Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how media sales teams prospect, research, communicate and report results. Yet according to media revenue strategist Ryan Dohrn, the technology itself is not the competitive advantage. The real differentiator remains the same as it has always been: the salesperson using it. In a conversation with E&P, Dohrn argues that AI won’t replace strong salespeople or save weak ones. Instead, it will amplify existing strengths, expose existing weaknesses and reward those who learn how to combine technology with relevance, preparation and authentic human relationships. more

Over the past two decades, philanthropic efforts to preserve local journalism have largely focused on launching new nonprofit and digital news organizations, while often overlooking the local news organizations that continue to produce most original local reporting. Some funders are reluctant to support newspapers because many operate as for-profit businesses. However, if foundations, civic leaders and philanthropists truly care about preserving local news, they cannot focus exclusively on building new organizations while ignoring the institutions that are doing most of the work. more

Nick Bilton, the new executive producer of “60 Minutes,” attempted to calm the waters Thursday after a chaotic week for CBS’s signature television newsmagazine program, naming a new senior producer.   more

The Center for Integrity in News Reporting (CFINR) has named Terry Tang, executive editor of the Los Angeles Times, to its board of trustees. more

YouTube has walked back an executive’s comments claiming the platform is working on integrating with publisher paywalls. more

State prosecutors are accusing a police sergeant of stealing a photojournalist’s camera while the photographer was being treated at a hospital for injuries suffered at a protest near Delaney Hall, the Attorney General’s Office said Thursday. more

The investigative nonprofit newsroom’s local reporting initiative relies on freelance correspondents to fill local news gaps in downeast and western Maine. more

Always Lancaster, the nonprofit that owns LNP | LancasterOnline, has appointed Mike Orren as chief executive officer of LNP| LancasterOnline, bringing a seasoned digital media executive and Lancaster resident to lead the 231-year-old newsroom. more

The board highlighted that policies on account restrictions or bans in response to misbehavior are scattered across multiple pages and sometimes contradict one another. more

iHeartMedia shareholders have approved a significant expansion of the company's long-term incentive compensation program, authorizing an additional 13 million shares for employee equity awards and extending the plan for another decade. more

PBS announced that veteran PBS attorney Jill Patrone will be the new chief legal officer and corporate secretary of PBS, replacing Katherine Lauderdale, who will become chief legal officer emerita and senior adviser to the CEO.  more

Gilbert Cruz, a creative, forward-thinking editor, will take on the new role of Canon editor. more

Even for the most informed voters, elections, referendums and ballot propositions can be complex. To simplify the process for readers, the Press Herald created a comprehensive digital voter guide — available to all, for free. more

PBS programs will be available in Arkansas for another year after the state’s public television commission agreed Thursday to pay PBS dues and undo its effort to cut ties from the national network. more

Sinclair, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBGI) announced that its stockholders elected the nominated nine directors at the company’s Annual Stockholders’ Meeting held yesterday. more

The Indigenous Journalists Association (IJA) has spent more than four decades advocating for press freedom, mentorship and more accurate coverage of Indigenous communities. What began as an effort to protect tribal media has evolved into a global network supporting journalists, students and news organizations across North America. Today, as Indigenous journalists remain vastly underrepresented in the profession, IJA is working to ensure Native voices are not only heard but empowered to tell their own stories. For many members, the organization has become both a professional lifeline and a community dedicated to preserving Indigenous storytelling for future generations. more

During a recent appearance on “Real Time with Bill Maher,” Vice President JD Vance invoked the First Amendment to defend his criticism of the 2020 election. But does the U.S. Constitution support his argument? In the latest installment of “Democracy Desk,” Digital Media Laureate and E&P Columnist Stuart N. Brotman examines what the First Amendment actually protects; why the distinction between government censorship and private editorial judgment matters; and the media’s mandate to inform the public. more

The News/Media Alliance (NMA) has elected Debi Chirichella, president of Hearst Magazines, as its board of directors chair. Chirichella succeeds Tony Hunter, chairman and CEO of McClatchy. more

After a year and a half at the helm of The Kerrville Daily Times — including leading the newspaper’s coverage of one of the community’s most devastating tragedies — the need to provide that same steady leadership and support to his family is calling John Wells back to Alabama. more