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News, information and much more for independent online news publishers. 
An AmeriCorps-style program proposed for journalism

At the annual "Engage Local" conference put on by the Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University in New Jersey earlier this week, LION advisory board member Steve Waldman unveiled a bold proposal for addressing gaps in local journalism.

He proposes an AmeriCorps-style effort that would fund journalists to work terms of a few years at various news organizations across the country.

You can read more about his proposal at Columbia Journalism Review's website.

Related: In an opinion piece for Poynter, LION's interim executive director says it's time to focus on the well-being and future of individual journalists, not just journalism organizations.


LION member spotlight: Westford CAT News

Can local access cable TV operations expand into digital and fill major gaps in local news coverage? That's just what's happening in Westford, Massachusetts, with Westford CAT News.

Featured in this week's LION member Q&A is Andrew Sylvia, who launched the Westford Template in 2014 and then teamed up with Westford's local access station to combine efforts.

"I know there are a few other public access stations with news initiatives, but I don't think any of them have that balance between video and non-video, seeing the news component as something secondary or equivalent to other non-news content rather than something unique and autonomous."

The full interview is on LION's website.

You can also find past LION member Q&As here.


Indie journalists honored for being champions of FOIA
 
Two local independent online journalists in Connecticut - Christine Stuart of CTNewsJunkie.com and Marcia Chambers of the Branford Eagle - were honored by the Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information this week for being champions of open records and open meetings laws.


Facebook tweaks its news feed algorithm again

Facebook's news feed algorithm has been tweaked again. The company explained that it will look favorably on the time users spend looking at something in their feed even if they don't click on a link, like it, comment it or share it. Ad Week explains here. Facebook's own announcement is here.

Columbia Journalism Review has a great piece on the importance of understanding the big distribution platforms' algorithms.

New research shows that smartphones and Facebook continue to grow as gateways to online news around the world.

Frederic Filloux talks about the "redistribution game for news," as publishers increasingly deal with intermediaries between them and readers.

And Matt Sheehan asks, "Did Apple just kill local news?" with development of its "News" app.


Facebook censors news photo, stoking alarm over dominance

Here's one scary example of how Facebook's dominance over news distribution could have an impact on public access to news and information.

Billy Penn reports on how it deleted a news photo taken by legendary photojournalist and educator Jim McMillan.

Fortune explores the broader topic of Facebook and news censorship.

And The Guardian takes a look at the control that news outlets are ceding to Apple, Facebook and Google.


Tools and Tips: Advertising and Revenue

REVENUE STRATEGIES: A report shows that local merchants are embracing digital, but need plenty of help. Helping small newsrooms with tutorials for growing revenues. http://www.pbs.org/idealab/2015/06/helping-small-newsrooms-with-tutorials-for-growing-revenues/

LIVE EVENTS: Nieman Reports looks at the effectiveness of news organizations that are staging live events.

HEALTH REPORTING: Grant funding is available for reporting projects on health care.

CROWDFUNDING: What the most successful crowdfunding campaigns for journalism have in common. Trends show that crowdfunding could surpass venture capital funding across various industries by 2016. Recently, LION members Dylan Smith of the Tucson Sentinel and Brian Wheeler of Charlottesville Tomorrow offered their advice based on recent successful crowdfunding projects.

SOCIAL MEDIA: It's time for local retailers to start paying close attention to social media.

AD BLOCKING: The new version of Safari will allow users to block advertising on iPhones and iPads. How big a deal will that be for publishers?

MOBILE APPS: One in four mobile apps are abandoned after a single use.

NATIVE ADS: Media companies are avoiding using the word "advertising" in labeling native advertising.

PAYWALLS: The newspaper industry and the forgotten 50 percent - part of a natural reader base who aren't being monetized in any way due to paywall strategies.

E-COMMERCE: Local retailers need an e-commerce strategy, so why don't local news sites give them one? Related: Digitizing local retail.


Tools and Tips: Journalism and Technology

INSTAGRAM: Billy Penn is featuring readers' Instagram posts

CROWDSOURCING: Inside the Guardian's crowdsourcing efforts.

RESEARCH: A major new report on digital news shows why research matters.

VERIFICATION: "First Draft," or how to become a verification junkie.

MOBILE FIRST: How publishers are trying to build mobile-first cultures.

MOBILE VIDEO: A look at key trends in mobile video.  And at how NowThis is completely focused on it.

DIVERSITY: Nieman Reports finds that a diverse masthead means better coverage and news audiences.

INTERACTIVES: How to create a simple interactive graph with Plotly.

SOCIAL HEADLINES: When a reader helps you write a social headline.

GEOJOURNALISM: Geojournalism opens new paths for journalists. 

ARCHIVES: Does the rise of ephemeral content spell the death of archives


Industry News

STARTUPS: The Washington Post concludes that starting up a digital news site is "tough going." It looks almost exclusively at venture-funded national sites, but does give a mention to LION member Jim Brady's local Billy Penn site in Philadelphia.

JAILED BLOGGER: Why the First Amendment didn't save a Mississippi blogger from going to prison.

AP AUTOMATES: A look at the Associated Press's increasing attempts to automate the production of news stories.

LINKEDIN: In a tweak of its strategy, LinkedIn wants you to follow people instead of connecting with them.

WSJ LAYOFFS: The Wall Street Journal has begun a new round of layoffs.

WEEKLIES CLOSE: The Washington Post is shutting down some community weeklies. CNN's Brian Stelter mourns the loss of his hometown newspaper. And a reporter talks about what those papers taught her about journalism.

BLOOMBERG: A reporter says its massive Washington D.C. bureau is a "bloated mess."

NOLA CUTS: More staff cuts are coming at NOLA.com and the Times-Picayune. Advance is merging oversight of the property with its news operation in Birmingham, Alabama.

FACEBOOK: News outlets are expected to ramp up their publication of "instant articles" directly on Facebook's platform. The New York Times plans to publish about 30 stories a day within the system. Early numbers show a much higher engagement rate than traditional articles shared as links from Facebook.

MOBILE: The New York Times is blocking access to its desktop site for employees for a week to encourage focus on mobile. 

HUFFPO: Is the doesn't-make-a-profit Huffington Post really worth $1 billion

NY DAILY NEWS: Real estate developer Steve Witkoff is in talks to buy the New York Daily News

GATEHOUSE: The parent company of the Gatehouse newspaper chain has completed its purchase of the Columbus Dispatch.


Is Your LION Publishers Membership Up for Renewal?
 
For many of our LION Publishers members, it's time to renew! Your membership includes participation in the LION Publishers Den on Facebook, networking and support from fellow LION publishers, our new newsletter, discounted rates on media liability and directors and officers insurance and more. 

Plus, being a member gives you access to a members-only rate to the LION Summit – a savings of up to $175 compared to the non-member rate. If your membership is due for renewal, please go to www.lionpublishers.com/members/dues to submit your payment. Those who opt for multi-year membership save, and easy, secure payment options are available via credit card or through Paypal. (Not sure when your membership expires? You can look it up easily on LIONPublishers.com.)

Thanks to our current members who have already renewed!
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