Need to Know: January 6, 2023

TOP NEWS THIS WEEK

After a New York Times story about representative-elect George Santos’s background revealed that he had fabricated much of his resume, some — including the Times’s Maggie Haberman — called it a “death of local media story.” But, the Washington Post reported, hyperlocal Long Island news outlet The North Shore Leader had actually unearthed much of this story before the election but it wasn’t picked up by larger media outlets. Part of this is because the local outlet didn’t use any social media to promote its story, but also because there are fewer mid-range outlets to amplify it. (The New York Times, CNN, The Washington Post, The Bulwark) 

MOST POPULAR STORIES THIS WEEK

These are the stories that captured the most interest from Need to Know subscribers this week. 

News engagement stabilized in 2022. While cable news still continued to see big drop-offs, engagement with digital platforms and social media remained steadier last year. (Axios) 

It’s time for PR for journalism. Ayala Panievsky argues that journalists should proactively make the case for the importance of journalism. (Nieman Journalism Lab) 

How to track digital mercenaries behind disinformation. Digital mercenaries are online actors that push disinformation online to sway political results. (International Journalists’ Network) 

NEW FROM API 

API is hiring a Program/Community Manager

API is seeking a full-time Program/Community Manager to strengthen the work of our Journalism Programs team and deepen our connection with our various alumni and partners. Working closely with the Director and Deputy Director of Local News Transformation as well as API’s Program Operations Manager and VP of Journalism Programs, the Program/Community Manager will co-design, manage and help grow our alumni community with a special focus on the Table Stakes Local News Transformation Program. The Program/Community Manager for API is a full-time (2-year contract with possibility for extension) grant-funded position. We’ll continue accepting applications on a rolling basis until we make a hire.

+ API is still accepting applications for a Web Applications Engineer. 

FOR THE WEEKEND

+ Publishers revisiting pandemic lessons in business ops as potential recession looms (Digiday) 

+ Influencers outshine traditional media on coverage of FTX implosion (The Washington Post) 

+ Welcome to the great Marblehead newspaper war: In the wake of newspaper closures, three new outlets have sprung up in the North Shore town. (The Boston Globe)