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Closing the experience gap: Understanding Next-Gen news consumption

According to a research report co-produced by FT Strategies and Knight Lab at Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications, the disconnect in news consumption is growing as some publications focus on consumers they can monetize instead of building relationships with younger readers. Jeremy Gilbert, a Medill professor and Knight Chair in Digital Media Strategy, told E&P that the gap between what people want from news and what they’re getting is getting wider.

In the past, local newspapers dominated the local news ecosystem with large teams creating the most content. However, today, newsroom size is not necessarily associated with making more money. Being profitable and raising money is a challenge, but carving out distinctive beats may be a path to financial sustainability in an increasingly competitive market.

The news media industry is often focused on the people in the spotlight, but the contributions of those behind the scenes are truly immeasurable. In newsrooms across the country, editors carry heavy responsibilities. They lead the newsroom, determine what stories should be told and challenge assertions with unwavering commitment to the public’s interest. Their insight, experience and leadership are indispensable and elevate journalism to new heights. Despite not being as celebrated as bylined reporters or columnists, their invaluable contributions cannot be overlooked. We hope you enjoy meeting this exemplary group of E&P’s 2024 Editors Extraordinaire.
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As tensions over international conflicts boil, student journalists at prominent universities like Columbia, Arizona State, and Syracuse take to the front lines, documenting campus protests with fearless dedication. This E&P exclusive reporting captures the passion and complexity of today's youth activism amid a backdrop of geopolitical turmoil.
With the relaunch of The Tempe Tribune in early February of this year, Steve Strickbine, president of Times Media Group, continues his 25-year mission to rescue failing community newspapers, closed family newspapers and blooming news deserts. The Tempe Daily News ceased publication in 2009 after 122 consecutive years of serving the community. The Tempe Tribune delivers to over 20,000 readers every Sunday, and the digital edition emails to over 25,000 readers every Saturday evening.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is proving both a blessing and a bane for news publishers. On the one hand, generative AI technologies promise productivity gains for newsrooms when used responsibly and transparently. However, it also has the potential to create a minefield of misinformation for the public and for journalists to navigate.
When journalists are looking to improve their work, understand how to dig deeper into important topics, or discover new trends in journalism, there are many training options across the country. The National Press Club Journalism Institute provides many of the same types of professional training you’d see at other places. However, unlike many other institutions, the Journalism Institute dives into the person who does the work, not just the work itself.
What started as a plan to combat disinformation and fake news, The Legitimate Platform has become the app that works to support journalists. Legitimate started in January 2020 and is a one-stop shop for journalists to spread information quickly. Conceived by Caoimhe and Gerard Donnelly, it acts as a conduit, offering items such as three hours of transcription service with unlimited uploads and, using artificial intelligence, creating article outlines in its free version.
In a move signaling a “renewed commitment to the heart of its community,” Detroit Public TV announced its relocation back to the city of Detroit and a rebranding as Detroit PBS. This significant shift underscores the organization's dedication to serving Southeast Michigan with unparalleled quality, trust, and fairness in media.
The voices in the street are often as important as those in the suite. That's the upshot of California Voices, the opinion arm of CalMatters, a California non-profit organization raising its megaphone for different kinds of experts.
To bolster the tech services available to local news publishers, the Lenfest Institute for Journalism launched the Lenfest Local News Infrastructure Fund with a $7.25 million grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
To better understand the current level of collaboration between universities and public radio stations, CCN surveyed public radio stations in the summer of 2023, receiving 95 responses from stations in 38 states. There are 182 public radio station licenses associated with universities.
In today's evolving media landscape, the role of editorial pages in sparking meaningful discussions has come under scrutiny. However, as news outlets like The Dallas Morning News, The Charlotte Observer, and the Chicago Sun-Times demonstrate, investing in opinion pages yields significant returns, fostering robust conversations and offering diverse viewpoints on local and national issues.
Last summer, Vermont News & Media launched Green Mountain Vermont Cannabis News, a website and newsletter to inform the public about the state’s evolving cannabis laws and burgeoning economy. E&P spoke with President and Publisher Jordan Brechenser and Advertising and Marketing Specialist Ahmad Yassir about how the new brand is doing.
As the Press Forward initiative gathers momentum, I’m hearing a question from the heads of public broadcasting and nonprofit news organizations alike: “Do you know where I can find a grant writer?” My answer to them: “You don't need one.” Most of these folks think they need a gifted writer who can research lists of available grant programs, spin a compelling narrative about their organization’s worthiness......
On any given day, the American people can find coverage of the U.S. border with Mexico — in print, online and circulating on social media, TV and talk radio. Partisan media outlets and politicians alike often sensationalize the coverage. But to truly understand what’s unfolding there, as well as the challenges journalists face in reporting on the border, E&P went to the sources.
In the 1980s, many cash-flush news organizations employed a public editor specifically to build and foster trust between readers and journalists. These days, just two news organizations in the United States — NPR and PBS — still appear to employ a public editor. So, is it time for more news organizations to consider hiring ombudspersons to help rebuild trust in the media — one community at a time?
News media publishers face dilemmas over social media policy today. There's a delicate balance between encouraging reporters to engage on social media — to extend journalism's reach — and avoiding pitfalls that undermine reporting. They're also grappling with respecting journalists' freedom of speech in an age when social media is integral to their professional and personal lives.
In news media advertising, organizations often spend too much time analyzing rates and comparing them to similar-sized outlets. It’s important, but sometimes, focusing too much on rate hinders the ability to assess an opportunity directly. Before immediately delving into pricing considerations, it’s crucial first to identify opportunities aligned with your organization’s goals.
Under the leadership of Dean Raul Reis, who took office in July 2022, the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at the University of North Carolina has significantly revised its curriculum, infusing courses that can assist students in excelling once they graduate — whether in journalism or other communication fields like advertising or public relations.
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AI is now powering an upheaval of the search economy that could devastate news publishers desperately needing good news. For the first time since it became the world’s largest search engine in 2000, Google’s dominance in the search market is facing a serious threat. One of the challengers, Perplexity, shoots back short, AI-generated responses to direct questions. Is it perfect? No. Is it pretty useful? Of course. But it comes at a terrible cost to publishers.
As of January 2024, 1,177 pink slime sites have been identified across the United States, representing both sides of the political spectrum, with innocuous-sounding names, like The Main Street Sentinel and Metric Media. NewsGuard, which uses AI to help programmatic advertisers direct ads to reputable sites, warns that the number will rise as election season heats up.
Most sales gurus agree that about 98% of all sales are not made on the first call. Sometimes the customer says “no.” That’s when the selling starts. If you can turn a no into a yes, you make the sale. There are a lot of reasons prospective advertisers say no.
Attacks on free speech and expression — including the role of journalism and the people’s right to know in a free-thinking society — are constant, regardless of the swings of the political and cultural pendulums. Advocating for those rights and educating Americans to understand them better has been the mission of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression since its founding in 1999.
Implementing new revenue streams, from events to newsletters to podcasts to philanthropy — and even T-shirts — has been the goal of many news publishers for several years. Some don’t require much investment, while others require a major commitment in money and staff time. Some have worked, and others haven’t.
Launched in 2010, Honolulu Civil Beat began as a for-profit news business, charging $19.99/month per subscription, but the model proved unsustainable. In 2016, they reorganized as a nonprofit and honed their editorial mission, publishing on several platforms: a website, newsletters and podcasts.
If you visit the web page of The Intersection Magazine, you’ll notice something unique. The subject titles contain pairings: “PG Politics + Religion” and “Health + Politics.” This is intentional, said its founder, Delonte Harrod: “As a Black reporter trained in the  Black press, that is how Black people live their lives. I will say I think it’s universally how people live their lives.”
Two champions of investigative reporting, Mother Jones and the Center for Investigative Reporting/Reveal, announced their Feb. 1, 2024, merger. They are combining to counter the attacks on the press and reveal more of what many public and private institutions, monied interests and those hiding behind false patriotism would rather keep hidden from journalistic scrutiny and the public’s view.
The Department of Labor (DOL) has updated how employers are to consider if a worker is an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act, starting March 11. The rule provides guidance on six factors instituted by the DOL for relationships between a worker and a potential employer.
The United States is just a few months into what will undoubtedly be a contentious election year. Leading up to the November election, polling will help news media publishers tell the election story, and what the public thinks about the candidates and the public policy issues most important to them. How reliable are polls today — political or otherwise? E&P asked the experts.
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