Media Insider: Minority-Journalism Group Struggling, New York Times Runs First Front Page Editorial Since 1920

Welcome to Media Insider, PR Newswire’s round up of journalism, blogging and freelancing stories from the week.

Source: orb_cz under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

New York Times Runs Front Page Editorial for the First Time Since 1920 (New York Times)

The intense gun debate recently landed a front page editorial in the New York Times. The newspaper rarely runs editorials on its front page; the last time it did this was 1920. NYT is calling for greater regulation on guns in the aftermath of a spate of mass shootings. Publisher Arthur Sulzberger Jr. said the paper wanted “to deliver a strong and visible statement of frustration and anguish about our country’s inability to come to terms with the scourge of guns.”

Why The Country’s Largest Minority-Journalism Group May Close (Huffington Post)

The future looks pretty bleak for the National Association of Black Journalists, which is celebrating its 40^th anniversary. As a news person, this news especially bites. Last year, NABJ ran a deficit of $227,000 and this year, it reportedly expects to end 2015 even deeper in the red. HuffPo reports NABJ has slashed operating expenses, eliminated some staff positions, and is considering closing its office in College Park, MD to begin operating in a virtual capacity.

Sinclair Acquired and Will Relaunch Mobile News Site Circa (The Wall Street Journal)

TV station owner Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. has purchased and plans to relaunch mobile news site Circa. The Wall Street Journal reports Sinclair has hired John Solomon, formerly the vice president for content and business development for The Washington Times, to lead the effort as chief creative officer. Solomon said he plans to hire 70 journalists to do original reporting, in addition to having access to video feeds from the 172 television stations that Sinclair owns and runs. Missed the news release? View it here.

Cameron Barr Upped to Washington Post Managing Editor (FishbowlDC)

Because I’m a sucker for my hometown newspaper, I bring you the news that Washington Post national editor Cameron Barr has been named managing editor for news and features. Barr embraces The Post’s digital aspirations, says exec editor Martin Baron. Barr takes the spot left open by Kevin Merida, who left the Post in October to join ESPN as senior vice president and editor in chief of The Undefeated, reports FishbowlDC.

Yahoo will Keep its Alibaba Stake and Separate the Company (Mashable)

Yahoo says it’s scrapping its original plan to spin off its prized stake in China’s Alibaba Group and will instead explore breaking off the rest of its business into a new company, Mashable reports. The change of heart comes after Yahoo’s board met to review the proposed Alibaba spin off, as well as CEO Marissa Mayer’s stalled attempts to turn around one of the Internet’s best-known companies, Mashable says.

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Christine Cube is an audience relations manager with PR Newswire and freelance writer. Follow @cpcube or check out her latest on Beyond Bylines on PR Newswire for Journalists.