For six years, Bob Sillick brought insight, curiosity and a deep devotion to the news media industry to the pages of E&P. His death leaves us mourning not only a gifted journalist whose work informed thousands of readers, but a trusted colleague and cherished member of our family. more

As misinformation campaigns grow more sophisticated and AI-generated deception floods digital platforms, journalists are facing an increasingly urgent challenge: how to verify what’s real before falsehoods spread unchecked. Two of the world’s leading disinformation experts believe they can help. Through their new platform, Indicator, Craig Silverman and Alexios Mantzarlis are equipping reporters with a growing arsenal of OSINT tools, investigative techniques and training designed to help newsrooms uncover digital deception faster — and fight back against the accelerating spread of misinformation online. more

As publishers compete for digital subscribers in an increasingly crowded media landscape, onboarding and retention have become critical revenue strategies. In this month’s Revenue Roundup, leaders from Forum Communications and STAT share how paywalls, personalized onboarding and subscriber engagement are helping strengthen loyalty and reduce churn. more

Nearly five years ago, Robin Blinder opened her first editorial for Editor & Publisher with a simple truth: change is constant. Today, she returns to that idea one final time — as she steps away from the editor-in-chief role, reflecting on the evolution of the industry, the people who shaped her journey and the work still ahead. more

News fatigue isn’t just a trend — it’s reshaping how, and whether, audiences engage with journalism at all. As fewer Americans follow the news consistently, newsroom leaders are confronting a hard truth: the relentless cycle of negative, high-volume coverage may be driving readers away, while more localized, solutions-focused reporting offers a path to bring them back. more

Trust in political news has become one of the industry’s most pressing challenges, with audiences increasingly skeptical of bias and unsure where to turn for balanced information. Many publishers are experimenting with new formats and approaches to rebuild credibility and reconnect with readers. One emerging strategy is radical transparency — presenting multiple perspectives side by side and allowing audiences to draw their own conclusions. In this month’s Company Profile, E&P looks at how Tangle is using that approach to grow its audience and redefine trust in political journalism. more

For journalists, getting the story often means pulling hard in a constant tug of war for information. Public records requests stall, sources disappear and officials increasingly respond to questions with silence — or hostility. Now, new research from the Reynolds Journalism Institute and Smith Geiger is examining how the growing use of “no comment” is reshaping public perceptions of journalism itself. more

As local newsrooms face growing resource constraints, new partnerships are emerging to strengthen investigative reporting capacity. In this report, Bob Sillick examines the merger of MuckRock and the Sunlight Research Center, a move designed to expand access to data, tools and hands-on research support. By combining technology with expert investigative services, the organizations aim to help journalists tackle complex stories they might otherwise be unable to pursue. The collaboration reflects a broader shift toward shared infrastructure and partnerships to sustain accountability journalism. more

With voter interest surging and political tensions running high, the 2026 midterms are shaping up to test both the electorate — and the newsrooms covering them. Early indicators suggest unusually high engagement, setting the stage for intense races and heightened scrutiny of election coverage. For journalists, the challenge goes beyond reporting results, as disinformation, AI manipulation and safety concerns add new layers of complexity. In this environment, news organizations are preparing not just to cover an election, but to defend the integrity of the information voters rely on. more

Local news organizations across the country are searching for sustainable paths forward as traditional business models continue to erode. In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, one of the nation’s oldest continuously published news organizations has chosen a decisive new direction. LNP/Lancaster Online is transitioning from a for-profit operation to a nonprofit newsroom, a move designed to protect its journalism, deepen community ties and secure long-term viability. The shift reflects a growing belief that local journalism’s future may depend as much on mission and philanthropy as on market forces. more

As audiences drift away from print and traditional web traffic continues to erode, local news organizations are being forced to rethink how — and where — journalism shows up. In this month’s feature, E&P’s Bob Sillick examines why vertical video has emerged as one of the most effective ways for newsrooms to reconnect with audiences who now consume news through social platforms and mobile screens. Drawing on real-world examples from local and national outlets, he explores how publishers are experimenting with short-form video to boost engagement without sacrificing journalistic standards. The result is a clear-eyed look at what vertical video can — and can’t — do for local news trying to stay relevant in a rapidly shifting media landscape. more

As audiences demand clearer answers about the economy and how their tax dollars are spent, local newsrooms face a growing accountability gap they often lack the resources to fill alone. In this feature, Bob Sillick examines how The Center Square has emerged as a trusted partner for more than 1,300 local media outlets by delivering free, fact-driven reporting on government and economic issues. Built around a taxpayer-first sensibility, the organization aims to strengthen public trust at a time of political and economic uncertainty. The result is a model that blends nonprofit mission, diversified revenue and investigative rigor to help local news better serve its communities. more

In a small Wisconsin town, the local paper of record isn’t produced by a professional newsroom, but by students. Eighty years after its wartime relaunch, Pulaski News remains the community’s primary source of local information. In this feature, Bob Sillick traces how a high school journalism program became an enduring civic institution. Along the way, he shows how student journalists continue to anchor community life while learning the craft that will shape their futures. more

Local communities power the nation’s economy, and local media remain the essential link connecting consumers to the businesses that serve them. Even as economic uncertainty lingers into 2026, publishers and advertisers must stay focused and strategic, resisting the pessimism that only deepens instability. That’s why E&P turned to its marketing partners for insights, predictions and practical guidance to help local media navigate a challenging year with confidence. more

Science touches nearly every beat in local journalism, yet many reporters lack the training or time to confidently navigate complex scientific topics. In this piece, Bob Sillick explains how The Open Notebook, in partnership with the Reynolds Journalism Institute, has launched the Science Reporting Navigator to close that gap. The new tool aims to help local journalists spot misinformation, understand research and bring scientific clarity to their daily reporting. more

As digital disruption collapses old print–radio–TV silos, local collaborations like the one between Spotlight PA and Nexstar’s five Pennsylvania stations show how journalism can adapt. Led by Christopher Baxter of Spotlight PA and Phil Dubrow of WTAJ, the partnership turns long-form investigative stories into short-form TV segments, reaching 10 million additional viewers and earning a $500,000 Press Forward grant to expand for three more years. It’s proof that breaking walls and sharing strengths can keep local news thriving. more

At 175 years old, Deseret News isn’t resting on its legacy — it’s redefining it. Born of pioneer grit and rooted in faith, the Salt Lake City newsroom is embracing the future with AI tools, video storytelling and digital-first products — all while staying true to its mission of elevating national conversations around family, freedom and faith. From the front lines of breaking news to the launch of new podcasts and training programs, this historic institution is proving that tradition and innovation aren’t at odds — they’re fuel for the next chapter. more

At The Post and Courier, community engagement isn’t a buzzword — it’s a revenue strategy. Under Publisher PJ Browning’s leadership, the Charleston-based newsroom has turned loyal readers into financial backers through donor drives, a new Journalism Preservation Society and sold-out speaker events like the Charleston Porch Talks. The goal? To fund in-depth investigative reporting and educational coverage that serves the public good — and proves local journalism is worth investing in. more

E&P’s Editor-in-Chief Robin Blinder reflects on the power of recognition in an industry too often focused on what’s broken. In her latest editorial, she shines a spotlight on this year’s Publisher of the Year, Chris Reen — a leader whose impact goes far beyond the newsroom. It’s a stirring reminder of why E&P continues to elevate the individuals who keep local journalism alive. If you believe in celebrating what’s right in media, this one’s for you. more

The internet once promised publishers limitless reach — then siphoned away their revenue. Now, generative AI threatens to deliver answers without clicks, leaving journalism with vanishing audiences and empty ad slots. Court battles may drag on for years, but a new crop of AI marketplaces is moving fast to fill the gap, offering publishers something they haven’t had since Google and Facebook ate their lunch: a way to get paid for their content. TollBit, ProRata, Cloudflare and Perplexity each claim they’ve cracked the code. The question is whether these models represent a lifeline — or just another false dawn. more