Top News:


A Miami Herald reporter was barred from Florida governor's COVID-19 briefing on Saturday; a Herald editorial last week was critical of the governor's leadership — A reporter for the state capital bureau operated jointly by two of Florida's largest newspapers was denied access Saturday …
Discussion:
@maryellenklas, Tampa Bay Times, @evanasmith, @suzannenossel, @bgrueskin, @jeffreyguterman, @jkennedyreport, Law & Crime and @jbenton


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 …
Discussion:
@itsren, @altweeklies and @hollyanndoan


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.”
Discussion:
New York Times, @jeremymbarr, The Wrap, @aravosis, @davidfolkenflik, @gadyepstein, @dandrezner, @jayrosen_nyu, @dylanbyers, @davidfrum, Newser, @mikegrunwald, @marlownyc, @dellcam, @brianstelter, @mmasnick, @brianstelter, @walshfreedom, @amandacarpenter, @swin24, @dylanbyers, CNN, Breitbart, Broadcasting & Cable, Talking Biz News, TVNewser and Variety


The Philippines' COVID-19 state of emergency includes up to two months prison time, and fines of up to $19,500 for spreading “false news” — The Philippine Congress should repeal a recently enacted regulation that imposes criminal penalties for spreading 'false news …
Discussion:
cnn, RAPPLER, @pressfreedom, @pressfreedom, philstar.com and Slate


NY federal judge allows PEN America's suit against Trump to proceed over claims he violated First Amendment by revoking press badges, clearances in retaliation — A judge allows a limited lawsuit from PEN America. — A New York federal judge on Tuesday ruled that PEN America may proceed on some of its claims against Donald Trump.
Discussion:
PEN America, courthousenews.com, @rsf_en, MediaPost, @rubesqueue and @eriqgardner


ViacomCBS announces a $2.5B debt sale amid COVID-19-related economic uncertainty, following similar raises by Disney and Comcast; sale expected to close April 1 — ViacomCBS is the latest media conglom to tap the debt market, announcing plans to raise $2.5 billion by selling notes.
Discussion:
Seeking Alpha, MarketWatch, Hollywood Reporter, Broadcasting & Cable, Wall Street Journal, ViacomCBS Inc., The Wrap and Variety


NBC cedes primetime slot usually reserved for dramas to air hourlong coronavirus special reports on Tuesdays for at least three weeks, as viewership surges — NBC News will kick off a new show next week that's scheduled to appear for the next three Tuesdays.
Discussion:
TVNewser, @tvgrimreaper, @bristei, Deadline and Broadcasting & Cable


Podtrac: podcast downloads in the US have fallen ~10% and total unique listeners are down ~20% since the start of March, with true crime podcasts down the most — It seems everyone just wants the news, on TV and online, not a true crime podcast. — Since early March, when concerns around …
Discussion:
@whatthebit, @fortelabs, @genepark, @sherwoodstrauss, @iamgmjohnson, @sonnybunch, @aleyda, @carnage4life, Podtrac Measurement Blog and @eshap, more at Techmeme »


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.
Discussion:
@bmorrissey, @raju and Editor & Publisher Magazine


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.
Discussion:
Daily Mail, Variety, @reflectingman, @lilyhnewman, @zackwhittaker, @oliverdarcy, Newsweek, Gizmodo, The Verge, 9to5Google and Matt's Newsletter


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.
Discussion:
Washington Post, @kdoctor, @jaredrutecki, @lucasgrindley, @niemanlab and @jbenton