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Fox Business “parted ways” with Trish Regan; the move comes after Regan's on-air dismissal in early March of COVID-19 concerns as an attempt to impeach Trump — The Fox Business host was officially let go on Friday more than two weeks after she ranted against the “coronavirus impeachment scam.”
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Even as the pandemic spurs newfound value in local news, boosting digital subscriptions, publishers are uncertain they can overcome the collapse in ad revenue — The coronavirus pandemic is proving the value of local news to millions of readers, driving up subscriptions. But the advertising collapse is knee-buckling.
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CEOs of News Media Alliance and the Local Media Association say they expect devastating revenue loss for members but say small publishers can still survive — ‘Our members have gone from a weak financial position to a horrible financial condition’ — Leaders of associations that represent …
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@itsren, @altweeklies and @hollyanndoan


Under the CARES Act, outlets with under 1,000 staff can apply to a $300B fund, while bigger chains compete with retailers and others for money from a $454B fund — The multi-trillion-dollar CARES Act should extend a lifeline to many small local publishers.
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@kdoctor, @jaredrutecki, @lucasgrindley, @niemanlab and @jbenton


Google removes Infowars app from Play Store, citing misinformation, after a video posted in the app disputed the need for measures to contain the coronavirus — Apple kicked Alex Jones out of the App Store in 2018. The Google Play Store has finally followed suit.
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Variety, Daily Mail, @reflectingman, @lilyhnewman, Newsweek, @zackwhittaker, @oliverdarcy, The Verge, Gizmodo, 9to5Google and Matt's Newsletter


China shuts down all cinemas again, after reopening 600 of them over the past week, without providing an official explanation for the shut down — Over the past two weeks, movie theaters had begun to gradually reopen in the country. No reason was given for the abrupt reversal …
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Deadline, Variety, @brianpshea, @irinatsukerman, @variety, @jeffdlowe, @alanmcole, @zeitchikwapo, @frankpallotta, Forbes, Business Insider, Vanity Fair, IndieWire and The Week


Digital media like BuzzFeed, Group Nine, and Vice were all expected to earn profits in 2020, but now executives warn staff of layoffs while publicly keeping mum — New York (CNN Business)2020 was supposed to be a banner year for digital media. BuzzFeed, Group Nine, and Vice each indicated …
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@aggancarski, @nandoodles, @kerrymflynn, @kerrymflynn, @kerrymflynn and @kerrymflynn


National Geographic Society launches a global fund for journalists covering COVID-19, with an emphasis on underserved groups and funding from $1,000-$8,000 — Please note: This call for proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications may be submitted until further notice.
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@bradfordpearson, @opennews, @bradfordpearson and @penguinsix


Iran has ordered media to use only official statistics when covering COVID-19, told journalists to avoid investigative reporting, and harassed those who do — As coronavirus spreads in Iran, authorities have moved swiftly and aggressively to contain independent reporting about it by harassing …
Discussion:
@niemanlab, @jimfryvoa and @penamerica


Facebook to add new features to make Live easier to use, including an audio-only mode, automatic closed captions, and letting logged-out users watch streams — Automatic closed captioning and an audio-only mode — COVID-19 and its resulting social distancing measures have inspired lots …


Q&A with the CEO of Bloomberg Media, which saw new subs in March grow by 86% month-over-month and the week ending March 20 as its highest since paywall's debut — During these nerve-wracking times, for public health as well as economic health, people's appetite for trusted news has sky rocketed.
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Editor & Publisher Magazine


Internal memo: WarnerMedia commits to $100M+ relief fund for its workers affected by production shutdowns across WarnerMedia; HBO Max on schedule for May launch — WarnerMedia will pledge $100 million in relief to workers affected by wide production shutdowns in film and television …
Discussion:
@loudmouthjulia, @mattdonnelly, Hollywood Reporter and The Wrap