Top News:
David Smiley / Miami Herald:
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 …
Dan Kennedy / WGBH.org:
How digital-only local news outlets across the US are facing the daunting economic and logistical challenges in covering the COVID-19 pandemic — From the Berkshires to the bayou, from the Pacific Northwest to southeastern Massachusetts, the COVID-19 pandemic is tearing through local newspapers.
Discussion:
@dankennedy_nu, @spj_tweets, @dankennedy_nu and Media Nation
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Ken Doctor / Nieman Lab:
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.
Discussion:
The Colorado Sun, @pdbeth, @craigsilverman, @kdoctor, @jbenton, @jbenton, @jbenton, @jbenton and Slate
Rick Edmonds / Poynter:
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
Elizabeth Jensen / NPR:
NPR's public editor on NPR and member stations' approaches to airing Trump's briefings, and how they square with its mission to “serve the public and democracy” — KUOW, an NPR Member station in Seattle, said earlier this week that it will no longer air the daily White House Coronavirus Task Force briefings live.
Discussion:
@gniewijk, @celesteheadlee, @wusfschreiner and @rossgarber
Jill Goldsmith / Deadline:
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, ViacomCBS Inc., Hollywood Reporter, Broadcasting & Cable, Wall Street Journal, The Wrap and Variety
Eriq Gardner / Hollywood Reporter:
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, @rubesqueue, @eriqgardner and MediaPost
Committee to Protect Journalists:
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
Brian Steinberg / 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:
@tvgrimreaper, @bristei, TVNewser, Deadline and Broadcasting & Cable
Lucinda Southern / Digiday:
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 and @raju
Lily Hay Newman / Wired:
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, @reflectingman, @lilyhnewman, @zackwhittaker, Variety, @oliverdarcy, Gizmodo, 9to5Google, Newsweek, The Verge and Matt's Newsletter
Kali Hays / WWD:
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:
@raju, @fortelabs, @genepark, @sherwoodstrauss, @iamgmjohnson, @sonnybunch, @whatthebit, @aleyda, @carnage4life, @eshap and Podtrac Measurement Blog