January 11, 2024

• NBC News lays off dozens of staffers (The Wrap) / '…. Total number of employees affected will be fewer than 100 (out of staff of thousands).’ (Dylan Byers) 

• ESPN used fake names to secure Emmys for 'College GameDay' stars (The Athletic) / ESPN returning Emmys submitted under fake names (CNN) 

• Media executives urge Congress to enact legislation to prevent AI models from training on ‘stolen goods’ (CNN) / Which rights do AI and journalists have in common? (Nieman Journalism Lab) / OpenAI in talks with CNN, Fox and Time to license content (Bloomberg) 

• Donald Trump enjoys a relaxed Fox News town hall while top Republican rivals have fiery debate (Associated Press) / ‘If you wanna know how gently Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum handled Trump last night, just take a look at the glowing praise he gave them for the town hall.’ (Justin Baragona)

• A hard landing for a Houston news nonprofit (Texas Monthly) / The Houston Landing’s board is backing CEO Peter Bhatia over his controversial firings (Nieman Journalism Lab)

• News and notes on Bill Ackman’s pressure campaign on Business Insider (Puck) / ‘During a meeting with staff today, Business Insider CEO Barbara Peng acknowledged the noise around BI's reporting on Neri Oxman, but added that she couldn't elaborate because of a litigation hold. She said that Business Insider stands by independent journalism.’ (Max Tani)

• NewsNation expands weekend programming, launches new show 'Morning in America' (The Wrap) 

• KCRW ends 'Greater LA' as Anthony Valadez, Janaya Williams and others prepare to leave (Los Angeles Times)

• Slate acquires ‘Death, Sex & Money’ podcast as industry reshuffles (Bloomberg) 

• The Hollywood Reporter names Lachlan Cartwright special correspondent (The Hollywood Reporter) / Digiday Media announces David Amrani as new CEO (Glossy)

• How the Miami Herald got the Epstein documents (Vanity Fair) 

• As independent local news publishers reimagine business models, they face a fresh set of challenges (Poynter)

• From Iowa to Florida, national lawsuits against local book bans begin to gain traction (Los Angeles Times) 

Press Freedom 

• IDF says intel shows two journalists slain in Gaza strike were terror group members (The Times of Israel) / Gaza journalists’ families reject Israeli military's ‘terrorist’ claims (BBC) / The unprecedented killing of journalists is affecting coverage of Gaza (New Lines Magazine) 

• Putin keeps targeting hotels full of foreign reporters in Ukraine (Daily Beast) / CPJ: Ukrainian journalist receives threats after report on Kherson politician's Russian connections (The Kyiv Independent)

Tomorrow: Hear strategies for journalists & newsroom leaders to support mental health

Join us tomorrow, Jan. 12, at 11:30 am ET for a virtual conversation focused on practical tips and effective methods for journalists and newsroom leaders to address stress and burnout.

Participants will:

• Learn about mental health toolkits for journalists
• Find a network of like-minded journalists to talk about mental health
• Gain strategies for garnering their leadership’s support for mental health

Speakers:

Tara Francis Chan, managing editor & operations director, The Appeal

Naseem Miller, senior editor for health, The Journalist’s Resource

AX Mina, co-creator of the Take Care/Make Care zine for the Care Collaboratory and part-time program director at The Self-Investigation

Samantha Ragland, vice president, journalism programs, American Press Institute

In DC? Join us for a Moving Meditation class to boost wellness

On Wednesday, Jan. 31, the Institute’s director of training Bara Vaida will lead a gentle movement and breathing class aimed at reducing tension in the body, relaxing the mind, and encouraging connection with fellow hard-working journalists. Vaida is a 500-hour, Yoga Alliance-certified yoga instructor, with specialized training in meditation, stress-reduction, and therapeutics.

This one-hour, monthly gathering will take place in person at the National Press Club, beginning on Jan. 31, at 5:30 p.m. ET. Registration is open, with fees set at $5 for National Press Club members and $15 for nonmembers. 

This newsletter is written & edited by the National Press Club Journalism Institute staff: Beth Francesco, Bara Vaida, and Holly Butcher Grant. Send us your questions and suggestions for topics to cover.

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