Known for its hard-hitting investigations, ProPublica’s nonprofit newsroom remains highly regarded and awarded. But it came time to reimagine its branding, so that it better represented the news media organization’s evolution. In this E&P Quick Reads spotlight, Contributing Writer Tandy Lau explores the brand overhaul, which included a website redesign, new logo and fresh fonts. The ROI will be deeper engagement and more meaningful connections with ProPublica’s audience. more

As public media organizations navigate layoffs, shrinking budgets, evolving technology and the loss of federal support, the Public Media Journalists Association (PMJA) is building new ways to help journalists connect, learn and adapt. In conversation with PMJA’s Executive Director Christine Paige Diers, E&P’s Editor-in-Chief Gretchen A. Peck explores PMJA’s mission, its professional development opportunities, and its distinctive ability to maintain connections among the public media community. more

The Supreme Court’s decision to leave the landmark “actual malice” standard intact may have passed quietly, but its impact on press freedom, public debate and defamation law is enormous. In his latest “Democracy Desk” op-ed, Digital Media Laureate and E&P columnist Stuart N. Brotman explains why the legal doctrine at the heart of New York Times Co. v. Sullivan remains a crucial safeguard against efforts to silence criticism of powerful figures. more

When The Valley Independent shut down in 2015, many feared Monessen, Pennsylvania, had lost more than a newspaper. But just four months later, a new publication emerged in its image, thanks to some local community leaders. In this special report, which marks The Mon Valley Independent’s 10th anniversary, E&P’s Tandy Lau explores how the local news brand not only survived the brief closure, but built a new newsroom, compelled subscribers and proved its long-range viability. more

Can AI help solve one of journalism’s oldest business challenges instead of accelerating its decline? In this Shoptalk op-ed, Bill Densmore — Reynolds Journalism Institute fellow and founder of ITEGA.org — argues that AI has finally made it practical to build a long-envisioned marketplace that would let publishers collectively sell and share trusted digital content while giving readers a simpler way to pay for journalism. His proposal could reshape how news organizations think about subscriptions, licensing and the future of online information. more

As search traffic disappears and Gen Z increasingly gets its news from social media, YouTube and AI, news media publishers are confronting a question that could determine their future: How do you build loyalty with an audience that rarely visits your website? In this thought-provoking “Voices” column, E&P columnist Rob Tornoe explores why younger readers are abandoning traditional news habits — and offers some practical strategies for reaching the next generation before it’s too late. more

What happens when students run a real newsroom? In this inspiring Quick Read, E&P’s Taayoo Murray takes us to the Bronx River News, a high school newsroom in New York City. Here, students are developing the confidence to ask tough questions, learn how to cover breaking news, and discover the power of their own voices. Through reporting, editing and leading one another, these students aren’t just learning journalism; they’re becoming more engaged citizens and members of their community. more

William (“Bill”) McDonald spent nearly five decades in journalism, including the past 20 years overseeing one of The New York Times’ most fascinating beats: obituaries. In this exclusive interview with Editor & Publisher’s Editor-in-Chief Gretchen A. Peck, McDonald speaks to the editorial judgment, research and narrative care that goes into the Times’ obituaries — and why writing about death is really about celebrating life. more

One year after the loss of federal funding upended public media, stations are still navigating an uncertain future. While mergers, shared services and emergency philanthropy have dominated the conversation, E&P Columnist Alex Curley — founder of Semipublic and creator of AdoptAStation.org — suggests the industry’s survival may depend on real-time data that allows leadership to be better informed and more agile, and demonstrates to donors which stations are having the greatest local impact. Curley explains why the next 250 weeks will be the most consequential period in public media’s history. more

Are your media salespeople trying to convince clients, or are they influencing them? E&P columnist and media sales strategist Shannon Kinney explains why trust, emotional intelligence and adviser-based selling have become the real competitive advantage in today’s advertising market. Learn how shifting from pitching products to building influence can shorten sales cycles, strengthen client relationship and drive long-term revenue growth. more

What does it take to make journalism more accessible — for audiences and for the journalists who produce it? As Equal Access Public Media prepares for a rebrand as the Organization for Accessible Journalism, founder Stacy Kess reflects on the life-changing accident that inspired the nonprofit’s mission and the growing movement to remove barriers across the news industry. E&P’s Tandy Lau explores the organization’s evolution, its ambitious vision and why accessibility benefits everyone. more

Curiosity comes easy, but turning it into expertise is hard. E&P Columnist Chad Davis argues that one of AI’s greatest strengths may be helping people gain and structure knowledge deliberately. He tested the theory with a generative AI-driven workflow that transformed dozens of books into a yearlong course of study about public media. His process offers a practical blueprint for anyone who needs to organize large volumes of information. more

Inside newsrooms, artificial intelligence (AI) is sparking some of the most important conversations the industry has had in years. AI is now at the heart of Guild negotiations. Bullish news media executives are increasingly eager for AI adoption and the promise of productivity gains. And in the newsroom, journalists are figuring out where AI helps and where it falls short. E&P’s Diane Sylvester looks at the internal AI debates within news organizations that are working through real questions about trust, ethics and transparency. more

America turns 250. The major motion picture “Network” turns 50. In this month’s “Democracy Desk,” E&P Columnist Stuart N. Brotman connects the dots between the two anniversaries and explains what the First Amendment actually protects — and what it was never designed to do. more

Behind every Pulitzer-winning story is a story of its own. E&P’s Diane Sylvester takes a closer look at three award-winning projects awarded top Pulitzer Prizes this year, in the categories of Explanatory Journalism, Feature Photography and Local Reporting. Go behind the scenes as the recipients recount their newsgathering and storytelling processes, the challenges they faced along the way, and why collaboration and trust-building were essential. more

As the United States marks its 250th birthday, newsrooms across the country are doing what they do best — telling America’s story. From a Virginia weekly steeped in Revolutionary War history to a Wyoming paper bringing a Vietnam memorial to its community, publishers and editors are channeling the milestone into special editions and community events. Their efforts reflect something larger than celebration: a conviction that a free press and an informed citizenry are inseparable from the American experiment itself. more

A growing divide in how Americans consume news is creating profound challenges for journalism and democracy alike. In this month’s Democracy Desk, E&P columnist and media policy expert Stuart N. Brotman examines new research showing younger audiences increasingly turn to social media, creators and AI-powered tools for news, while older generations remain rooted in traditional media habits. The shift raises urgent questions about trust, civic engagement and whether the next generation’s news consumption patterns can sustain an informed democracy. more

Today’s news audiences often encounter journalism long before they ever visit a publisher’s website, discovering stories through social media feeds, short clips and mobile platforms. In this E&P Shoptalk, Newsweek Editor-in-Chief Jennifer H. Cunningham argues that video has evolved from a distribution tactic into an essential component of modern journalism, helping publishers reach audiences where they are while guiding them toward deeper reporting and understanding. more

Local news organizations know they need to evolve. The challenge is often figuring out how. As publishers wrestle with audience growth, revenue diversification and long-term sustainability, a growing number are turning to the Lenfest Expert Network, a program that pairs local newsrooms with seasoned media consultants at no cost. more

Can a newspaper survive — and even thrive — without a paywall? In this month’s digital media column, E&P columnist Rob Tornoe examines the bold decision by The Salt Lake Tribune to make all of its journalism free after more than 150 years as a subscription-based publication. The move offers a fascinating case study in nonprofit sustainability, audience growth and whether membership, philanthropy and community support can replace traditional digital subscription revenue. more