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Noon Edition

Despite High Demand For Information, News Industry Struggles During Pandemic

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The front page of the Herald-Times for Monday, January 28. The H-T was bought by GateHouse Media in January from Schurz Communications. (WFIU/WTIU News)

Noon Edition airs on Fridays at noon on WFIU.

As people attempt to stay up-to-date on information during the pandemic, news consumption is up.

Data collected by Kantar says over of a third of people across the world see staying well informed as one of their primary ways of responding to the pandemic.

More than half of news articles consumed over Facebook are COVID-19 related, and Facebook-driven traffic to news sites is up.

According to the television measurement company, Alphonso, cable news networks have seen viewership climb 50 percent since the start of the year.

Yet since the pandemic, many media outlets have laid off, furloughed, or cut pay for employees.

National Public Radio estimates projected losses in the next two year to reach between $40 million to $53 million. They've announced pay cuts and furloughs will take place within the company, though no employee making under $80,000 will be included in the pay cuts.

Newspapers across the country have halted print because of financial strains during the pandemic.

Late in 2019 Gannett and GateHouse merged, becoming the largest newspaper chain in the country.

In April, the company laid off and furloughed staff positions at multiple newspapers. It is unclear if the decision was related to the pandemic.

This week, we are talking about how the pandemic has affected the news industry and coverage.

You can follow us on Twitter @NoonEdition or join us on the air by calling in at 812-855-0811 or toll-free at 1-877-285-9348. You can also send us questions for the show at news@indianapublicmedia.org.

Note-This week of our guests and hosts will participate remotely to avoid risk of spreading infection. Because of this we will not be able to take callers live on-air.

Our Guests

Stephen Key, Hoosier State Press Association executive director

Al Tompkins, Poynter Institute senior faculty

Max Jones, Tribune-Star editor

Katrice Hardy, Indianapolis Star executive editor, Gannett Midwest regional editor

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