One Plus One Equals Three

Edition Ten

Reporters covering the George Floyd protests across the US have faced ‘unacceptable’ violence, according to BBC. Of the more than 100 ‘press freedom violations’, approximately 90 cases involve attacks (mostly from police) including tear gas, rubber bullets and pepper spray.

Leading online news website, Stuff is New Zealand-owned once again, following its purchase by Stuff CEO Sinead Boucher for $1. Here at One Plus One, we’re particularly pleased with this outcome as we collaborated with them last year and more recently supported the launch of their donation mechanism that runs across all its digital assets.
This follows months of negotiations with NZME, which withdrew its application to the Commerce Commission to purchase the company last week, after the High Court declined to grant an interim injunction.
The always insightful Spinoff Editor, Duncan Greive, penned this profile piece on the Stuff purchase, where he proposes a new era for independent media flourishing in New Zealand.

Despite the growing demand on news outlets during the global pandemic, reductions in advertising revenue continue to threaten the print media model both internationally and domestically.
Another mass layoff is a further blow to the industry, with MediaWorks cutting 130 jobs in their sales, out-of-home and radio division.
As part of the Government’s $50 million package to help the media industry, Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage (MCH) will spend up to $9 million in advertising to fill the vacant slots in local media.

So with decreased traditional media advertising, how are businesses getting in front of their key audiences during these times? A couple of weeks ago, Newshub reported on a Facebook group which connects consumers and local businesses nationwide.
With the sharp rise in online audiences in New Zealand during Covid-19, social media is becoming an even more prevalent tool for businesses to connect to customers.
AUT’s Centre for Journalism, Media and Democracy (JMAD) recently released a report that found New Zealanders’ have a higher trust in local news media than international news consumers.

According to a survey on the global PR news site Provoke, international PR professionals have ranked New Zealand government’s communications response to Covid-19 the best in the world, with the USA ranking last.
Finally, in the ongoing growth of artificial intelligence, The Guardian reported that Microsoft recently sacked dozens of journalists, opting to fill their MSN website and Edge browser with AI generated stories.

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