Latest E&P Exclusive Reporting

Gordon Borrell discusses key insights from the fall 2024 advertiser study

In his seventh appearance on E&P Reports, Gordon Borrell, CEO of Borrell Associates, joined Mike Blinder to preview insights from his firm's latest advertiser survey and its implications for the media industry. Borrell Associates, widely regarded as a leading authority on local advertising trends, has released its fall 2024 survey, gathering data from over 1,100 advertisers and 122 agencies. The findings shed light on evolving advertiser preferences, challenges in media sales and strategies for 2025.

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When hurricane winds swirl and misinformation spreads, strong local newspapers made a life-or-death difference

When it became clear that Hurricane Helene was heading our way, the staff of the Courier Herald in Dublin, Georgia, dived into planning for an unprecedented event. No storm this powerful had rolled through this region in my memory. Our top priority was preparing our readers for what was coming and helping them navigate safely through it.

From The Hilltop to history: Howard University’s commitment to journalism and democracy

Howard University’s Cathy Hughes School of Communications Department of Media, Journalism and Film has a long name, but so is its list of programs, centers, opportunities and accomplishments. Ingrid Sturgis, the department chair, says: “We pride ourselves on having a full, robust journalism program. We’re doubling down on investigative journalism now, but we’ve had investigative journalism courses going back almost 10 years.”

Why local publishers must seize the streaming audio revolution now

Remember when we said FAST channels would disrupt local TV? The same revolution is happening in audio, and publishers can’t afford to ignore it. With 83% of adults tuning into AM/FM radio (Nielsen) but over half of spoken-word listening now on digital devices (NPR), local media can leverage this shift to disrupt audio markets using their brand strength, audience trust, and advertiser relationships—no FCC license required.
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Not long after buying and publicly consuming a $6.2m banana as part of an artworld stunt, Chinese crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun made another eye-catching purchase, investing $30m ($23.5m) into a …

The Chronicle of Philanthropy is now accepting applications for its Philanthropy & Nonprofit Accountability Fellowship. Each news organization selected receives $30,000 to spend on its coverage of local philanthropy and nonprofits.
The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists has unveiled a new Application Programming Interface (API) to enhance its Offshore Leaks Database, a critical tool in the donor-supported news organization’s groundbreaking investigations. 
A federal appeals court panel on Friday upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok in a few short months, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S.
The owners of the Helena World and Monroe County Argus are once again stepping up to save community journalism in a rural Arkansas county, announcing the purchase of the Waldron News and the Mansfield Citizen in Scott County, which ceased publication earlier this year.
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Woolsey and Robinson on why local spending starts with a $2 bill

In Galveston County Texas, a simple yet powerful idea transforms how residents support their local economy: the $2 Shopping Challenge. Spearheaded by The Galveston County Daily News under Publisher Leonard Woolsey and Chief Revenue Director Michelle Robinson, the initiative encourages residents to collect $2 bills from local banks and spend them at participating businesses, creating a visible ripple effect of community support. What began as a quirky concept has quickly evolved into a movement, showcasing the impact of local spending while fostering stronger ties between businesses, residents, and the newspaper itself.

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This summer, an elite group of student journalists fanned out across the country to investigate the state of American democracy as part of the prestigious Carnegie-Knight News21 fellowship. Through immersive, on-the-ground reporting, these rising stars uncovered critical issues, from voting rights in Alabama to threats against election officials nationwide. Armed with deep research and mentorship from experts, they crafted stories, documentaries, and interactive projects to illuminate challenges and showcase those working across political divides—all while redefining what it means to report on a fractured democracy.
A new website with a quirky name is tapping into the inertia of sidebar sports content. Launched Sept. 8, Offball.news curates crossover sports and pop culture content. The site acts as a destination for content where fashion and celebrity status share the court with sports.
The resilience of democracy lies in its ability to balance change with unwavering principles. As the U.S. enters a new chapter under a second Trump administration, the foundational freedoms of free speech, free press, and dissent face renewed challenges. While these freedoms have weathered past attempts at suppression, the stakes remain high as the press braces for potential restrictions and shifting public attitudes toward journalism. The question now is whether the enduring power of the First Amendment will once again protect democracy from being stretched to its breaking point.
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Carpenter Media Group has acquired M. Roberts Media, a cornerstone of the Texas media landscape since 1942. M. Roberts Media is the parent company of seven award-winning newspapers and a variety of magazines and publications that serve Victoria and East Texas.
President-elect Donald Trump agreed to sit down with NBC News’ Kristen Welker in an exclusive interview airing on “Meet the Press”on Sunday, Dec. 8. The interview will take place on Friday and marks his first network interview since winning the election.
In a scathing piece on his Substack, Harry Litman, a former U.S. attorney and deputy assistant attorney general, announced he will no longer contribute to the Los Angeles Times op-ed page out of protest because of the paper’s owner, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong.
“I’d argue that disappointment with Soon-Shiong and Bezos should not be extrapolated as proof that ownership by a wealthy patron just doesn’t work. Sometimes it doesn’t, other times it does.” — Rick Edmonds, Poynter
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Latest E&P Partner Press Releases

BLOX Digital has announced the beta launch of BLOX NXT (pronounced "next"), a groundbreaking new content management system that is set to redefine how media organizations manage, monetize and distribute content.

Atex has announced its partnership with Sardegna Live, a prominent Sardinian news outlet and video production company. MyType brings cutting-edge digital content management (CMS) capabilities to Sardegna Live, enabling them to amplify their reach, enhance content creation and foster deeper connections with their audience.
Legacy.com and iPublish Media are now providing fully-managed obituary services across all Wick Communications publications. Each of Wick’s 20 local newspapers are utilizing iPublish’s self-serve intake, with all customer and funeral home support provided by a white-glove, Legacy-managed team.
Latest E&P Sponsored Case Studies

In a recent webinar hosted by Editor & Publisher (E&P) Magazine, Mike Blinder engaged with three experts from ATEX to explore how their cutting-edge auto-pagination technology is transforming print publishing. Featuring Chris Freeman, Account Executive; Cesare Navarotto, Chief Product Officer; and Stuart Bowley, Product Lead, the session illuminated the benefits of automation for news publishers and the ease of integrating ATEX solutions into existing workflows.

In the world of local journalism, the need for both cost-effectiveness and cutting-edge technology is becoming increasingly critical, especially for mid-sized newspapers. The New Jersey Hills Media Group (NMG) recently embraced a new technological partner: Newzware. This business software platform, developed by ICANON Associates, is designed to help publishers streamline operations, reduce costs, and focus on the core mission of local journalism. The transition proved to be a turning point in how NMG manages its operations, providing solutions for editorial, advertising, circulation, and finance.
The Defender Network has transformed its newsroom efficiency and audience engagement with Nota, an AI-powered tool tailored for modern journalism. Clyde Jiles, Strategic Alliance Manager at the Defender Network, shared how Nota helped cut content production time from 90 minutes to just 15, allowing their small team to focus on impactful storytelling. With features like tone customization and SEO optimization, Nota enabled the Defender to boost digital engagement and reach more readers without compromising journalistic quality. Jiles called the tool a game-changer, emphasizing its role in streamlining operations while amplifying their community’s voice.
Elite Insights and St. George News have revolutionized how media companies engage with their communities and generate revenue through innovative “Best Of” programs. These initiatives, powered by Elite Insights’ comprehensive software, enable publishers to create seamless, end-to-end campaigns that drive audience participation, build advertiser relationships, and unlock significant revenue streams. For St. George News, this approach has transformed their business, generating over $600,000 in annual revenue and fostering long-term advertiser loyalty, all while deepening connections with their local community.