The United States ranks last in media trust — at 29% — among 92,000 news consumers surveyed in 46 countries, a found. That’s worse than Poland, worse than the Philippines, worse than Peru. (Finland leads at 65%.) The annual digital news report from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford also found some improvement in trust in nearly all the countries surveyed — probably thanks to COVID-19 coverage — but not in the U.S. where the low rating was flat year to year. One explanation, though not necessarily the only one, is the extreme political polarization in the U.S. This...…The United States ranks last in media trust — at 29% — among 92,000 news consumers surveyed in 46 countries, a found. That’s worse than Poland, worse than the Philippines, worse than Peru. (Finland leads at 65%.) The annual digital news report from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford also found some improvement in trust in nearly all the countries surveyed — probably thanks to COVID-19 coverage — but not in the U.S. where the low rating was flat year to year. One explanation, though not necessarily the only one, is the extreme political polarization in the U.S. This...WW…

As Gannett plans for continued COVID-related revenue pressure for the balance of the year, permanent expense reductions are in the works — but no newsroom layoffs. In fact, some staffing increases are coming at both USA Today and the company’s network of 260 regional dailies, Mike Reed, Gannett’s CEO, told me in an interview Thursday. Reed said that the company wants to build on traffic and paid digital subscription momentum over the last few months as its journalists have provided high volume and high-quality coverage of the pandemic and social justice protests. “We need to get even better...…As Gannett plans for continued COVID-related revenue pressure for the balance of the year, permanent expense reductions are in the works — but no newsroom layoffs. In fact, some staffing increases are coming at both USA Today and the company’s network of 260 regional dailies, Mike Reed, Gannett’s CEO, told me in an interview Thursday. Reed said that the company wants to build on traffic and paid digital subscription momentum over the last few months as its journalists have provided high volume and high-quality coverage of the pandemic and social justice protests. “We need to get even better...WW…

As hedge funds tighten their ownership grip on newspaper chains, the alternative of local ownership, perhaps including a pivot to nonprofit status, is often talked up as a hot option. Proceed with caution. Revisiting a dozen such sales over the last decade reinforced my sense that chains are reluctant to part with any paper they own. A formidable set of new challenges awaits any local buyer who does pry a property loose. Two Baltimore foundations are openly pursuing buying The Baltimore Sun from Tribune Publishing. Several Chicago Tribune reporters and editors have been searching for...…As hedge funds tighten their ownership grip on newspaper chains, the alternative of local ownership, perhaps including a pivot to nonprofit status, is often talked up as a hot option. Proceed with caution. Revisiting a dozen such sales over the last decade reinforced my sense that chains are reluctant to part with any paper they own. A formidable set of new challenges awaits any local buyer who does pry a property loose. Two Baltimore foundations are openly pursuing buying The Baltimore Sun from Tribune Publishing. Several Chicago Tribune reporters and editors have been searching for...WW…

Gannett advised in a memo to staff this morning that it will be instituting furloughs and other cost reductions in response to big advertising declines. The note from operating CEO Paul Bascobert said details would follow as regional executives determine their plans. A separate memo from Maribel Wadsworth, president news at Gannett and publisher of USA Today, said that reporters and editors who earn more than $38,000 annually will be scheduled to take an unpaid week off on a rotating basis. Gannett has used the same pattern in the past. It allows those affected to arrange a gig to earn some...…Gannett advised in a memo to staff this morning that it will be instituting furloughs and other cost reductions in response to big advertising declines. The note from operating CEO Paul Bascobert said details would follow as regional executives determine their plans. A separate memo from Maribel Wadsworth, president news at Gannett and publisher of USA Today, said that reporters and editors who earn more than $38,000 annually will be scheduled to take an unpaid week off on a rotating basis. Gannett has used the same pattern in the past. It allows those affected to arrange a gig to earn some...WW…

Advance Local followed Wednesday in announcing a series of pay cuts and furloughs to bring expenses down and ride out the deep advertising recession. The changes include pay cuts on a sliding scale from 2% to 20%, with higher salaried staff taking higher percentage reductions, effective May through the end of the year. Most employees will be expected to take two weeks of furloughs in that period, though those plans are fluid. And the company will suspend matching 401(k) contributions. Caroline Harrison, who became Advance Local’s CEO earlier this year, wrote that the cost savings were...…Advance Local followed Wednesday in announcing a series of pay cuts and furloughs to bring expenses down and ride out the deep advertising recession. The changes include pay cuts on a sliding scale from 2% to 20%, with higher salaried staff taking higher percentage reductions, effective May through the end of the year. Most employees will be expected to take two weeks of furloughs in that period, though those plans are fluid. And the company will suspend matching 401(k) contributions. Caroline Harrison, who became Advance Local’s CEO earlier this year, wrote that the cost savings were...WW…