#news-media-funding
#news-media-funding

fromFortune

2 hours ago

Billionaire Connie Ballmer just donated $80 million to support NPR after Trump cut $1.1 billion from public broadcasting | Fortune

Connie Ballmer donated $80 million to support NPR, emphasizing the need for fact-based and local journalism amid funding challenges.

Media industry

Ballmer gives $80 million to NPR, with strings attached.

fromwww.npr.org

NPR receives $113 million in charitable gifts

NPR received $113 million in donations to enhance digital technology and ensure the viability of public radio after federal funding cuts.

fromFortune

2 hours ago

Billionaire Connie Ballmer just donated $80 million to support NPR after Trump cut $1.1 billion from public broadcasting | Fortune

Connie Ballmer donated $80 million to support NPR, emphasizing the need for fact-based and local journalism amid funding challenges.

Media industry

Ballmer gives $80 million to NPR, with strings attached.

fromwww.npr.org

NPR receives $113 million in charitable gifts

NPR received $113 million in donations to enhance digital technology and ensure the viability of public radio after federal funding cuts.

As statehouse coverage shrinks, student journalists are stepping in to fill the void - Poynter

Student journalists at Franklin College cover the Indiana General Assembly, gaining real-world experience and filling gaps in legislative coverage.

US politics

The Future of the Fourth Estate

Higher education

8 hours ago

As statehouse coverage shrinks, student journalists are stepping in to fill the void - Poynter

Student journalists at Franklin College cover the Indiana General Assembly, gaining real-world experience and filling gaps in legislative coverage.

fromThe Hollywood Reporter

US politics

The Future of the Fourth Estate

more#student-journalism

Television

6 hours ago

Microdramas Platform Verza TV Shifts Strategy Just 4 Months After Launch (Exclusive)

Verza TV is evolving to include horizontal videos and user-generated content while maintaining a focus on mobile entertainment.

Betting on the news raises ethical questions for journalists

Newsrooms are partnering with prediction market platforms while prohibiting staff from using them, creating a conflict in journalism ethics.

Prediction markets are breaking the news and becoming their own beat

Prediction markets are evolving, becoming integral to news, with partnerships forming between market platforms and major news organizations.

Betting on the news raises ethical questions for journalists

Newsrooms are partnering with prediction market platforms while prohibiting staff from using them, creating a conflict in journalism ethics.

Prediction markets are breaking the news and becoming their own beat

Prediction markets are evolving, becoming integral to news, with partnerships forming between market platforms and major news organizations.

more#prediction-markets

San Francisco

fromsfist.com

Day Around the Bay: NPR Receives $113 Million From Two Donors, the Largest of Its Kind

A sulfur dioxide leak in a San Francisco building led to evacuation and hospitalizations.

fromThedrum

Digital publisher audit program launched with ANA support

AAM launched a free digital publisher audit program to combat advertising fraud and enhance transparency in digital media.

SF music

fromABC7 Los Angeles

Non-profit internet radio station turns up the volume on community

BFF.FM is a community-driven internet radio station that emphasizes human connection and supports independent music and local artists.

#journalism

US Elections

To My Fellow Journalists: We Need to Do Better

from48 hills

Media industry

Screen Grabs: In the trenches of democracy with Amy Goodman - 48 hills

fromwww.dw.com

Stop blaming Big Tech. Start rebuilding journalism

Fighting Big Tech for compensation is not the main battle for journalism's survival; rebuilding trust and embracing technology is essential.

US Elections

To My Fellow Journalists: We Need to Do Better

Journalism must urgently address the legitimacy of elections and false claims to protect American democracy.

from48 hills

Screen Grabs: In the trenches of democracy with Amy Goodman - 48 hills

The future of credible news reporting is threatened by various factors, including corporate media mergers, AI, and hostility towards the press.

fromwww.dw.com

fromNonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.

Stop blaming Big Tech. Start rebuilding journalism

Fighting Big Tech for compensation is not the main battle for journalism's survival; rebuilding trust and embracing technology is essential.

more#journalism

Social justice

fromInside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs

The Politics of Loving Kindness: Insights from a Birth Equity Initiative | Nonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.

American politics increasingly tolerates brutal policies, widening inequality, while a vision of loving kindness could foster solidarity and community welfare.

fromLexington Herald Leader

Progressive Media Org Launches Turning Point USA Competitor

Faiz Shakir, executive director of More Perfect Union, stated, 'We're hoping that an economic populist movement for the next generation will start through More Perfect Union on campuses.' This reflects the organization's goal to mobilize students around economic issues.

Right-wing politics

US politics

Are paid influencers boosting KY political campaigns? They don't have to say

Social media influencers promoting political candidates are not legally required to disclose paid endorsements, creating a significant loophole in political advertising regulations.

Startup companies

fromFast Company

Shuttered startups are selling old Slack chats and emails to AI companies

Defunct startups are monetizing their digital data by selling it to AI companies, raising significant privacy concerns.

#creator-economy

fromHubspot

Growth hacking

8 Ways to Elevate Your Brand as a Creator or Entrepreneur (& Close the Pay Gap)

The global creator economy is projected to reach $1.18 trillion by 2032, significantly impacting minority creators and entrepreneurs.

After newsroom cuts, The Washington Post turns to creator-led video deals

The Washington Post's creator network allows creators to retain IP ownership, reducing costs and attracting new audiences through independent video series.

Growth hacking

fromHubspot

8 Ways to Elevate Your Brand as a Creator or Entrepreneur (& Close the Pay Gap)

The global creator economy is projected to reach $1.18 trillion by 2032, significantly impacting minority creators and entrepreneurs.

After newsroom cuts, The Washington Post turns to creator-led video deals

The Washington Post's creator network allows creators to retain IP ownership, reducing costs and attracting new audiences through independent video series.

more#creator-economy

Social media marketing

fromBlack Enterprise

New Responsible Influence Certification Program Aims To Build Transparency In The Creator Economy

A new certification program for content creators promotes trust and transparency in influencer marketing.

Business

from24/7 Wall St.

Snap Was Always A Terrible Company

Snap laid off 1,000 employees and cut job openings to reduce costs by $500 million, but struggles with revenue growth and market position.

fromNonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.

1 day ago

The future of local TV news has taken a Trumpian turn

Nexstar's acquisition of Tegna hinges on FCC rule changes initiated by Chairman Brendan Carr's deregulatory agenda.

Fundraising

What If I Freeze with a Major Donor Ask? | Nonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.

Silence after making a major gift ask is often the hardest part for fundraisers, leading to self-negotiation and smaller donations.

fromAdExchanger

As RFPs Shrink, Multicultural Publishers Fight For Dollars With First-Party Data | AdExchanger

Multicultural publishers face pressure to grow audiences and adapt to shrinking referral traffic and diversity budgets.

Social media marketing

fromTechRepublic

X Cuts Clickbait Payouts and Exposes a Creator Program Problem - TechRepublic

X is reducing payouts for clickbait content, penalizing creators while maintaining the problematic structure that incentivizes such behavior.

fromNonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.

Why Americans Give: New Research Finds 5 Distinct Profiles for Generosity | Nonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.

Generosity in the U.S. is diverse and varies by individual motivations and demographics, contrary to the belief that it has eroded.

A Prominent PR Firm Is Running a Fake News Site That's Plagiarizing Original Journalism at Incredible Scale

National Today is accused of blatant plagiarism by rewording and stealing content from various publications without crediting the original sources.

News organizations reconsider ties to AI company Nota after plagiarism findings - Poynter

Nota faced backlash and lost clients after extensive plagiarism was discovered in its AI-generated news articles.

fromFuturism

A Prominent PR Firm Is Running a Fake News Site That's Plagiarizing Original Journalism at Incredible Scale

National Today is accused of blatant plagiarism by rewording and stealing content from various publications without crediting the original sources.

fromNonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.

News organizations reconsider ties to AI company Nota after plagiarism findings - Poynter

Nota faced backlash and lost clients after extensive plagiarism was discovered in its AI-generated news articles.

more#plagiarism

Fundraising

Bridging Funders to the Front Lines: Pluralism and Greater Philanthropic Opportunity | Nonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.

Movement-rooted philanthropic intermediaries are essential for addressing future challenges in the nonprofit sector and advancing equity.

fromThedrum

impact.com acquires Pressboard, providing publishers with a best-in-class platform for branded content as digital advertising is deprioritised

Acquisition enhances publishers' tools to adapt to changing consumer attitudes towards advertising, improving partnerships and revenue generation.

fromThedrum

impact.com acquires Pressboard, providing publishers with a best-in-class platform for branded content as digital advertising is deprioritised

Acquisition enhances publishers' tools to adapt to changing consumer attitudes towards advertising, improving partnerships and revenue generation.

#fact-checking

Fact-checkers reached more people in 2025. That didn't help their finances - Poynter

Fact-checking organizations face financial challenges and staff cuts, yet audience growth continues amidst uncertainty in funding and coverage.

State of the Fact-Checkers: Audiences grow as finances worsen - Poynter

Fact-checking organizations expanded their audiences in 2025 despite financial vulnerabilities, with significant shifts in funding sources and staffing.

Fact-checkers reached more people in 2025. That didn't help their finances - Poynter

Fact-checking organizations face financial challenges and staff cuts, yet audience growth continues amidst uncertainty in funding and coverage.

State of the Fact-Checkers: Audiences grow as finances worsen - Poynter

Fact-checking organizations expanded their audiences in 2025 despite financial vulnerabilities, with significant shifts in funding sources and staffing.

Media industry

The stigma around AI in journalism may be easing, but trust is still fragile

How Poynter reported the AI plagiarism story that rattled journalism - Poynter

An AI company, Nota, faced backlash for plagiarizing local journalists' work, raising concerns about AI's role in journalism.

fromFast Company

The stigma around AI in journalism may be easing, but trust is still fragile

There is a growing acceptance of AI in journalism, despite initial reluctance and a recent controversy over AI-generated content.

How Poynter reported the AI plagiarism story that rattled journalism - Poynter

An AI company, Nota, faced backlash for plagiarizing local journalists' work, raising concerns about AI's role in journalism.

more#ai-in-journalism

Independent journalists are mission-driven, but financially strained, a new report says

Financial sustainability remains elusive for creator journalists, with many struggling to fund their lifestyles through content creation alone.

Social media marketing

fromTechCrunch

Flipboard's new 'social websites' help publishers and creators tap into the open social web | TechCrunch

Flipboard launched social websites, enabling creators to consolidate content and build communities around their work on decentralized platforms.

What we learned from a failed Nota News experiment - Poynter

Nota's experiment with hyperlocal news sites faced issues of plagiarism due to human error, not AI misuse, violating editorial standards.

fromNonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.

AI in the Nonprofit Sector Is a Question of Governance, Not Just Technology | Nonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.

Nonprofits face a critical choice in shaping AI governance or risk external control over its implementation and impact.

fromFast Company

Blatantly fake news about college sports spreads like wildfire in the absence of player payday details

The transfer portal has sparked chaos in college basketball, leading to misinformation and confusion about player transfers and NIL deals.

fromObserver

Facing A.I. Slop and Shifting Algorithms, Brands Bet on Streamers to Stay Real

MrBeast exemplifies success in the creator economy, leveraging YouTube and livestreams while expanding into various media ventures.

The nonprofit Salt Lake Tribune is ready to tear down its paywall

Salt Lake Tribune will eliminate its paywall in May, making all new stories free to read.

#subscription-model

fromInside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs

Inside Higher Ed's Model Is Changing. Our Journalism Is Not.

Inside Higher Ed transitions to a subscription model to ensure long-term sustainability and maintain high-quality journalism in higher education.

fromThe Phoblographer

Where I'd Like the Phoblographer to Go in Modern Journalism

Phoblographer aims to transition to a subscription model to eliminate banner ads and sustain its operations financially.

fromInside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs

Inside Higher Ed's Model Is Changing. Our Journalism Is Not.

Inside Higher Ed transitions to a subscription model to ensure long-term sustainability and maintain high-quality journalism in higher education.

fromThe Phoblographer

Where I'd Like the Phoblographer to Go in Modern Journalism

Phoblographer aims to transition to a subscription model to eliminate banner ads and sustain its operations financially.

more#subscription-model

fromIrish Independent

Patrick O'Donovan admits he made 'hames' of call for review into coverage of fuel protests

200 complaints received by media regulator regarding fuel protests coverage.

SaySo is a new short-form video app that aims to restore users' trust in news | TechCrunch

SaySo is a new app that curates news from vetted creators to combat misinformation and enhance user trust.

Media industry

Social traffic kinda stinks for news publishers now, in 3 charts

Social media traffic to news publishers has significantly declined, with Twitter traffic down 70% since 2022.

fromTechCrunch

SaySo is a new short-form video app that aims to restore users' trust in news | TechCrunch

SaySo is a new app that curates news from vetted creators to combat misinformation and enhance user trust.

Social traffic kinda stinks for news publishers now, in 3 charts

Social media traffic to news publishers has significantly declined, with Twitter traffic down 70% since 2022.

Hot Take: YouTube Shouldn't Rely On Creators To Convince Brands It's TV | AdExchanger

YouTube aims to position itself as a television alternative to attract larger advertising budgets.

Media Briefing: The 'SaaS-pocalypse' is spreading to publishers

AI tools are enabling publishers to create custom software, shifting the conversation from buying to building software solutions.

fromTechCrunch

Exclusive: Can AI judge journalism? A Thiel-backed startup says yes, even if it risks chilling whistleblowers

Aron D'Souza's startup Objection uses AI to challenge journalism claims, aiming to restore trust in media.

#independent-journalism

'I'm playing the long game': Journalists are striking out alone and discovering the business is toughest beat of all

Independent journalism has potential but struggles with business fluency, as many journalists lack developed strategies for monetization.

fromMission Local

Media industry

Q&A: 'Democracy Now!' host Amy Goodman urges S.F. residents to 'Steal This Story, Please!'

fromEmptywheel

US politics

Fund Unchained Journalism of Emptywheel: It's All Because Of You

'I'm playing the long game': Journalists are striking out alone and discovering the business is toughest beat of all

Independent journalism has potential but struggles with business fluency, as many journalists lack developed strategies for monetization.

fromMission Local

Q&A: 'Democracy Now!' host Amy Goodman urges S.F. residents to 'Steal This Story, Please!'

Amy Goodman advocates for amplifying marginalized voices through independent journalism to combat corporate media's silencing of important stories.

fromEmptywheel

more#independent-journalism

US politics

Fund Unchained Journalism of Emptywheel: It's All Because Of You

The Baltimore Banner's parent nonprofit acquires the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette will not shut down as it is acquired by the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism.

Journalists champion Wayback Machine after news publishers limit article archiving

Major news publishers are limiting access to the Wayback Machine due to concerns over AI scraping, prompting pushback from journalists and digital rights organizations.

fromBusiness Insider

A GoFundMe for laid-off Washington Post staffers crossed $130K in a few hours and drew a big donation from Kara Swisher

The Washington Post is taking a number of difficult but decisive actions today for our future, in what amounts to a significant restructuring across the company,

US news

#substack

fromFar Out Magazine

Writing

Is Substack being taken over by marketing?

fromwww.theguardian.com

Right-wing politics

Revealed: How Substack makes money from hosting Nazi newsletters

fromTech Times

Substack Writers Transform Newsletter Platforms with Paid Subs and the Power of the Creator Economy

Substack empowers independent writers to manage their own audiences and monetize content through a simple, community-driven newsletter platform.

fromFar Out Magazine

Writing

Is Substack being taken over by marketing?

fromwww.theguardian.com

Right-wing politics

Revealed: How Substack makes money from hosting Nazi newsletters

fromTech Times

Substack Writers Transform Newsletter Platforms with Paid Subs and the Power of the Creator Economy

Substack empowers independent writers to manage their own audiences and monetize content through a simple, community-driven newsletter platform.

US politics

Even amid setbacks, public funding for local news is expanding at the state level - Poynter

Saving local news also means saving the archives - Poynter

Loss of local news archives leads to a significant loss of memory, culture, identity, and reality.

fromGothamist

NJ newsrooms are dying and shrinking, but is government funding the answer?

Local news coverage in New Jersey is declining, threatening community connection and information access.

US politics

Even amid setbacks, public funding for local news is expanding at the state level - Poynter

Saving local news also means saving the archives - Poynter

Loss of local news archives leads to a significant loss of memory, culture, identity, and reality.

fromGothamist

NJ newsrooms are dying and shrinking, but is government funding the answer?

Local news coverage in New Jersey is declining, threatening community connection and information access.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette saved from closure - Poynter

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette will be acquired by a nonprofit, avoiding closure and ensuring continued publication.

fromWIRED

The Indie News Queen Who's Not Done Pissing Off the Powerful

Amy Goodman, a prominent journalist, is the focus of the documentary 'Steal This Story, Please!', showcasing her relentless pursuit of truth.

Nonprofit newsrooms have grown, but they still generate a fraction of what newspapers once did - Poynter

Digital-first nonprofit newsrooms require sustained philanthropic support to achieve financial sustainability and rebuild local news infrastructure lost over the past two decades.

Fundraising

Craig Newmark explains why he's pulling back on funding journalism

Craig Newmark is reducing journalism funding after concluding many grants were less effective than hoped and will refocus on cybersecurity and military-family support.

MS NOW is investing in local news and original reporting as it builds a post-NBC identity - Poynter

MS NOW is expanding into local news through partnerships with nonprofit journalism organizations to enhance original reporting and localized coverage.

fromNonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.

Student newspapers still dominate campuses. This newsletter shows what else is possible. - Poynter

Tomo Chien's newsletter, Morning, Trojan, offers a unique independent news source for USC students, blending hard news with humor and engaging a large subscriber base.

This Is Not a Retreat | Nonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.

The change in the administration's tactics in Minneapolis is not a retreat. Instead, they are regrouping and planning another mode of attack, with the hopes that their repression might be met with resistance that is easier to control and contain. People who garner their relevancy and power through the dehumanization and oppression of others will do whatever it takes to cling to their soulless sense of self.

US politics

Three newsletters for the price of 1.5: Independent journalists experiment with a bundle

Bundling independent journalism subscriptions can reduce costs for readers and support multiple writers effectively.

Nonprofit news outlets had a strong traffic month in January

Colorado Sun's traffic surged 53% in January due to engaging local stories and events.

fromAdExchanger

Local Publishers Hit By AI Traffic Drops Collaborate For Revenue Relief | AdExchanger

AI-generated answers are diminishing traffic for smaller publishers, prompting collaboration to enhance reach and revenue.

A new report looks at 559 funding proposals to determine local journalism's biggest problems

Local journalism funding suffers from too many competing nonprofit solutions, inefficient intermediaries, and philanthropic institutions failing to select viable winners or allow unsuccessful projects to fail.

fromNew York Post

Embattled BuzzFeed warns end could be near as it faces major cash crunch

BuzzFeed flagged going concern doubts and suspended 2026 forecasts while evaluating strategic options, with stock declining 7% as the company faces severe cash constraints and advertising revenue challenges.

fromHamiltonnolan

Patrons of Journalism

Advertising has historically funded journalism, creating tension between editorial independence and business interests, though this model now faces disruption from tech platforms monopolizing ad revenue.

It's time for local news funders to pick winners, scale up, and force mergers, a new report argues

Press Forward made almost $23 million in grants to 22 organizations aimed at bolstering the infrastructure for local news. The grants were the culmination of a request for proposals process that began accepting applications in November 2024, and elicited 559 proposals.

Media industry