Media Insider: Bezos Gifts $1 Million to Support Press Freedom, GOP Candidate ‘Body Slams’ Reporter, Quartz Launches Trump ‘Snooze’

Welcome to Media Insider, PR Newswire’s round-up of media stories from the week.

Photo by Charis Tsevis, used under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

ADWEEK | CORINNE GRINAPOL
Jeff Bezos Gives $1 Million to Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

Jeff Bezos made a $1 million donation to the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press — the largest personal donation in its history. The funds will be used to help journalists and outlets at the state and local level, reports Adweek. Reporters Committee chairman David Boardman says the survival of local newsrooms is “every bit as crucial to American democracy as those entities headquartered in Washington and New York.”

FYI: Donations for press freedom groups spike in Trump era.

POYNTER | BENJAMIN MULLIN
Congressional Candidate Greg Gianforte Accused of ‘Body Slamming’ Reporter

GOP Congressional candidate Greg Gianforte is accused of “body slamming” a reporter. Gianforte’s statement in response to the event provides an alternative account, but an audio recording supports the accusation. Poynter reports that Guardian U.S. reporter Ben Jacobs was at a campaign event in Montana when the incident occurred. BuzzFeed’s Alexis Levinson recounted the incident via Twitter. Gianforte has since been charged with assault.

ICYMI: Media outlets rescind endorsements of the GOP candidate as the story develops.

NIEMANLAB | LAURA HAZARD OWEN
Now You Can Take a 24-Hour Trump News “Snooze” on the Quartz App

The Quartz iPhone app has a new update that lets users turn on a “24-hour political timeout” that shuts out news and notifications about President Trump. The Trump “snooze” option turns off after a day, according to NiemanLab, but Quartz editors retain the discretion to send through really important Trump-related news while the snooze is enabled.

Did you know that media companies published a record number of Trump-Russia stories last week?

COLUMBIA JOURNALISM REVIEW | GLENN H. BURKINS
Where Have All the Black Digital Publishers Gone?

Few African-American journalists are choosing to launch digital publications that present community-based journalism for black communities. According to author Glenn H. Burkins, the issue boils down to money. He also cites journalism fatigue felt by African Americans in struggling to advance in mainstream newsrooms, and a lack in entrepreneurial training, as reasons for the trend.

The Undefeated, a digital publication that reports relevant news for the African-American community, celebrated its one-year anniversary last week.

BUSINESS INSIDER | MIKE SHIELDS
Facebook is Promising to Use Its Greatest Asset to Help Media Companies Make More Money

Facebook says it wants to help media companies make more money from digital ads, and now it will allow publishers to sell ads using its data. According to Business Insider, Audience Direct helps publishers sell targeted video ads using Facebook’s demographic and location data. The product can potentially save publishers thousands of dollars in unsuccessful advertisements due to guesswork. ESPN, Hearst, A+E networks and Scripps Networks are early test partners for the product.

Exclusive: Facebook signs Buzzfeed, Vox, others for original video shows, sources say.

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Tabresha B. Langham is a Customer Content Specialist with PR Newswire. She also is a social media junkie, foodie, music fiend and Auburn University Alumn (War Eagle!). Tune into her insights as a social curator at @PRNmedia, or follow @TabreshaL.