Micropayments have long been the media industry’s white whale — elusive, enticing and ultimately disappointing. But in today’s reader revenue landscape, the question isn’t whether micropayments will replace subscriptions — it’s whether they can strategically complement them. In this column, former Gannett and Baltimore Banner executive Imtiaz Patel revisits the debate with fresh eyes and practical use cases. From out-of-town readers to subscription-phobic skeptics, he argues that short-term access passes may finally make micropayments worth another look. more

As legal threats, political attacks and corporate pullbacks mount, the future of newsroom diversity, equity and inclusion is on shaky ground. From shuttered DEI offices to Supreme Court decisions with industry-wide implications, many media leaders now find themselves asking how — or if — DEI can survive. In this in-depth report, advocates, journalists, executives and legal experts weigh in on where things stand and what’s at stake. The message is clear: retreating isn’t just risky — it’s a step backward for journalism’s credibility, sustainability and connection to the communities it serves. more

Imagine a place where the brightest minds in journalism, technology and policy don’t just study the problems threatening a free press — they roll up their sleeves to solve them. That’s the vision behind the Center for News Technology and Innovation, or CNTI, a “do tank” determined to tackle everything from AI’s impact on news to global misinformation and the erosion of independent media. Led by veterans like Craig Forman and Amy Mitchell, CNTI is already reshaping how the industry thinks about research, policy and collaboration. If you care about the future of credible journalism, this is the story you can’t afford to skip. more

Local journalism is under siege in California, and the latest casualty may be the people’s right to know. In this powerful op-ed, Laura Rearwin Ward, publisher of the Ojai Valley News and founder of the California Independent News Alliance, lays bare the consequences of unchecked media consolidation — and the legislature’s failure to stop it. As hedge funds tighten their grip on community newsrooms, Ward argues that press freedom and public trust are on the line. Her message: If we want journalism that serves the people, we must fight to keep it in the hands of the people. more

E&P’s “Media That Matters” program returns for 2025 to spotlight the people and organizations redefining what success looks like in news publishing. From groundbreaking audience engagement strategies to creative revenue models and bold technological innovation, this year’s honorees set a new standard for the industry. Each winner demonstrates that journalism can thrive when it evolves to meet modern challenges with courage and ingenuity. Their stories are meant to inspire, encourage and remind us all why this work matters. more

For centuries, the humble article has been journalism’s beating heart — a sturdy container of facts, stories and public accountability. But as AI-powered chatbots and generative tools reshape how people consume information, some newsroom leaders are wondering if its time has finally come. Gard Steiro, editor and publisher of Norway’s Verdens Gang, thinks the article should die so journalism can survive. In an age where audiences expect conversations, videos and personalized feeds, the classic story form may be the next casualty of the digital revolution. more

Public media is once again fighting for its life. In a razor-thin vote, the U.S. House moved to strip $1.1 billion in funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting — a move critics call an existential threat to NPR, PBS and hundreds of local stations that millions of Americans rely on. From Detroit to Hartford, station leaders are scrambling to prepare for a future without federal support, even as they double down on their mission to serve diverse communities with trusted news and programming. At stake isn’t just a budget line — it’s whether public media will survive as one of the last locally owned, independent voices in American journalism. more

A new national survey by the Collier Prize for State Government Accountability reveals just how difficult it has become for journalists to cover state governments. Two-thirds of reporters said they’d been excluded from official briefings, while more than half struggled to obtain public records through FOIA requests. The findings, though based on a small sample, paint a troubling picture of shrinking access and rising hostility toward accountability reporting. As public trust erodes and newsroom budgets tighten, these barriers threaten to keep citizens in the dark about the institutions that most directly affect their lives. more

Publishers continually strive to build sustainable revenue models, typically choosing between subscription-first or ad-driven approaches. Currently, there’s a strong industry sentiment favoring subscription revenue for long-term sustainability. Advocates frequently highlight successful subscription models like The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and The Boston Globe. However, recent successes at Newsweek and the Daily Mail suggest that the ad-driven approach still has significant merit. more

As attacks on journalists escalate across the U.S., Maria Ressa is sounding the alarm: the dismantling of press freedom is happening faster than most Americans realize. From federal lawsuits against newsrooms to armed crackdowns on reporters covering protests, a coordinated campaign of intimidation is taking shape. “This feels like déjà vu and PTSD,” Ressa warned, recalling how Duterte’s government crushed independent media in the Philippines. Now, with lawsuits, shutdown orders and threats of license revocations piling up, U.S. journalists are facing a defining test of whether they will fight to defend a free press — or watch it slip away. more

Tom Davidson has watched media spend a decade ceding its audience relationships to tech platforms that know everything about their users — and share nothing in return. As Amazon, YouTube and Spotify collect granular data to drive loyalty and revenue, public media still relies on broad demographics and outdated fundraising tactics. Davidson argues that if media doesn’t build direct, data-rich connections with individual readers, viewers and listeners, they’ll be left behind for good. In his view, the time to act isn’t someday — it’s today. more

For nearly two centuries, The Associated Press has been at the forefront of delivering trusted news to the world. Now, as press freedom faces fresh threats and AI reshapes the media landscape, the AP is doubling down on innovation and accountability. From defending its First Amendment rights in court to launching programs that strengthen local journalism, the AP is proving that age is no barrier to reinvention. “You must be adaptable to shift and evolve as audiences change,” said Executive Editor Julie Pace — a philosophy that has kept the AP relevant since 1846. more

Local news publishers are fighting for new revenue — but many are missing one of the fastest-growing ad markets happening right under their noses. Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) advertising surged to $9.1 billion in 2024, with double-digit growth projected for years to come. Yet despite this boom, few media executives even recognize DOOH as a viable opportunity. The question isn’t whether this market is real — it’s whether you’re in it, or watching it pass you by. more

City Bureau is quietly transforming how local government is covered — by paying thousands of everyday people to attend public meetings and take detailed notes. Since 2016, its Documenters program has trained over 4,000 participants across 24 communities, helping fill the gaps left by shrinking newsrooms. The idea is simple: more eyes and ears on public bodies mean more accountability and more stories. But with expansion comes scale — and now the question is how to keep up with the volume of civic data pouring in. more

When The New York Post branded her school the “School of Glock,” high school senior Fredlove Deshommes knew there was more to the story — and she wasn’t about to let someone else write it. Armed with a microphone instead of a headline bias, she set out to reclaim her school’s narrative through a youth podcasting program that’s changing journalism from the inside out. Across New York City, students like Fredlove are stepping behind the mic — and into the byline — thanks to The Bell and the NYC Youth Journalism Coalition. It’s not just about telling stories; it’s about rewriting who gets to tell them. more

Imtiaz Patel has spent two decades in the news business — half of them focused on local journalism — leading everything from industry giants like Gannett to start-ups like The Baltimore Banner, where he served as founding CEO and publisher. While he’s made his share of tough cost-cutting decisions, Patel argues that the real crisis in local news isn’t cost — it’s revenue. more

The Pulitzer Prizes are journalism’s highest honor — and this year’s winners didn’t disappoint. From historic breaking news moments to deeply personal investigations, the 2025 awards recognize the boldest, bravest and most resonant journalism of our time. E&P takes a closer look at the stories, newsrooms and standout individuals behind the headlines — including a few you may not have heard enough about. Here’s what made this year’s winners unforgettable. more

Public media spent decades perfecting the donor funnel — but somewhere along the way, we started running it on autopilot. As over-the-air audiences shrink and digital-first competitors thrive, our old pledge-driven playbook is showing its age. Too many stations are still optimizing DVD premiums while ignoring digital engagement entirely. If we want small-dollar giving to survive, it’s time to stop tweaking pledge scripts and start rebuilding the funnel from the top down. more

As the National Association of Black Journalists prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary this December, the organization stands as a powerful testament to the legacy of its founders and the resilience of generations of Black journalists who followed in their footsteps. Its mission has always been to increase Black representation in media and to hold newsrooms accountable for how they report on Black communities. more

Since arriving at the Houston Chronicle in 2023, Editor-in-Chief Kelly Ann Scott has doubled the size of the newsroom’s investigative team and fueled a transformation rooted in public service, collaboration, and impact. Under her leadership, the Chronicle has embraced a mission-driven model of journalism — one that not only breaks stories but drives legislative change, wins awards, and builds trust with the community. “We want to be essential,” Scott said. “Our impact and investigative work needs to be essential.” more