Mediagazer: 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” (Elizabeth Jensen/NPR)

9:35 AM ET, March 29, 2020

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 …

Discussion: @maryellenklas, Tampa Bay Times, @evanasmith, @suzannenossel, @bgrueskin, @jeffreyguterman, @jkennedyreport, @audreycoopersf, @mikevansickler, @therickwilson, @davidfrum, @dmrevans, @peterbakernyt, @bubbaprog, @miamiherald and @jbenton

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

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

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More News:

Beatrice Verhoeven / The Wrap:
Disney closes California's Disneyland and Florida's Disney World indefinitely, after initially planning to close through March, will pay staff through April 18

Discussion: @ashkan, /Film, @lukemmoney, Orlando Sentinel, Newsweek, Forbes, Reuters, Los Angeles Times, Fox News, CNET, Variety and Deadline

Matt Donnelly / Variety:
Internal memo: WarnerMedia commits to $100M+ relief fund for its workers affected by production shutdowns across WarnerMedia; HBO Max on schedule for May launch

Discussion: @loudmouthjulia, @mattdonnelly, The Wrap and Hollywood Reporter

Earlier Picks:

Patrick Brzeski / Hollywood Reporter:
China shuts down all cinemas again, after reopening 600 of them over the past week, without providing an official explanation for the shut down

Discussion: @thr, @brianpshea, Deadline, @irinatsukerman, @variety, @jeffdlowe, @alanmcole, @zeitchikwapo, @frankpallotta, Variety, Forbes, Business Insider, Vanity Fair and The Week

From Techmeme:

Mark Gurman / Bloomberg:
Sources: Apple is working on a smart doorbell system with advanced facial recognition that can wirelessly connect and unlock third-party smart locks

Lee-Anne Mulholland / The Keyword:
Google files its proposed remedies in the DOJ's search antitrust lawsuit, including letting browser companies have multiple default agreements across platforms

Wall Street Journal:
Gina Raimondo says holding back China in the chips race is a “fool's errand”, and investment, more than export controls, will keep US ahead of Beijing

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