The Latest: Paramount + The Free Press; Fox News viewership; NYT shuts down audio app

Sept. 4, 2025

■ Fox News has millions more viewers than any rival. Did it play hardball to get there? (Hollywood Reporter)

■ NAB kicks off new phase in campaign to modernize broadcast ownership rules (TV News Check)

■ Connoisseur Media completes Alpha Media acquisition, jumps into top 10 U.S. broadcasters . (InsideRadio) / Scripps agrees to sell WFTX in Fort Myers-Naples to Sun Broadcasting for $40 million (Scripps)

■ ‘Cuts coming to CNBC International . Employees are being notified that their roles are potentially being impacted, part of a consultation process mandated by UK law.’ (Ben Mullin) / Siniscalchi named CNBC director of editorial operations (Talking Biz News)

■ Publisher Gannett wins dismissal of nearly all of journalists' job bias lawsuit (Reuters)

■ The New York Times is shutting down its audio app (Adweek)

■ Better Newspapers Inc. sells 15 Illinois, Missouri papers to Paxton Media Group (Illinois Business Journal)

■ MassLive has spun a small-market newspaper into a web traffic powerhouse (Nieman Journalism Lab)

■ Local news needs a weather beat before the next disaster hits (Poynter)

■ CNN announces new hires to bolster Jerusalem bureau (CNN) / From Washington Post to Manchester's Mill Media for new investigations editor (Press Gazette) / Daily Mail names first president for North America to lead revenue growth (Press Gazette) / Noel Ramos named news director for KTLM McAllen (TV News Check) / Louisville Public Media alum named NPR PM anchor (Radio Ink) / Axios hires Harder as national energy correspondent (Talking Biz News) / Semafor hires Browne as ME for live journalism (Talking Biz News) / Felicia Mason retires after 38 years with Alabama Press Association (Alabama Press Association)

■ ’The Paper’ debuts on Peacock featuring Toledo newspaper (Axios Columbus) / ‘The Paper’ renewed for season 2 ahead of ‘The Office’ offshoot’s premiere on Peacock (Deadline) / Review: 'The Paper' is a spot-on commentary about the sad state of American journalism . But you'll laugh. (Los Angeles Times)

Covering the Federal Takeover Gathering arrest data Knowing the law And other tips for journalists covering DC Join us Friday September 5 at noon ET over Zoom

Tomorrow: Tips for covering the federal takeover of D.C. law enforcement

Journalists covering the federal takeover of D.C.’s law enforcement have a lot to keep up with, including a slew of executive orders, near-daily public rallies and press conferences, and video footage that conveys conflicting messages depending on who’s released it.

So, how can journalists gather the most accurate and up-to-date information to tell stories that best serve the public? How can they distill the facts and overcome challenges around obtaining crucial arrest data while contextualizing the latest news?

Join the Institute and the D.C. Open Government Coalition for a briefing tomorrow, Sept. 5, at noon ET to learn best practices for gathering arrest data and the D.C. codes that address access to public information. Participants will gain insights into covering the law enforcement agencies that are active in the capital city.

Speakers

Robert Becker, D.C. Open Government Coalition board member
Fritz Mulhauser, D.C. Open Government Coalition secretary and co-chair of its legal committee
Moderator: Elliot C. Williams, National Press Club Journalism Institute training manager

This briefing will be recorded and shared with all registered participants.

Join us at the Canva Studio during ONA25

This fall, the National Press Club Journalism Institute is partnering with Canva to develop training that empowers journalists to use the free-to-use online graphic design tool in their storytelling.

Meet us in the Canva Studio during the Online News Association convention next week in New Orleans for expert-led tutorials and hands-on 1:1 support for how to use Canva’s various tools. Attendees will leave with practical tips, fresh design ideas, and new skills to bring back to their newsrooms or freelance businesses.

Schedule

Wednesday (see full list of speakers here)

Canva 101: Visual design for journalists who don’t do design (9 a.m.)
How to build connection in the scroll age (10:30 a.m.)
Beyond Resumes: Power up your job search with Canva — led by Institute Executive Director Beth Francesco (1 p.m.)
Visual storytelling in Louisiana's Cancer Alley (3 p.m.)

Thursday (see full list of speakers here)

AI, GEO, and the Future of Journalism: Cutting through the noise (8 a.m.)
Design Once, Publish Everywhere: Canva workflows for journalists on the move (9 a.m.)
Storytelling that Connects: Turning news into belonging with Canva (10 a.m.)
Build your audience growth plan (11 a.m.)
Escaping the Echo Chamber: Building resilient newsrooms through storytelling innovation (noon ET)
From Image to Impact: Powerful photography to real-world influence, and how design and distribution play a role (1 p.m.)
Design Fast, Publish Smart: Visual workflows (2 p.m.)
So you want to start a newsletter? Let’s build one that lasts — led by Institute Executive Director Beth Francesco (3 p.m.)
Now Screening: How Australian newsrooms use Canva to meet audiences where they are — literally (4 p.m.)

Friday (see full list of speakers here)

Scale Your Visual Identity: Smarter tools for consistent storytelling (9 a.m.)
Designing for Trust and Attention: The new rules of visual storytelling (10 a.m.)
Designing Through the Funnel: Turning audiences into communities with Canva (11 a.m.)
Your 2026 Toolkit: Energizing the post-AI newsroom ( 1 p.m.)
Unsiloing Storytelling: Workflows…that really work! (2 p.m.)
The Canva Happy Hour: BYO Good Vibes 🍹(3 p.m.)

RSVP to the speaker sessions here.

National Press Club news

Resources

This newsletter is written and edited by the National Press Club Journalism Institute staff: Beth Francesco, Holly Butcher Grant, Elliot C. Williams, Allison Prang, and Mitch Harle. Send us your questions and suggestions for topics to cover.

Get this from a friend? Subscribe and view the archives.

DONATE TO THE INSTITUTE

The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. As the non-profit affiliate of the National Press Club, the Institute powers journalism in the public interest. The Institute's tax ID number is 52-1750908.