National World pay offer | GB News expands into US
And we have mapped Scotland's local news coverage
Welcome to your daily newsletter from Press Gazette on Friday 5 April.
You should have received a Press Gazette email yesterday seeking contributions to our neurodiversity survey.
If you have yet to take part please spare five minutes to do so here (it is only open to subscribers).
So far around 50% of respondents have signalled they have neurodivergent conditions such as ADHD or autism which suggests:
1) Neurodiversity is far more prevalent in news media than many might think
2) You are more likely to respond to a survey such as this if it applies to you.
Detailed responses are also starting to paint a picture of the benefits this hidden minority bring to our industry and also the changes employers should make to ensure people who think differently can feel welcome at their organisations.
This research aims to help us appreciate both the benefits more neurodiversity can bring to the news industry and the challenges many face adjusting to a working world which is not designed for them. Please take part to help us build a more complete picture if you have a neurodivergent condition or not.
In other news… UK regional press giant National World has made staff a pay offer which looks progressive in the sense that top execs are receiving less to help ensure those paid the least are given a bigger increase.
And we have continued our series mapping UK local news outlets with a feature showing Scottish local news publications by council district. The research suggests at least one outlet per administrative district of Scotland but please let us know if our data can be improved.
Have a great weekend when you get there.
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New from Press Gazette
Scottish local news coverage mapped: All districts have at least one outlet
North Ayrshire is the best-covered local authority district, with nine local media outlets.
National World staff set to receive pay rise of up to 6% as pay frozen for top execs
National World staff offered pay increases of between 2% and 6%. Follows Reach staff accepting 5% rise.
GB News hires first US correspondent in expansion of GBN America
Steven Edginton, a former Brexit Party staffer, joins the broadcaster from The Daily Telegraph.
News in brief
Google has started trialling generative AI-enhanced search results in the UK. Publishers fear Search Generative Experience (SGE) will answer questions directly on Google thereby destroying referral traffic. (BBC News)
Future's share price has regained some lost ground after a trading update revealed a return to revenue growth fuelled by price comparison site Go Compare alongside “good growth in B2B, and a resilient performance in magazines”. E-commerce and advertising for media brands remains "challenging", the publisher said. (Future)
Forbes faces questions over a cloned version of its website packed with advertising which was invisible to search engines. The website www3.forbes.com was closed on Tuesday and received traffic via paid links on widgets like Taboola and Outbrain. (Wall Street Journal)
The New York Times is partnering with a company that uses eye-tracking data to work out if readers are paying attention to ads with the goal of eventually tying this to ad campaign performance. (Marketing Brew)
In Australia, Nine Entertainment, which owns The Sydney Morning Herald and Australian Financial Review, has told staff the post-pandemic advertising bubble has “well and truly burst” and pressures on revenue are expected to continue for some time. (Capital Brief)
The Guardian's "esteemed and pioneering" former foreign correspondent Hella Pick has died aged 96. (The Guardian)
The Professional Publishers’ Association, which represents magazine/specialist publishers, says it's good Royal Mail no longer wants to ditch Saturday letter deliveries but proposed reductions in second-class delivery days would mean publishers forced to spend more on first-class postage.
Jonathan Agnew is leaving his role of BBC cricket correspondent after 33 years this summer although he will continue to present Test Match Special and will “continue to be a regular voice across BBC programmes”. (The Guardian)
Ex-Yorkshire Live reporter Robert Sutcliffe has been given a suspended jail sentence for harassing four women, including the site's head of news and its local democracy reporter. His defence said the events happened during a "mental health crisis". (Yorkshire Live)
In the US ProPublica has pledged to publish "accountability journalism" in every state over the next five years under its 50 State Initiative, expanding the scope of its local and regional work. (ProPublica)
The Guardian's "esteemed and pioneering" former foreign correspondent Hella Pick has died aged 96. (The Guardian)
Previously on Press Gazette
How under-35s’ interest in news has collapsed and what we can do about it
How Independent’s Buzzfeed deal supercharges its social media reach
News agency employing 30 calls time due to falling publisher budgets
How publishers will need to change subscription policies due to Digital Markets Bill
Top 50 UK news websites: Most brands report audience dip in February
Video brand TLDR finds way to make money providing news for the young
What news publishers should do now to avoid extinction in 2025
Latest podcast
Podcast 68: How to make news pay on Youtube with TLDR News
Founder of video news network TLDR News Jack Kelly explains how he funds an 11-strong editorial team providing serious news for younger viewers on Youtube.
The profitable publisher is funded mainly through the Youtube ad revenue split and direct-sold sponsorship – but also made a successful foray last year into print publishing.
Press Gazette live
Entries are now OPEN for the Future of Media Awards 2024 (which celebrate the best journalism-based digital products). Check out the full list of categories here. Note: These awards are free to enter.