Editor and Publisher Reports

Four years ago, Max Kabat left Manhattan to reinvent local journalism in the remote West Texas town of Marfa. He didn’t just take over a newspaper—he built a café, bar, event space, and community hub to fund it. Now, that bold experiment is not only thriving but inspiring others to rethink what local media can be. We caught up with Kabat to find out how it’s working, what’s next, and what lessons other publishers can take from the journey. Access more at this episode’s landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/turning-a-small-town-newspaper-into-a-community-hub,256115  

What if local media companies stopped acting like publishers and started thinking like SaaS platforms? That’s the provocative challenge laid down by veteran digital strategist Todd Handy in a recent episode of E&P Reports. Drawing from decades in media, tech, and recurring revenue models, Handy believes the path to sustainability lies in ditching short-term campaigns and embracing lifetime customer value. His message to news leaders: the future of publishing won’t look like a newsroom — it’ll look like a software company. Access more at this episode’s landing page:  https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/from-sales-to-saas-todd-handys-playbook-for-sustainable-local-media,256009  

Local media isn’t just struggling — it’s at a tipping point, and most companies are leaning the wrong way. In a brutally candid conversation, Gordon Borrell lays out why 85% of local outlets are capturing less than 10% of their digital ad potential and why newspapers, in particular, have seen zero digital revenue growth since 2020. He calls out broken sales cultures, invisible new businesses, and the dangerous illusion that hard paywalls are a sustainable fix. If you’re in news publishing and not reading this, you’re missing your wake-up call — and possibly your last chance to pivot. Access more from this episode’s landing page:  https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/gordon-borrell-warns-local-media-tipping-into-irrelevance-unless-urgent-changes-are-made,255823  

With legislative threats mounting at the state level, America’s Newspapers has launched a new coalition to unite press associations and publishers in defense of local journalism. In a recent E&P Reports episode, CEO Dean Ridings was joined by Alan Fisco, president of The Seattle Times and AN board member, and Debbie Anselm, the new executive director of the Iowa Newspaper Association, to unpack the coalition’s goals. Together, they made the case for why statehouse advocacy is longer optional — and how a collective voice can drive meaningful policy change.    Access more at this episode’s landing page, at:  https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/coalition-unites-press-associations-to-defend-journalisms-future,255713  

After helping hundreds of publishers navigate digital transformation, Charity Huff decided to walk the walk — by acquiring Denver’s 5280 Magazine. Just four months in, she’s proving that legacy brands can thrive with a modern strategy rooted in audience, authenticity, and innovation. From rethinking revenue to doubling down on events and email, Huff is blending bold ideas with respect for tradition. Her mission: to build a community-first, future-ready media company — and show others it can be done. Access more at this episode’s landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/print-proud-data-smart-inside-charity-huffs-reinvention-of-5280,255601  

At a time when trust in journalism continues to erode, the future of opinion content is under intense scrutiny. Should newspapers continue publishing unsigned editorials and political endorsements, or is it time to rethink the role of opinion altogether? That was the focus of a live panel at the 2025 America’s Newspapers’ Mega-Conference, where hundreds of news executives gathered for this live panel discussion to share strategies, struggles, and shifting audience expectations. What emerged was a candid, sometimes surprising conversation about how opinion journalism must evolve — or risk becoming irrelevant.   Access more on this episode’s landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/should-opinion-journalism-evolve-or-disappear-a-live-panel-from-the-2025-mega-conference,255476   

Press freedom is under attack — not in some distant land, but right here in the United States. From newsroom intimidation to funding cuts targeting public media, the threats are multiplying while public awareness remains dangerously low. In this powerful episode of E&P Reports, three key voices behind the Press Freedom United initiative expose the scope of the crisis — and what every publisher, journalist, and citizen can do about it. Sally Lehrman (The Trust Project), Anh-Thu Vo (PEN America), and Daniel Williams (BlueLena) don’t just ring the alarm — they offer a blueprint for action. If you care about the future of journalism in this country, this conversation is essential listening.   Access more at this episode’s landing page, at:   https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/press-freedom-united,255369  

If you’ve ever marveled at a Linotype machine or debated whether Helvetica is overused, you’ve likely felt Frank Romano’s influence—even if you didn’t know it. As the founder of the Museum of Printing and author of nearly 80 books, Romano has spent a lifetime preserving the stories, machines, and ideas that shaped the modern media landscape. From brass matrices to PageMaker, he’s witnessed every disruptive shift in how we communicate. And through it all, he’s championed one unwavering belief: print is immortal.   Access more at this episode’s landing page, at:  https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/saving-the-story-of-print-one-linotype-at-a-time-inside-the-museum-of-printing,255266  

From coast to coast, a wave of new laws is quietly rewriting the rules of news publishing. Subscription models are under fire, ad revenues are being threatened by state-level taxation schemes, and postal costs are climbing at unsustainable rates. The chaos isn’t coming—it’s already here. But while most publishers are focused on survival, the News/Media Alliance is walking the halls of Congress and state capitols, fighting back on your behalf. In this exclusive interview, VPs Holly Lubart and Emily Emery reveal what’s really happening behind closed doors—and what every publisher needs to know now. Access more on this episode's landing page, at:  https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/ad-taxes-subscription-laws-postal-chaos-inside-the-news-media-alliances-fight-to-protect,255159  

When an explosive leak hit The Atlantic, Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg faced a moment of truth. Journalism professor Jeff Jarvis weighs in on how Goldberg handled the saga, grading his response and breaking down what it means for newsroom ethics. Did Goldberg make the right call—or fall into a trap? Plus, Jarvis shares critical lessons for every journalist navigating today’s chaotic media landscape. Access more at this episode’s landing page, at:  https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/prof-jeff-jarvis-grades-jeffrey-goldberg-on-signalgate,255022  

Voice of America (VOA),, the U.S. government-funded international broadcaster, is facing an unprecedented crisis. Journalists have been cut off from their newsrooms—emails shut down, phones disconnected, and no way to reach editors—leaving many in a state of uncertainty. Steve Herman, Chief National Correspondent for VOA, finds himself among more than 1,300 colleagues placed on excused absence. While Herman was singled out under an executive order deeming him potentially disloyal to the president’s foreign policy, his colleagues’ suspensions were not linked to any alleged wrongdoing. As the shutdown stretches on, audiences once served by VOA’s trusted reporting are turning elsewhere, raising questions about the future of one of America’s most enduring journalistic institutions. Access more at this episode’s landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/voice-of-america-turmoil-through-the-eyes-of-veteran-voa-journalist-steve-herman,254884  

As tensions rise between the United States and Canada over tariffs, newspapers on both sides of the border are feeling the strain. Paul Deegan, CEO of News Media Canada, joined E&P Reports to discuss how the trade war is affecting the news industry, the broader economic implications, and the efforts being made to restore balance in a historically strong relationship. Access more on this episodes landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/paul-deegan-trade-war-threatens-survival-of-local-media-on-both-sides-of-the-border,254777  

For decades, journalists have been judged by their reporting and how they look and sound, often conforming to rigid, unspoken industry standards. But as news delivery shifts to digital platforms, podcasting and AI-driven content, those norms are being challenged like never before. In “Performing the News,” Elia Powers reveals how journalists — especially those from marginalized backgrounds — navigate the pressures of self-presentation and fight for authenticity in an evolving media landscape. Are the days of the “perfect broadcast voice” and “polished TV anchor look” finally over? Access more at this episode’s landing page; https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/examining-self-presentation-in-journalism-elia-powers-on-authenticity-and-industry-norms,254684  

The battle over media regulation, political influence and journalistic integrity has reached a new flashpoint as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) faces scrutiny over its selective enforcement of cases involving major networks. At the center of the debate is Fox’s Philadelphia affiliate, WTXF, and whether its parent company should retain its broadcast license given the network's documented history of knowingly spreading falsehoods. To unpack this issue, former FCC Chairman Al Sikes and longtime media executive Preston Padden — both leaders of the Media and Democracy Project — discussed the implications of the FCC’s actions and the broader stakes for press freedom and democracy. Their conversation highlights deep concerns about regulatory capture, the erosion of media accountability and the consequences of the FCC acting as a political weapon rather than an impartial guardian of the public interest. Access more at this episode's landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/media-acc

When a city government uses the courts to silence a newspaper, it’s not just an attack on one publication—it’s an attack on press freedom itself. That’s exactly what happened in Clarksdale, Mississippi, where a judge ordered the Clarksdale Press Register to remove an editorial questioning the transparency of a proposed tax initiative. The ruling, widely condemned as an egregious violation of the First Amendment, has ignited national concern among journalists and legal experts. In this exclusive conversation, E&P Reports dives into the case with publisher Wyatt Emmerich and press freedom advocate Seth Stern to explore what this means for the future of local journalism—and why every newsroom should be paying attention.   Access more (including actual censored editorial, Complaint and Restraining Order) at this episode’s landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/what-happens-when-a-city-silences-a-newspaper-an-inside-look-at-the-clarksdale-censorship-case,254442  

As more newspapers rethink their print schedules, The Post and Courier is making a bold move—scaling back to five-day print delivery while doubling down on digital engagement. In this exclusive interview, PJ Browning, president of the newspaper division at Evening Post Publishing, breaks down the strategy behind the shift, how they’re preparing loyal readers for the transition, and why she believes the future of local journalism is both digital and deeply rooted in community trust. Watch now to hear how The Post and Courier is navigating this pivotal moment in publishing.   Access more at this episode’s landing page: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/post-and-couriers-strategic-print-shift-a-new-era-for-south-carolina-journalism,254302  

Journalists have long faced obstacles in their pursuit of truth, but in recent years, a troubling trend has emerged: government-imposed gag rules that restrict public employees from speaking freely with the press. These restrictions, often enforced through public information offices or direct bans on communication, limit transparency and public accountability. In a recent episode of E&P Reports, Mike Blinder sat down with veteran Journalist Kathryn Foxhall and First Amendment Attorney Frank LoMonte to discuss the issue, its legal implications, and what journalists can do to push back. Access more at this episode's landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/time-to-challenge-gag-rules-journalists-fight-back-against-restrictions-on-public-employees,254213  

Local advertisers are drowning in a sea of digital choices, overwhelmed by ever-changing marketing trends and unsure where to invest their dollars. Yet, many media companies have abandoned one of the most effective ways to educate and engage them—advertiser workshops. In a recent E&P Reports interview, media sales expert Ryan Dohrn made a powerful case for why now is the time to bring them back. “Most advertisers don’t actually understand how marketing works today,” he explained. “If you’re not the one teaching them, someone else will be.” The takeaway? Local publishers must step up, lead the conversation, and reclaim their role as the trusted marketing experts in their communities.   Access more on this episode’s landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/ryan-dohrn-on-selling-value-overcoming-price-objections-and-reviving-advertiser-workshops,254105  

Dave Morgan, a digital media pioneer who helped shape the evolution of online advertising, offers a candid look at the challenges and opportunities facing local news in this episode of E&P Reports. From the rise of AI and social video to the limitations of subscription models, Morgan shares why traditional revenue strategies are faltering and what publishers should focus on instead. He also explores how local news organizations can rethink their business models, embrace new advertising approaches and stay relevant in a rapidly shifting media landscape. Access more at this episode's landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/dave-morgan-on-the-future-of-local-news-embracing-ai-social-video-and-a-startup-mindset,253972  

As the local news industry continues to evolve, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) remain a crucial part of its future. While challenges persist, opportunities for strategic growth and sustainability are expanding for both buyers and sellers. In this discussion, Sara April, president of Dirks, Van Essen & April, and John Thomas Cribb, director of Cribb & Associates, share their insights into current trends in media valuations, the impact of digital transformation, and key strategies for those looking to buy or sell media organizations. Access more at this episode’s landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/navigating-media-mergers-trends-valuations-and-future-projections,253862