"E & P Reports" from Editor & Publisher Magazine hosted by Mike Blinder Mike Blinder

In this exclusive interview with E&P, prominent American journalist, Guardian columnist and media critic Margaret Sullivan discussed the current leadership turmoil at The Washington Post, highlighting Jeff Bezos’ decision to hire Will Lewis as the new publisher and the controversies surrounding his tenure. Sullivan also emphasized her efforts to reshape her Substack newsletter, “American Crisis,” to address the critical role of the media in informing the public and safeguarding democracy, particularly in the context of the upcoming 2024 election.
Reference more information and complete audio transcipt at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/margaret-sullivan-on-controversies-at-the-post-and-prioritizing-her-focus-on-medias-critical,250533
 

 
In this wide-ranging interview with Jeffrey Sleete, a seasoned media sales consultant with a rich radio and TV advertising sales background, we delved into his approach to media sales and the principles that have guided his successful career. Sleete, who now writes a column for E&P Magazine, shared his ideas on various aspects of how to successfully engage small businesses in today’s challenging local media ecosystem.


Access links, audio transcripts and more info on this episode's landing page at:
https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/unveiling-the-secrets-of-sales-mastery-insights-from-jeffrey-sleete,250412

During this exclusive E&P interview, Gordon Borrell, CEO of Borrell Associates, provided critical insights into the evolving landscape of local media. Highlighting a seismic shift in the industry, Borrell emphasized content as a key differentiator in what he terms the “final phase” for local media. To underscore this, he announced the relocation of Borrell Associates’ 2025 annual conference from Miami to the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at ASU.
Access more at http://www.EditorandPublisher.com/Vodcasts
 
 

In an era marked by rampant misinformation and polarized media landscapes, NewsGuard has emerged as both a champion of credible journalism and a lightning rod for controversy. Founded in 2018 by Steven Brill and Gordon Crovitz, the company aims to rate the reliability of news websites based on transparent, objective criteria. However, NewsGuard’s mission has been challenging, facing legal battles, accusations of political bias and public criticism from high-profile figures like Elon Musk. In this exclusive interview with E&P Magazine, Brill and Crovitz discuss these controversies, their steadfast commitment to promoting trustworthy news, and their insights on the future of credible journalism amid the ever-evolving media landscape.
Reference more at this episode's official E&P ;anding page,at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/newsguard-under-fire-balancing-credibility-and-controversy-in-modern-journalism,250118
 
 

Dallas Morning News (DMN) publisher Grant Moise explains the decision to reintroduce the public editor position despite industry trends of cost-cutting, stating, "We looked at data points, we looked at our own internal reasons why subscribers were leaving us, and we just decided we couldn't afford not to make a bold move like this. So, we said, some papers will say, 'They can't afford it.’ We said, ‘We can't afford not to do this.'"
Stephen Buckley, who recently began the role of public editor at DMN, explained: "I'm a bridge between our audience and the newsroom. So, as I get feedback from readers about our work, I will pass that on and investigate and inquire. I'll be asking questions about their coverage of stories and issues." Buckley added, "Independence is a really important part of this job, and, almost by definition, that means that it's going to be lonely sometimes, and that's okay.”
Buckley’s impressive journalistic background includes over 11 years at the Washington Post as a local reporter and as Africa and Brazil bureau chief. He also spent over seven years at the St. Petersburg (FL) Times (now Tampa Bay Times) in senior management positions that included managing editor, moving eventually into the Time's parent company's Poynter Institute as dean of faculty. In 2021, he accepted a position at Duke University as the Eugene C. Patterson professor of practice and public policy studies, which he will maintain as he works for DMN.
During the interview, Moise expresses optimism about the journey ahead, anticipating both successes and challenges. He emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and improvement to enhance the organization's journalistic standards.
Moise further explained that reintroducing the public editor position at the Dallas Morning News reflects a strategic effort to rebuild trust and credibility in journalism. He reflected that: “32% of people in Gallup polls trusting the media these days, which means two thirds don't really have any trust.” Moise and Buckley both expressed a shared hope that this move would enhance the newspaper's reputation and strengthen its relationship with the community.

In September of 2021, CherryRoad Media, a Parsippany, New Jersey-based technology company, surprised the news media industry with its purchase of 20 newspapers from the Gannett. Since then, the company has continued to grow and expand its US holdings, now owning 85 newspapers across 18 states.\
Beyond purchasing existing titles, CherryRoad has also built new operations in some “news desert” communities who lost their local papers. Two of the most recent print/ digital “rebirths” were the mid-May 2024 launches of the Hutchinson (MN) Station and The Litchfield (MN) Rail, replacing the Hutchinson Leader and the Litchfield Independent Review, both stared in the 1880’s and announcing their closure in April of 2024.“It's a good time for anybody who wants to get into this business, because there's a lot of sellers and not a lot of buyers, stated Jeremy Gulban, CEO of CherryRoad.
When asked about how he can maintain business profitability in his smallest market operation in Hamburg, Iowa (population 700), Gulban states he can apply a regional approach to serving the community through economies of scale. “We do reasonably well there because we're able to leverage our staff in Nebraska City, which is across the Missouri River, about 15 minutes away to provide coverage, and the support there to sell into the market,” stated Gulban. “If we didn't have that, it would be impossible. The math just wouldn't work.”
When asked about what’s it like managing so many small market newspapers, Lee Bachlet, CherryRoad COO stated: “I believe deeply that what we do is important, particularly in these small communities. I say all the time, if we are covering their volleyball matches, their city councils, their chicken dinner fundraisers, that means something.” Bachlet went on to add: “This is the best move I've made in many, many years, because what we're doing, I believe, matters and makes a difference.”
In their quest for sustainability, CherryRoad is exploring innovative revenue models. While advertising remains a cornerstone, they're also embracing audience revenue through a carefully crafted subscription strategy. With a newly rolled-out (homegrown) paywall system, CherryRoad aims to strike a balance between free access and premium content, tailored to each market's needs.
Furthermore, CherryRoad isn't just preserving existing newspapers; they're pioneering new products and services to support local communities. By acquiring a glossy press operation in Minnesota, they're expanding their offerings beyond traditional print. From niche publications to digital initiatives, CherryRoad is committed to meeting the evolving needs of readers and advertisers alike.
Despite the challenges, Jeremy Gulban remains optimistic about CherryRoad's future. “We're getting very close to turning the corner. I think in this month of May, we are going to have our first profitable month,” stated Gulban. “This has been a long slog. I think I was naive about how hard this would be to turn all this around. I do feel like we're in the place we want to be finally coming into the summer here.”
In this exclusive interview, E&P checks in with CherryRoad Media’s CEO Jeremy Gulban and COO Lee Bachlet to learn how this less than 3-years-old US media empire is faring with their 85 newspapers across 18 states. Topics covered include their recent acquisitions, revenue strategies and how they find profitability serving some markets with populations less than 1,000. We also explore their recent new title launches in several “news desert” communities.