In this exclusive E&P interview, media veterans—former Fox News executive Preston Padden and former FCC Chair Al Sikes—warn that the government is no longer just regulating the press; it’s controlling it. As the FCC selectively enforces regulations, shielding Fox from scrutiny while targeting other networks, the fight for press freedom has reached a breaking point. Padden cautions, “We risk losing everything the First Amendment was designed to protect.” more

When a city government uses the courts to silence a newspaper, it’s not just an attack on one publication but on press freedom itself. That’s exactly what happened in Clarksdale, Mississippi, where a judge ordered The Clarksdale Press Register to remove an editorial questioning the transparency of a proposed tax initiative. The ruling, widely condemned as an egregious violation of the First Amendment, has ignited national concern among journalists and legal experts. In this exclusive conversation, E&P Reports dives into the case with publisher Wyatt Emmerich and press freedom advocate Seth Stern to explore what this means for the future of local journalism — and why every newsroom should be paying attention. more

As more newspapers rethink their print schedules, The Post and Courier is making a bold move—scaling back to five-day print delivery while doubling down on digital engagement. In this exclusive interview, PJ Browning, president of the newspaper division at Evening Post Publishing, breaks down the strategy behind the shift, how they’re preparing loyal readers for the transition, and why she believes the future of local journalism is both digital and deeply rooted in community trust. Watch now to hear how The Post and Courier is navigating this pivotal moment in publishing. more

Journalists have long faced obstacles in their pursuit of truth, but in recent years, a troubling trend has emerged: government-imposed gag rules that restrict public employees from speaking freely with the press. These restrictions, often enforced through public information offices or direct bans on communication, limit transparency and public accountability. In a recent episode of E&P Reports, Mike Blinder sat down with veteran Journalist Kathryn Foxhall and First Amendment Attorney Frank LoMonte to discuss the issue, its legal implications, and what journalists can do to push back. more

In a rapidly evolving media landscape, Ryan Dohrn argues that local publishers must stop asking advertisers what they want and start guiding them toward what they need. In this insightful conversation, Dohrn shares why bringing back advertiser workshops is key to educating businesses, how to sell value instead of chasing price, and why community support—not just ad sales—will sustain local news. more

Dave Morgan, a digital media pioneer who helped shape the evolution of online advertising, offers a candid look at the challenges and opportunities facing local news in this episode of E&P Reports. From the rise of AI and social video to the limitations of subscription models, Morgan shares why traditional revenue strategies are faltering and what publishers should focus on instead. He also explores how local news organizations can rethink their business models, embrace new advertising approaches and stay relevant in a rapidly shifting media landscape. more

The local news industry is experiencing a surge in mergers and acquisitions, with valuations holding steady and strategic buyers reshaping the market. But who’s buying, who’s selling, and what does it mean for the future of community journalism? In this exclusive interview, respected media brokers Sara April of Dirks, Van Essen & April and John Thomas Cribb of Cribb & Associates break down the latest trends, reveal what’s driving deals, and offer insights for publishers looking to buy, sell, or strengthen their operations. more

Meta’s recent announcement to end its third-party fact-checking program by January 2025 has sent ripples through the media and fact-checking industries. To unpack the implications of this decision, Editor & Publisher Publisher Mike Blinder spoke with Katie Sanders, editor-in-chief of PolitiFact, a Pulitzer Prize-winning fact-checking organization under the Poynter Institute. more

The Baltimore Banner, a nonprofit news organization, closed out 2024 with remarkable achievements, positioning itself as a model for sustainable local journalism in 2025. With 55,000 paid subscribers, a rapidly growing newsroom and diversified revenue streams, The Banner proves that innovation and community focus can drive success. Editor & Publisher (E&P) spoke with CEO Bob Cohn and Chief Revenue Officer Sharon Nevins to explore their strategies and vision for the year ahead. more

By blending investigative rigor with a commitment to public service, USA TODAY has once again showcased the impact of journalism. Editor-in-Chief Caren Bohan joined E&P Reports to discuss a remarkable story that began as a feel-good reunion and evolved into a layered investigation highlighting systemic issues and ethical complexities. Bohan shared insights on how the USA TODAY newsroom navigated the twists and turns of this compelling case while adhering to its mission of accountability journalism. more

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. more

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. more

In a recent episode of E&P Reports, Mickey Osterreicher, general counsel for the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA), shared his insights on the potential impact of a second Trump administration on press freedom. With over five decades of experience in journalism and media law, Osterreicher offered a candid and comprehensive perspective more

In a landmark case with significant implications for journalism and democracy, Emmerich Newspapers Inc., Helena World Chronicle and Boone Newspapers have joined forces in a class-action lawsuit against Google, challenging what they describe as an unfair “tying” relationship. Filed in December 2023, Helena World Chronicle LLC v. Google LLC alleges that Google’s control over search and content indexing is undermining publishers’ abilities to attract traffic and monetize content independently. In this interview, Wyatt Emmerich, president of Emmerich Newspapers, shared insights into the lawsuit’s motivations, the road ahead, and what’s at stake for the news industry. more

The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, in partnership with OpenAI and Microsoft, has introduced a $10 million AI Collaborative and Fellowship program to support innovation, sustainability, and new business models across five major U.S. metro newsrooms. Lenfest CEO Jim Friedlich, in a discussion on E&P Reports, highlighted how the initiative leverages AI for diverse newsroom applications, from business model optimization to increasing public data accessibility. The program aims to restore the depth of local reporting through AI-assisted research, enabling newsrooms to cover more ground with limited resources. Beyond the initial fellows, the program aspires to scale its impact, offering frameworks and tools for industry-wide adoption that reinforce the sustainability of journalism in an AI-driven future. more

In an era defined by an information deluge, rapidly advancing technology, and the decentralization of media, how society perceives news and journalism has become increasingly complex. Addressing this crucial issue, the Center for News, Technology & Innovation (CNTI) has launched the “Defining News Initiative.” Amy S. Mitchell, CNTI’s founding Executive Director, recently joined E&P Reports to delve into the initiative’s insights and discuss the challenges facing journalism’s evolving definition. more

Since its founding in 2017, Report for America (RFA) has supported nearly 400 local newsrooms across the United States, helping them collectively raise $30 million from local communities. Now, the nonprofit journalism initiative has launched an ambitious new pilot project — the Accelerator Program — designed to further boost the sustainability of both for-profit and nonprofit local news organizations by diversifying their revenue streams and tapping into local philanthropic support. In this episode, Morgan Baum, Director of Local News Sustainability at RFA, explained how this pilot project could serve as a game-changer for local news outlets struggling to remain financially viable. more

As the digital age reshapes the media landscape, local news publishers face a crucial challenge: staying relevant and profitable. At the heart of this challenge is the ability to deeply understand and engage with their audiences. Sammy Papert, president of Wormhole and sales representative for Coda Ventures, and Phillip Beswick, CEO of The Media Audit (TMA), recently shed light on how their audience studies are helping local news organizations thrive in an increasingly competitive environment. Their research offers powerful insights into how consumers interact with local news platforms and why these insights are pivotal for media companies seeking to monetize their content. more

Martha Diaz Aszkenazy, the newly elected chair of the The National Newspaper Association (NNA), and Brett Wesner, the past chairman, discuss the association’s recent collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the “Risk Less. Do More” campaign. This initiative, aimed at promoting public health messages is not only a public health victory but also a significant financial win for rural newspapers. more

In a unique interview, E&P Publisher Mike Blinder sat down with Version 1.2024.240 of ChatGPT, enhanced by Siri Voice 4, to explore the intersection of AI and journalism. The conversation tackled the critical issues facing the news industry today — from copyright and licensing to search traffic, newsroom integration and the future of journalism. more