemire, @mattnegrin, @grynbaum, @jimwindolf, @jayrosen_nyu, @ddale8, @harrysiegel and @4a_of
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Fox News anchors, from its supposedly hard-hitting news division, failed to challenge Trump as he repeatedly misled viewers during the coronavirus town hall — New York (CNN Business)Anchors at Fox News failed to meaningfully challenge President Trump as he repeatedly misled …


Memo: BuzzFeed announces graduated salary cuts in April and May, with staffers in the lowest bracket facing 5% cuts and executives taking 14% to 25% cuts — Some staffers, including executives, will see a nearly 25-percent pay cut. And one source said CEO Jonah Peretti will not take a salary as the crisis continues.
Discussion:
@bfnewsunion, Variety, @maxwelltani, The Hill, The Wrap, @elanazak, @daveyalba, @hugh_ryan, @jasonleopold, @xpangler, @katenocera, @dandawkins, @binarybits, @dennishuynh, @futterish, @kfile, @benyt, @scottbix, @mattdpearce, @mattdpearce, @genepark, @tomgara, @mat, @maxwelltani, @stevekovach, @walldo, @emilyctamkin, @mdudas and @dylanbyers


What a stimulus package for journalism should look like, including doubling federal funds for public media and direct support for daily and weekly newsrooms — The coronavirus COVID-19 has upended everything, including business as usual in Washington. In a matter of days …
Discussion:
The Atlantic, American Press Institute, @benyt, @jpmarthoz, Free Press, @stevenrenderos, @elizwgreen, @jenwsheehan, @melissayeagr, @towcenter, @devonterrill, @katfominykh, @savethenews, @joshuamckerrow, @rasmus_kleis, @theatlideas, @jcstearns, @timkarr, @jcstearns, @ellgood, @spj_tweets, @nickcharles61, @jcstearns, @joelcpj, @jamesfallows, @alex_burness, @mckaycoppins, @harmonylion1, @patbagley and @mckaycoppins


TV hosts are adapting to realities of covering a pandemic from studios in bedrooms and basements, losing video quality but with a new efficiency and intimacy — New York (CNN Business)Many of America's most popular and influential television hosts are now broadcasting live from bedrooms and basements.
Discussion:
@cwarzel, @condenast, @kyleclark, The Guardian, @kerrymflynn and @brianstelter


Twitter, which recently updated safety policies for COVID-19, blocked a tweet by The Federalist saying it's time to consider “controlled voluntary infection” — A tweet by conservative online magazine The Federalist, which suggested people should deliberately infect themselves …
Discussion:
Mediaite, VICE, The Hill, @frankluntz, @dylanbyers, @neontaster, @frankluntz, @jessicahuseman, @heathmayo, @slpng_giants and @zackwhittaker


Governments around the world are using the pandemic to crack down on journalists and implement sweeping restrictions under the guise of combating “fake news” — In his remarks to the media and the public, World Health Organization director general Tedros Adhanom has regularly emphasized …
Discussion:
Committee to Protect …, Global Investigative … and Poynter
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NYT, WSJ, WaPo publishers call on China to reverse its expulsion of their journalists: “the media is collateral damage in a diplomatic dispute”
Discussion:
Vox, @drvox, @cjr, @penamerica, @austinramzy, @goldkorn, @meslackman, @gerryshih, @davidnakamura, @relevantorgans, @voanews, @raju, @kenroth, The Wrap, The Hill, Fox News, New York Times, Reuters and The Guardian


Pew survey: 57% of Americans who rely mostly on social media for political and election news say they've seen “news” that seemed made up about COVID-19 — While coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic consumes the nation's news, people whose most common pathway to political and election news …
Discussion:
TechCrunch, Adweek, @thejennchen, @pewresearch, CNET, @pewresearch and @pewjournalism, more at Techmeme »


Analyst estimates Facebook and Google could lose $44B+ in 2020 global ad revenue due to COVID-19; Facebook says its ad business has weakened in affected places — Ad spending is falling off a cliff amid the COVID-19 pandemic — and Facebook and Google, the two heavyweights in digital advertising …
Discussion:
Ad Age, @dcnorg, @bobbycblanchard, @pkafka, @loudmouthjulia, @pkafka, The Verge and Hollywood Reporter, more at Techmeme »


Some major towns in the UK lose their only print newspaper, leaving self-isolating older people without trusted news sources, as JPI Media suspends 12 titles — Many self-isolating older people left without trusted news source as presses stop rolling — Major towns including Milton Keynes …
Discussion:
Press Gazette, @craigsilverman, @pressgazette, @jimwaterson, @owen_g, @pressgazette and Press Gazette


Pittsburgh-area newspapers cut staff, suspend or combine print editions, and launch fundraising appeals, as a 175-year old weekly permanently closes — The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a harsh toll on news media in the Pittsburgh region including layoffs, suspension of print editions and, in at least one case, permanent closure.
Discussion:
Washington Post, @pittsburghpg, @timcast, @joyce_gannon, @brianstelter, @charliedee71, @elysetoribio and Fox News


The Athletic COO says readership numbers fell in recent days and revenue growth is expected to slow but it still has a “clear line of sight to profitability” — US website valued at $500m drops paywall after loss of big events challenges its purpose
Discussion:
@muradahmed, @niemanlab and @dcnorg

Discovery withdraws its previous outlook for FY 2020 and will borrow $500M to “increase its cash position and maximize flexibility” during the pandemic — Discovery will borrow $500 million under its credit facility to boost its cash position the latest media company to scramble to deal the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
Discussion:
ir.corporate.discovery.com, @benmullin and The Wrap


AMC Theatres has furloughed 600+ employees at its Kansas headquarters, including CEO Adam Aron; staffers get reduced or no pay but keep health insurance access — EXCLUSIVE, Updated: AMC has issued a statement in regards to the news today that it has furloughed 600 employees at its headquarter in Leawood, KS.


BBC News has suspended plans, announced in January, to cut 450 jobs as it faces the demands of covering the coronavirus pandemic — BBC News has suspended plans to cut 450 jobs as it faces the demands of covering the coronavirus pandemic. — The job losses were announced in January …
Discussion:
Press Gazette, Financial Times, @gazettepaul, @franklangfitt, @rogermosey, @libdemdaisy, @hannahfearn, @andycomfort and @jimwaterson