Dan Kennedy
@dankennedy.net
J-prof at Northeastern University. Author, most recently, of "What Works in Community News," with Ellen Clegg. News and commentary at Media Nation, https://dankennedy.net.
Pinned
Dan Kennedy
@dankennedy.net
· Oct 19
Book
Home | About the Book | Advance Praise | Reviews and Features | Calendar of Events “What Works in Community News: Media Startups, News Deserts, and the Future of the Fourth Estate,” by Ellen Clegg …
whatworks.news
In "What Works in Community News," Ellen Clegg and I examine about a dozen independent local news outlets in nine parts of the country. We hope it will inspire folks who live in news deserts to take their information needs into their own hands. #journalism #localnews
Student newspapers that rely on university funds need to go independent. www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/when...
When universities silence student newspapers, press freedom is at risk - Editor and Publisher
In this debut column, Stuart N. Brotman examines a troubling rise in censorship, retaliation and print bans targeting student newspapers at public universities, where First Amendment protections shoul...
www.editorandpublisher.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Student newspapers that rely on university funds need to go independent. www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/when...
If Jeff Bezos ever takes an interest in the news business again, he might look at how a handful of independently owned large regional newspapers have achieved sustainability. My new article at @theconversation.com. #journalism theconversation.com/as-jeff-bezo...
As Jeff Bezos dismantles The Washington Post, 5 regional papers chart a course for survival
Other billionaires who own newspapers are doing a better job, a journalism professor explains.
theconversation.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:05 PM
If Jeff Bezos ever takes an interest in the news business again, he might look at how a handful of independently owned large regional newspapers have achieved sustainability. My new article at @theconversation.com. #journalism theconversation.com/as-jeff-bezo...
Creating fake rage-bait for Fox News. www.axios.com/2026/02/10/b...
GOP lawmakers urge FCC probe after Bad Bunny's Super Bowl performance
Many of the lyrics cited by critics are translations of Bad Bunny's songs but were not actually performed.
www.axios.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:23 AM
Creating fake rage-bait for Fox News. www.axios.com/2026/02/10/b...
Rural newspapers still depend on print and mail delivery. Now the USPS is letting them down. www.niemanlab.org/2026/02/terr...
“Terribly frustrating”: After USPS changes, more newspapers aren’t reaching subscribers on time
Newspaper delays are just one consequence of cost cuts and changes to a fraying 250-year-old system.
www.niemanlab.org
February 11, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Rural newspapers still depend on print and mail delivery. Now the USPS is letting them down. www.niemanlab.org/2026/02/terr...
I would be curious to know if Adam Gaffin of @universalhub.com has ever repeated one of his rhyming headlines about #MBTA mishaps. He must have written hundreds if not thousands of these, and they're all pretty great. www.universalhub.com/2026/once-mo...
Once more into the fray: A dead train at Broadway
At 1:51 p.m., the MBTA reported 15-minute delays on the Red Line due to a train that decided it would just rather not leave the warm comfort of Broadway station. The T reported the recalcitrant train...
www.universalhub.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:55 PM
I would be curious to know if Adam Gaffin of @universalhub.com has ever repeated one of his rhyming headlines about #MBTA mishaps. He must have written hundreds if not thousands of these, and they're all pretty great. www.universalhub.com/2026/once-mo...
Americans find it harder to stay informed about their neighborhoods, towns, and cities than about national and international news, according to a new study released today by the Civic Information Needs Census. chicago.suntimes.com/press-room/2...
Study reveals Americans find it harder to get news about their neighborhood than about the world
Civic Information Needs Census launches partner program to catalyze local information needs measurement in communities around the country.
chicago.suntimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Americans find it harder to stay informed about their neighborhoods, towns, and cities than about national and international news, according to a new study released today by the Civic Information Needs Census. chicago.suntimes.com/press-room/2...
How to build a newsroom plan for responding to First Amendment threats. www.poynter.org/reporting-ed...
How to build a newsroom plan for responding to First Amendment threats - Poynter
A Poynter guide to the documents and policies you need to gather and communicate.
www.poynter.org
February 10, 2026 at 5:36 PM
How to build a newsroom plan for responding to First Amendment threats. www.poynter.org/reporting-ed...
With no local news, those in news deserts turn to social media feeds, influencers and gossip. localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2026/0...
With no local news, those in news deserts turn to social media feeds, influencers and gossip
localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu
February 10, 2026 at 5:30 PM
With no local news, those in news deserts turn to social media feeds, influencers and gossip. localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2026/0...
Let's hope that the Daily Herald, in Chicago's suburbs, can fight off an acquisition attempt by Alden Global Capital. The Herald is employee-owned, so the hedge fund is likely to face a "a skeptical audience." localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2026/0...
Alden Global Capital makes push to buy Daily Herald in Chicago suburbs
Alden Global Capital, the private equity fund that owns the Chicago Tribune and more than 160 other newspapers across the United States, wants to add the Daily Herald to its portfolio.
localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu
February 10, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Let's hope that the Daily Herald, in Chicago's suburbs, can fight off an acquisition attempt by Alden Global Capital. The Herald is employee-owned, so the hedge fund is likely to face a "a skeptical audience." localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2026/0...
Many thanks to Em Cassel (@biketrouble.bsky.social), co-founder and editor of @racketmn.com, for talking with our @northeasternu.bsky.social opinion journalism students about covering the ICE occupation, writing reviews and more.
February 10, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Many thanks to Em Cassel (@biketrouble.bsky.social), co-founder and editor of @racketmn.com, for talking with our @northeasternu.bsky.social opinion journalism students about covering the ICE occupation, writing reviews and more.
Why vertical video is becoming essential for local news. www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/why-...
Why vertical video is becoming essential for local news - Editor and Publisher
As audiences drift away from print and traditional web traffic continues to erode, local news organizations are being forced to rethink how — and where — journalism shows up. In this month’s feature, ...
www.editorandpublisher.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:26 PM
Why vertical video is becoming essential for local news. www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/why-...
My latest for @theconversation.com: As Jeff Bezos dismantles The Washington Post, five regional papers chart a course for survival. What could Bezos learn from The Boston Globe, The Minnesota Star Tribune, The Seattle Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Salt Lake Tribune?
As Jeff Bezos dismantles The Washington Post, 5 regional papers chart a course for survival
Other billionaires who own newspapers are doing a better job, a journalism professor explains.
theconversation.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:06 PM
My latest for @theconversation.com: As Jeff Bezos dismantles The Washington Post, five regional papers chart a course for survival. What could Bezos learn from The Boston Globe, The Minnesota Star Tribune, The Seattle Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Salt Lake Tribune?
I'll add another reason to @damon.kiesow.net's list of why people stick with Substack: They are constantly being told, "Don't use this, don't use that." Get off Xitter! Boycott Amazon! Meta's platforms are kind of dubious! At a certain point, folks just tune out. (Note: I'm not on Substack.)
The irrationality of clinging to a sinking platform
The Guardian reported today on Substack’s willingness to amplify—and profit from—Nazi content. And yet, people launch new blogs on the site daily?
There are a few cognitive biases wrapped up in why p...
kiesow.net
February 9, 2026 at 12:56 PM
I'll add another reason to @damon.kiesow.net's list of why people stick with Substack: They are constantly being told, "Don't use this, don't use that." Get off Xitter! Boycott Amazon! Meta's platforms are kind of dubious! At a certain point, folks just tune out. (Note: I'm not on Substack.)
Will Lewis: My work here is done.
February 8, 2026 at 11:08 AM
Will Lewis: My work here is done.
With all due respect, the idea of trying to get Bezos to sell The Washington Post’s local news and sports sections is kind of dumb. He needs to sell the whole thing — or, as I’ve said before, donate it to a nonprofit. www.status.news/p/washington...
Conflict of Disinterest
Jeff Bezos was once hailed as the ideal billionaire steward of a newspaper—but his recent actions have made clear that it’s time for him to sell The Washington Post.
www.status.news
February 7, 2026 at 9:31 PM
With all due respect, the idea of trying to get Bezos to sell The Washington Post’s local news and sports sections is kind of dumb. He needs to sell the whole thing — or, as I’ve said before, donate it to a nonprofit. www.status.news/p/washington...
The clip appears for less than a second toward the end of a tedious presentation on (non-existent) voter fraud. I thought the defense would be that Trump didn't watch the whole thing, but Leavitt has already blown that up. There was a time when this would have led to talk of resignation.
Proud to say that I started calling Trump a "racist hatemonger" during the 2016 campaign, on "Beat the Press with Emily Rooney" and in my @gbhnews.bsky.social column. And I appreciate that GBH never told me to stop.
February 6, 2026 at 2:44 PM
The clip appears for less than a second toward the end of a tedious presentation on (non-existent) voter fraud. I thought the defense would be that Trump didn't watch the whole thing, but Leavitt has already blown that up. There was a time when this would have led to talk of resignation.
Proud to say that I started calling Trump a "racist hatemonger" during the 2016 campaign, on "Beat the Press with Emily Rooney" and in my @gbhnews.bsky.social column. And I appreciate that GBH never told me to stop.
February 6, 2026 at 1:28 PM
Proud to say that I started calling Trump a "racist hatemonger" during the 2016 campaign, on "Beat the Press with Emily Rooney" and in my @gbhnews.bsky.social column. And I appreciate that GBH never told me to stop.
Reposted by Dan Kennedy
Democracy dies in tax cuts
February 6, 2026 at 12:34 PM
Democracy dies in tax cuts
Washington State University and @reportforamerica.bsky.social aim to place a reporter in every county in Washington State. www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/a-re...
‘A reporter in every county’: WSU, Report for America launch groundbreaking program to confront Washington’s local news crisis - Editor and Publisher
Washington State University's Murrow College of Communication and Report for America have launched an ambitious partnership to cover every one of Washington’s counties by 2029, aiming to fill reportin...
www.editorandpublisher.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Washington State University and @reportforamerica.bsky.social aim to place a reporter in every county in Washington State. www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/a-re...
Legendary Boston Globe sports columnist Leigh Montville praises John and Linda Henry a day after Jeff Bezos eviscerated The Washington Post. www.facebook.com/leigh.montvi...
Leigh Montville
I don't know John Henry or his wife Linda at all. He is our quiet sports billionaire in Boston. The big local do-dad he owns is the Boston Red Sox and he gets some grief sometimes about that, about...
www.facebook.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Legendary Boston Globe sports columnist Leigh Montville praises John and Linda Henry a day after Jeff Bezos eviscerated The Washington Post. www.facebook.com/leigh.montvi...
Can anyone point me to an article from approximately the past year reporting on how the Seattle Times is doing as a business? I'm coming up blank.
February 5, 2026 at 7:38 PM
Can anyone point me to an article from approximately the past year reporting on how the Seattle Times is doing as a business? I'm coming up blank.
My new supporters newsletter asks if the AI bubble is finally starting to burst. Plus, a roundup of the week's posts on Media Nation, photography and the return of Public Enemy. Please join my Patreon for just $6 a month. www.patreon.com/posts/suppor...
Supporter Newsletter #179 | Dan Kennedy
Get more from Dan Kennedy on Patreon
www.patreon.com
February 5, 2026 at 6:50 PM
My new supporters newsletter asks if the AI bubble is finally starting to burst. Plus, a roundup of the week's posts on Media Nation, photography and the return of Public Enemy. Please join my Patreon for just $6 a month. www.patreon.com/posts/suppor...
I talked with @alexanderrusso.bsky.social of The Grade recently about journalism's shaky present and uncertain future. I hope you'll watch and listen. alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/bridging-t...
The 'softness' of traditional day-to-day news
Watch now | Media columnist Dan Kennedy thinks legacy journalism needs to strengthen day-to-day news coverage and add nontraditional approaches — but not a wholesale reinvention.
alexanderrusso.substack.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:11 PM
I talked with @alexanderrusso.bsky.social of The Grade recently about journalism's shaky present and uncertain future. I hope you'll watch and listen. alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/bridging-t...
Washington Post newsroom when Bezos bought it from the Graham family: 560. Today: 500.
February 5, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Washington Post newsroom when Bezos bought it from the Graham family: 560. Today: 500.
The @ajc.com has been in expansion mode. Now it's making cuts, including about 25 journalists, but it claims that its expansion plans are on track. www.ajc.com/business/202...
The AJC to cut staff as it continues digital transformation
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution said Tuesday it will lay off staffers in the newsroom and other segments of the business.
www.ajc.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:34 PM
The @ajc.com has been in expansion mode. Now it's making cuts, including about 25 journalists, but it claims that its expansion plans are on track. www.ajc.com/business/202...