The Latest: Trump + ‘Meet the Press’; LAT ‘bias meter’; Vox Media layoffs

Dec. 5, 2024

■ Jeff Bezos says he will try to talk Trump out of idea that the news media is an ‘enemy’ (CNN) / Bezos is 'very proud' Washington Post didn't endorse Kamala Harris: 'right decision' (The Wrap)

■ In news deserts, Trump won in a landslide (Medill Local News Initiative) / How news consumption turned electoral outcomes in an influential Pennsylvania county (Columbia Journalism Review)

■ Los Angeles Times to publish 'bias meter' on news stories , owner says (The Wrap) / ‘Staffers at the Los Angeles Times described to Status a demoralized publication depleted of its spirit in which employees are "confused," "offended," and "frustrated." ’ (Oliver Darcy) / Read the statement: ‘Our commitment to journalistic integrity ’ (LAT Guild) / Why I just resigned from The Los Angeles Times (Harry Litman)

■ Vox Media lays off staff at its lifestyle brands as part of reorg (Business Insider) / Layoffs at Vox leave Thrillist essentially shuttered, Eater 'blindsided' (The Wrap)

■ ‘Some cuts/structural changes coming later today to both editorial and commercial sides of the business at magazine publisher Conde Nast, I'm told.’ (Max Tani)

■ Why have so many well-respected journalists left POLITICO lately? (New York Magazine)

■ Marc Burstein, top producer of ABC News Special Reports, plans to retire (Variety) / Broadcast journalist Chuck Scarborough to retire after more than 50 years (NBC News)

■ Gizmodo appoints new editor-in-chief and managing director to drive future growth under new ownership (Gizmodo) / Spokane Public Radio names John Decker GM (Current) / Scripps taps Matthew Hijuelos to lead distribution strategy (The E.W. Scripps Company) / The New York Times: New research editors at magazine (New York Times)

■ Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corp. employees agree to first union contract (Current)

■ PBS board approves new dues model for stations, adds to CEO fund (Current)

■ Lakeway Publishers sells Missouri regional operation to CherryRoad Media (CherryRoad Media via Editor & Publisher Magazine) / Astorian, Blue Mountain Eagle newspapers will sell headquarters (Oregon Live) / As newspapers close across the U.S., study finds Illinois is hard hit (Chicago Sun-Times)

■ Dow Jones negotiates AI usage agreements with nearly 4,000 news publishers (Nieman Journalism Lab) / Perplexity expands its publisher program (TechCrunch) / OpenAI strikes content deal with Tom’s Guide owner Future (The Verge)

■ I spent a year covering Taylor Swift's Eras Tour around the world. Here's what it was like. (USA TODAY)

Presidential Transition Briefing: What journalists should know about the transfer of power before Inauguration Day. Friday, Dec. 6, 11 am ET.

Join us tomorrow: Presidential transition briefing webinar for journalists

A lot must happen in the 76 days between Election Day and the inauguration to effectively transition to a new presidential administration.

Join the National Press Club Journalism Institute and the Partnership for Public Service for a virtual briefing that will help journalists understand the post-election milestones and planning requirements that presidents-elect must follow to ensure a smooth, effective transfer of power — and what happens when the incoming administration has not followed the traditional process.

Registration is open for this free webinar, tomorrow, Dec. 6, from 11 am to noon ET.

Participants will hear from:

Max Stier, founding president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service
Valerie Smith Boyd, director of the Center for Presidential Transition

4 considerations for your end-of-year giving campaigns

“Around this time of year, people are more philanthropic and inclined to give because of tax deductions on charitable contributions. … Some approaches to consider when crafting asks for end-of-year campaigns:

-- Jan Ross P. Sakian , program/community manager at American Press Institute, excerpt from “How to better connect fundraising asks to your journalism ” (Better News)

Three ways to shine as a newsroom leader

“You get minimal training for leadership in journalism. I did do training for midlevel news leaders in Saint Petersburg, Florida, at the Poynter Institute. It was really helpful. In the end, what I learned—mostly the hard way—was, firstly, to share the credit and take the blame; as a boss, the buck stops with you. Secondly, listen. It’s really important, and you have to learn to listen differently to reporters than you do your sources , because you have to help them and guide them through. Third, empower people who work for you.”

-- Elisabeth Bumiller , reporter and former Washington bureau chief at The New York Times, excerpt from interview with Columbia Journalism Review

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

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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.