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News, information and much more for independent online news publishers. 
Knight Foundation match raises $2.4 million for nonprofit news organizations

"In another sign the public will support quality journalism, nonprofit news organizations raised more than $1.2 million in just a few weeks with Knight Foundation’s News Match program," the Knight reports. "Now, Knight will double the donations made to the 57 participating nonprofit news outlets. That will put at least $2.4 million more into strengthening local coverage, beat reporting and investigative reporting around the country in 2017."

The program was launched in December as an effort to stoke a flood of donations some national nonprofit news sites were seeing in the wake of the November presidential election.

Knight's program included many local independent online news sites, including several run by members of LION.


Press freedom and the Trump administration

Where to begin in talking about the Trump administration's war against journalists, and attempt to legitimize "fake news" sources?

Several journalists are facing FELONY charges after their arrests covering protests of Trump's inauguration. Their arrests raise fears for press freedom. Transition to Trump: Reporters must be allowed to protect their sources. Panama Papers journalists call on US press to collaborate on investigations into Trump. Student journalists especially vulnerable to Trump’s press-as-enemy rhetoric. Why Donald Trump doesn’t have a libel case against BuzzFeed. We cannot tolerate legal and personal attacks on journalists for doing their jobs. Don’t expect the First Amendment to protect the media.

Information lockdown hits Trump’s federal agencies. How far will the media blackout spread? The Sunlight Foundation is trying to find out. A hellscape of lies and distorted reality awaits journalists covering President Trump. The media should call Trump’s lies what they are. The traditional way of reporting on a president is dead. And Trump’s press secretary killed it. President Trump’s lies don’t call for extraordinary media measures. Just do your jobs.

How the press can save itself in the age of Trump. Trump may be the news industry’s greatest opportunity to build a sustainable model. Does nonpartisan journalism have a future? Rebuilding the news media will require doubling-down on its core values.

Related: Trump admin is creating ‘Skype seats’ program to allow journos outside DC more access. Ad buyers are staying away from Trump news.


Fighting the rise of fake news in the age of Trump

Fake news’ power to influence shrinks with a contextual warning, study finds. The real story about fake news is partisanship.

When is a false claim a lie? Here’s what fact-checkers think. What will happen to fact-checking in 2017? Here are seven guesses. The fact-checking tools David Fahrenthold used on Trump’s charity claims. Fact-checking won’t save us from fake news.

Google has banned 200 publishers since it passed a new policy against fake news. amd Facebook moves to curtail fake news on ‘Trending’ feature. In Colorado, a reporter’s error becomes evidence for ‘fake news’ claim. Three thousand fake tanks: How a network of conspiracy sites spread a fake story about US reinforcements in Europe. First Draft launches Chrome extension to assist journalists in verifying images.

It’s time to retire the tainted term ‘fake news.’ Focus more on fighting bad journalism, less on fake news. Fake news – an optimistic take. How fake news opens audience doors to solid journalism.

Related: Our banner ads are on Breitbart?!


News About Local Independent Online News Sites

DETROIT: Chalkbeat launches in Detroit. And how a small Detroit news site busted a foul-mouthed cop.

NEVADA: Frustrated Nevada journalist starts his own news website.

NEW JERSEY: The New York Times says that in New Jersey, only a few media watchdogs are left. But the Center for Cooperative Media points out that New Jersey’s track record of local journalism innovation runs deep. New Jersey’s New Brunswick Today punches its way to a new model for local news.

NONPROFIT NEWS: An investment in trust: Public support grows for nonprofit newsrooms. The Lens' Steve Beatty on support of a vibrant and fearless free press.

PRO PUBLICA: Doing journalism differently: What’s next for ProPublica’s engagement reporting team. ProPublica is also leading a nationwide effort to document hate crimes, with local and national partners.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Will a South Carolina political blogger go to jail to protect his sources?

SPECTRUM AUCTION: “Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”: Local news could see a windfall from the FCC’s spectrum auction.

TEXAS: After five years, San Antonio’s Rivard Report finds that being a nonprofit is better than being a “no-profit.”


Tools and Tips: Advertising and Revenue

ADVERTISING: "The model can really work well’: The case for ad-driven media. Where has all the ad spend gone?

CROWDFUNDING: Creators have made $100 million on Patreon.

DISTRIBUTED CONTENT: Publishers made 14 percent of revenue from distributed content. Deals with Facebook and Snapchat are popular, but they’re not big money-makers.

FACEBOOK: Facebook measurement: The walled garden is cracking a window.

FOUNDATION FUNDING: How to get foundation funding in the age of fake news.

INSTAGRAM: Publishers aren’t seeing revenue from Instagram’s new ads.

MOBILE: Google will change AMP display to make it easier to find & share publishers’ direct URLs. The need for speed in mobile publishing.

NEWSLETTERS: Getting started: What’s the goal of your email newsletter? Publishers love newsletters, but grapple with the underlying tech.

PAYWALLS: Sun revamps digital strategy, more than doubles online traffic.

PROGRAMMATIC: The internet needs an ad tech renaissance, one based on creating real value for publishers and marketers. Are those creepy web ads that learn your preferences and follow you around online also discriminatory? How to destroy the business model of Breitbart and fake news. Study: Mainstream sites have almost double the ad tech as fake news sites. The Telegraph is quadrupling the size of its programmatic ad team.

SEARCH: How publishers can put site search data to good use.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: The Timmerman Report is putting customer service at the center of its one-man news business.

VIDEO: Facebook is going to start showing ads in the middle of its videos and sharing the money with publishers. 'A shrewd move': Publishers see Facebook mid-roll ads as potential boon. Publishers see short-form video views on Facebook cut in half. Is the Facebook Live honeymoon over? Another survey finds users aren’t that engaged with online video. Video isn’t as popular with viewers as it is with advertisers.


Tools and Tips: Journalism and Technology

ARCHIVES: How publishers squeeze new traffic out of their old content.

CLIMATE CHANGE: Environmental journalists have a new beat: Coping with climate disaster.

CMS: The CMS is your first editor.

ENGAGEMENT: Even with few resources, reporters can create effective, audience-centered journalism. Five things an individual journalist can do daily to tap into the knowledge of readers. Reader support is more important than ever. Here are 22 ways to connect with your community. Why journalists should worry about ‘satellite reporting,’ parachute reporting’s pernicious cousin. Journalists don’t have to be sidelined from community involvement. Could changing the way bylines look help increase trust with readers? How to boost engagement with user and A/B testing. How a small public radio station uses a bread truck to spark community engagement. Do we need more news addicts? With its subscribers Facebook group, The Boston Globe is mining the stickiest corners of the platform. What Vox has learned from its Facebook community for Obamacare enrollees.

FACEBOOK: 'It helps build that daily habit': Publishers use Instant Articles bundle for daily must-reads. Here’s why the Washington Post is growing On Facebook.

INSTAGRAM: Infographics and video diaries: How news broadcasters are using Instagram Stories. Instagram is positioned to become a video powerhouse in 2017.

INTERACTIVES: Fitting in the news: Tips on creating personalized interactives.

LEGAL TIPS: ‘Digital dangers’ and online obstacles: Legal tips for journalists. When it comes to legal issues, journalism schools leave students unprepared, a new study argues.

MOBILE: The New York Times wants to offer you a guided tour of the Met (and eventually a lot more too).

PARTNERSHIPS: Local breaking news comes to investigations-focused Colorado public TV, via The Weather Channel.

PODCASTING: Some tips for better podcast sound. Why Facebook Live Audio is just the beginning of its bid for audio domination.

SPECTRUM AUCTION: “Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”: Local news could see a windfall from the FCC’s spectrum auction. FCC’s TV airwaves auction generates about $18 billion in bids.

STORY COMMENTS: Online comments - Why did we think that anonymity was the problem? The real name fallacy in discussions about online story comments. Online anonymity: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Commenters say they want journalists and experts to join them in the comments. How news sites’ online comments helped build our hateful electorate. Study: Half of American Internet users have been harassed or abused online.

TRAUMA: As journalism becomes even more dangerous, newsrooms must address psychological trauma.

USER GENERATED CONTENT: Tips for cleaning up reader-submitted content.

VIDEO: Before you go Live: consult this checklist. Seven tips for publishers going live on Facebook. And how mobile video is changing the way we witness crime.


Industry News

APPLE: Swipe to unlock: Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone 10 years ago today, changing journalism forever.

ARTS: Curtains fall on arts critics at newspapers.

AXIOS: 'Short and sweet': How Axios will approach content, including native ads.

BOSTON GLOBE: The Boston Globe’s major overhaul is underway. No more ‘paper of record’: McGrory offers more details on the Globe’s reinvention.

DEADLINES: 'You might as well get going': Late newsroom start times have gone the way of drink carts and private offices.

ENDORSEMENTS: Newspaper endorsements are imperiled for the same reasons they’re now urgently needed.

FACEBOOK: I can’t just stand by and watch Mark Zuckerberg destroy the internet. What Facebook’s new hire tells us about its plans for news. Facebook finally admits it's a media company - almost.

GANNETT: Layoffs hit North Jersey Media Group, again.

HEARST: Hearst buys Michigan newspapers.

MEDIUM: Medium laying off third of staff and pursuing a new business model. Medium, and the reason you can’t stand the news anymore. Why Medium failed to disrupt the media.

NEW YORK OBSERVER: Jared Kushner to transfer Observer interest to family trust.

NEW YORK TIMES: With the 2020 report, The New York Times charts a course for its future. This is The New York Times’ digital path forward.

PINTEREST: How Pinterest engagement has changed in two years.

POLITIFACT: Richmond Times-Dispatch lays off PolitiFact editor, ends fact-checking relationship.

SEATTLE: After buyouts and layoffs, nearly two dozen people will leave the Seattle Times newsroom.

TARBELL: Tarbell, launched by an ex-health insurance exec, will focus on corporate cash’s political influence.

TRONC: Tronc buys Spanfeller’s Daily Meal, in niche food strategy.

TWITTER: Twitter’s metrics error further dents reputation with ad buyers.

UK: Newquest boss reveals 'shift away from car-crash content' and 'gentler approach' to journalism. Regional publishers in UK shrug off slumping print sales by embracing social media, data and diverse business models.

VERIZON: Verizon plans 'aggressive path' on targeting.

WASHINGTON POST: The Washington Post is putting a big bet on video.


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 http://www.lionpublishers.com/members/dues/renew 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.)
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