Media Insider: Facebook Tests Writer Partnerships, Venture Resurrects Anti-Slavery Magazine

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

AXIOS | SARA FISCHER
Facebook Explores Paid Deals for New Publishing Platform

Facebook will soon begin testing partnerships with a small group of independent writers for its new publishing platform, sources tell Axios. The platform includes tools for journalists to build actual websites and newsletters. Facebook plans to pay some of the writers to help get the tools off the ground. The platform, which has yet to be officially named, is free to use and will be integrated with Facebook Pages. The integration will allow writers, journalists, and other types of professional experts to publish content outside of text, like live videos and “Stories” status updates. Facebook plans to build tools within the platform that allow writers to monetize their websites and newsletters with subscriptions. It could also include other forms of revenue down the line.

In more Facebook news, a new bill could allow news publishers to collectively negotiate with the technology giant.

NPR | RACHEL TREISMAN
Venture Aims to ‘Resurrect and Reimagine’ Anti-Slavery Newspaper for the 21st Century

The Boston Globe and Boston University Center for Antiracist Research are partnering to launch The Emancipator, a resurrection of an early 19th-century abolitionist newspaper. They hope it will reframe the national conversation to “hasten racial justice.” The Emancipator plans to launch online later this year. It’s currently seeking two co-editors in chief to be based at the Boston Globe and Boston University. The publication will produce original opinion and ideas journalism, featuring contributions from experts and community voices captured by student journalists. It will operate out of a hybrid newsroom and keep its content free to the public with the help of philanthropic funding.

Also launching: The New Yorker Live, a new event series featuring conversations with “some of the most influential figures in politics, art and culture.”

INSIDE RADIO | STAFF WRITER
Colin Cowherd’s New Podcast Network Teams With Action Network

The Volume, the sports-focused podcast network created by Fox Sports Radio’s Colin Cowherd in partnership with iHeartMedia, has reportedly struck a content deal with the sports betting media company Action Network. Under the deal, The Volume will relaunch its flagship podcast “The Favorites” as part of The Volume. Action Network Chief Content Officer Chad Millman will continue to host “The Favorites” and will appear on The Colin Cowherd Podcast to discuss sports betting. Other Action Network staffers will also work with podcasts produced by The Volume.

Read next: Front Office Sports rebrands as FOS, expects profitability.

MEDIAPOST | RAY SCHULTZ
McClatchy Sets up Opinion Advisory Boards to Drive Commentary on Local Topics

McClatchy is pumping up its local opinion journalism by creating advisory boards for 12 of its titles. The advisors from the local communities will recommend topics for editorials and opinion pieces. The move follows the naming of Peter St. Onge as McClatchy opinion editor. He takes over from Colleen McCain Nelson, recently appointed editor of the Sacramento Bee. McClatchy featured opinion sections in some of its titles, but other sections are led by teams that oversee opinion content across multiple publications in the same region.

ICYMI: An unexpected white knight emerges for Tribune Publishing.

DIGIDAY | KAYLEIGH BARBER
How Publishers Are Finding Audiences on Clubhouse

The more users there are on Clubhouse, the more opportunity there is for publishers to try and engage with audiences on yet another platform. In February, the founders of the audio-based social media platform announced that despite still being in beta, the app is hosting 10 million weekly active users, according to a report by CNBC. Now publishers in the lifestyle, business, and finance spaces are flocking to Clubhouse to meet audiences where they are, while also testing out ways to potentially monetize the platform in the near future.

Amid growing competition, Clubhouse is also launching an accelerator program.

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Maria Perez is director of web operations at Cision. In her spare time, she enjoys kickboxing, baking, and cuddling with her dog Toody.