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????? Calling all LGBTQ+ media outlets! The deadline is approaching for completing the LGTBQ+ media mapping survey, which Tracy Baim, Hanna Siemaszko, myself, and the News is Out team are working on with grant support from the MacArthur Foundation. We have been working with advertising leaders and publishers across the country to spread the word about this important survey. If you are an LGTBQ+ outlet, you likely have received an email asking to complete it. Don't delay! Results will be compiled in a public report, and a map of all outlets across the U.S. with support from Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Here is the survey: https://lnkd.in/gzEJknNe

Now accepting applications: The Next Challenge will award $200,000 to innovative, early-stage start-ups reinventing media and journalism. The competition by the Glen Nelson Center at American Public Media Group is seeking groundbreaking ideas that transform local news, build technology to power future newsrooms and analyze publicly available data to power essential local journalism. Learn more and apply by March 18: https://lnkd.in/gFBn5Fun Proud to be a partner of The Next Challenge. #PressForward ?? : Jeff Freeland Nelson announcing the challenge at the Knight Foundation Media Forum.

?? "I think the people who have advanced these false narratives are very astute about sensing the weaknesses in traditional media and attacking them. One of them is, in fact, our reluctance to release the raw reporting product, and so they know they can make allegations about how an interview was deceptively edited, or how this was done, or how that was done, knowing that. A lot of our bigger institutions just will not release a transcript that would prove that what they were saying was not true, and they already have a great deal of buy in from their supporters. Their supporters already don't believe us. And so trying to convince somebody who's already convinced that you're lying to them, that's very, very difficult, but I do think we have to maybe see this as more of a messaging and propaganda problem as much or more than it is a journalism quality issue." - Eric Deggans

Stonerock Business Solutions is redefining what’s possible, having secured over $131 million in funding with an 82% success rate. The Navigator grant tool is available for do-it-yourselfers. If you need one-on-one help, AlignSimple is leveraging emerging local news business strategies alongside Stonerock’s expertise in securing and managing philanthropic funding. Engage your community and newsroom by adding a Chief Audience Officer and Fund Development Director to your team (at a fraction of the cost of a full-time senior position.)

Craig once told me, “The numbers never lie, but they also never tell the whole truth.” It reminds me of a moment working with an executive on a presentation. Unsatisfied with the initial results of an initiative they are leading, they start to make requests to "improve the graph" by selecting different metrics, adjusting illustrations, and shifting date ranges. After a while, I grow tired of the back-and-forth and finally ask, “What story do you want to tell? Do you want it to appear successful? In progress? Let me know what action you want people to take, and I can manipulate the data selection and visualization to evoke that conclusion.” Data never lies. Communication told through selective data is intellectually dishonest. While the initiative's core objective was defined before the analysis, the stakeholders did not establish a consensus on the KPIs, targets, or timetable that defines success or failure. This is why I push for details that define success. Once expectations are written down, the discussion becomes about whether the experiment itself is a success or failure—not about "trusting the data."

DEADLINE | GNI programs are a great way to prioritize professional growth on your calendar instead of the stifling stagnation of daily operations. It's a unique opportunity to work with a great team while dedicating time exploring emerging strategies supported by new tools. #journalism #localmedia Google News Initiative #aijournalism #localnews

?? Congratulations to The AFRO-American Newspapers on the launch of their new website! ?? This Newspack #WordPress site was guided by AlignSimple in collaboration with the Local Media Association, The Knight x LMA BloomLab, Apryl Pilolli, and the?Local Media Consortium's DODS program.

Are you a Publisher, News Director, or Executive Editor looking to restructure existing newsgathering workflows to produce more compelling content? Schedule a chat with a fractional Chief Audience Officer (CAA): https://lnkd.in/gpP6Qa79

We’re incredibly grateful for AlignSimple's roster of fractional experts in news, sales, marketing, data, and operations. Your hands-on contributions are crucial in addressing executive leadership's concerns and empowering their organizations to grow despite the paradigm shifts in news consumers' attention. At AlignSimple, we’re proud to offer: ? Customized solutions tailored to your needs ? Deep industry expertise in local media ? Cost-effective, flexible, and scalable services It’s like having a dedicated team at your fingertips—without the full-time commitments.

Game-changing solutions wanted: Press Forward’s Open Call on Infrastructure is open for applications! Local news outlets should be easier to start and sustain. That’s why Press Forward is investing up to $20 million in solutions to the common challenges newsrooms face through this grant opportunity.? ? This Open Call seeks ideas for strengthening the essential infrastructure the field needs to: ??Build Audience? ??Strengthen Operations? ??Cultivate Talented People &?? ??Generate Revenue. We’re looking for bold ideas that can scale or replicate to impact the sector, with grants of $500,000 to $1.5 million. All journalism support organizations and newsroom-led coalitions and collaborations are eligible to apply. Learn more and sign up for an information session at pressforward.news/opencall.?