 |
Media Matters has named Fox News its Misinformer of the Year for 2020. The network takes the baton from Fox contributor and founder of JusttheNews.com founder John Solomon, who won in 2019. Fox employees and executives who have received the prize in the past include Lachlan Murdoch (2017), Sean Hannity (2008) and Bill O’Reilly (2004). The main reason that Fox News as a whole won the award this year was its coverage of the COVID pandemic. “The right-wing network has promoted coronavirus misinformation an estimated 13,551 times on its weekday programs over the course of the pandemic,” according to Media Matters. A timeline illustrating the network’s qualifications for the award can be seen here.
 |
Politico has acquired E&E News, a news organization that covers energy and the environment. E&E News, which currently employs more than 65 reporters and editors in cities including Washington, New York City and Los Angeles, will continue to operate under its own name. E&E News principal founder and owner Michael Witt will remain with the company for the time being. Politico says that the acquisition will allow it to grow its footprint in the energy news space as the company focuses on bolstering its professional news business. Politico has survived the current economic relatively intact, with the company saying that it has added staff, now employing about 600 people in North America and close to 200 in Europe. Witt said that the combined company “will provide unparalleled and unique coverage of energy and environmental issues.”
 |
Amazon has signed an agreement to acquire podcast creator and producer Wondery. Reports in the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg put the deal in the $300 million range. Wondery will still operate independently under its own name. Amazon Music launched podcasts in September, and the acquisition sets the company up to compete with Spotify, which acquired podcast advertising and publishing platform Megaphopne in November. Amazon says that it intends for its purchase of Wondery to “accelerate the growth and evolution of podcasts by bringing creators, hosts, and immersive experiences to even more listeners across the globe.”
Boston Globe Media acquires InstaTrac, a company that provides subscription-based services aimed at making government information easier to find, track, and understand... AARP names former New Republic CEO and publisher Michael Caruso as its SVP and chief content officer, unifying the organization's portfolio of media, live events and digital platforms... The Fund for American Studies, an educational nonprofit, awards its inaugural Journalism Excellence Fellowships.
Trump Media and Technology Group Corp. has replaced CEO and former California Congressman Devin Nunes with Kevin McGurn, a seasoned media sales executive.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is being bought by the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, a nonprofit that is the parent organization of the Baltimore Banner... The British Broadcasting Corporation is axing approximately 2,000 jobs, about 10 percent of its work force... Snap, the company behind Snapchat, is also succumbing to layoff fever, announcing plans to lay off 16 percent of its employees, about 1,000 people.
CBS News Radio will go off the air on May 22, part of the axe-swinging managerial plan put into play by CBS editor-in-chief Bari Weiss... The Economist, which was first published in 1843, is changing hands. Canadian billionaire Stephen Smith has agreed to acquire a 26.9 percent stake in the publication from Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild, her family and family foundation... Nexstar Media Group says it has closed its acquisition of TEGNA, the broadcast, digital media and marketing services company that was formed in 2015, when the Gannett Company split into two publicly traded companies.
USA TODAY brings on Jamie Stockwell as VP of news, effective March 30. Stockwell was most recently deputy managing editor of news for the Washington Post... YouTube expands its likeness detection capabilities to a pilot group of government officials, journalists and political candidates... The AP Fund for Journalism adds 50 news organizations to its local news program, bringing the total number of participating newsrooms to 100. 
