🌐 Protocols > Big Tech

Hello! Here’s what’s in this week’s issue:

» Protocols > Big Tech

» LMC announces micropayment partner

» MuckRock secures grant to offer tools to newsrooms

» Gannett strikes deal with Perplexity

» How local newsrooms are building chatbots quickly

» Innovation, collaboration crucial for the future of local news

» LION members eligible for $100,000 growth grants

🌐 Protocols > Big Tech

Nieman Lab reports on the inaugural Protocols for Publishers event, a gathering of journalists and tech industry workers, to explore building an internet that supports publishers through decentralized, interoperable standards, focusing on protocols like the AT Protocol rather than centralized platforms. The idea is to create a future where publishers retain control and flexibility, enabling them to connect directly with audiences without being tied to Big Tech’s rules.

💸 LMC announces micropayment partner

Digital micropayment platform Supertab and the Local Media Consortium (LMC) have partnered up to offer local news publishers a microtransaction based “pay as you go” model. The solution aims to boost revenue and engagement amid subscription fatigue and the rise of AI driven content scraping.

🛠️ MuckRock secures grant to offer tools to newsrooms

MuckRock has secured a Knight Foundation grant that expands access for newsrooms of all sizes to three powerful tools: Datasette Cloud for data exploration, Plucky Wire for self run newswires, and Sunlight Research Center for deep reporting support and training. This initiative builds on MuckRock's existing toolkit to empower independent and local journalists with the infrastructure and resources they need to report more effectively.

🤝 Gannett strikes deal with Perplexity

Gannett's USA TODAY Network has entered an AI content licensing agreement with Perplexity bringing its journalism from over 200 local markets into Perplexity’s AI powered search tools. In return, Gannett will gain access to Perplexity’s Sonar API and Enterprise Pro platform, along with advertising revenue sharing opportunities.

🤖 How local newsrooms are building chatbots quickly

Local newsrooms are racing to build AI chatbots using affordable tools like OpenAI’s GPT-4o and Meta’s LLaMA, deploying them in weeks, not months. These bots are answering reader questions, translating government jargon, and extending the reach of small teams without big budgets.

📰 Innovation, collaboration crucial for the future of local news

A new report claims that local news can survive, but only through innovation, reinvention, and collaborative models. It spotlights successful efforts including nonprofit startups, university supported bureaus, philanthropist backed rescues, and community powered initiatives like Signal Cleveland’s “documenters.” Read more

💰 LION members eligible for $100,000 growth grants

LION Publishers, with support from the MacArthur Foundation, is offering 15 Growth Grants of $100,000 each to its member newsrooms, aimed at turning Sustainability Audit recommendations into real, transformative action. Grants will be disbursed in two equal payments across 2026 and 2027. Apply here from August 15 to September 26, 2025.

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