Follow the money (straight to the marketing middleman)
By JACI CLEMENT // The money has moved. Again. About 20 years ago, Google changed the economics of information. In effect, it became the middleman between you and the source…
Fair Media Council
No. 1084: On superfluous popsicles, Chinese retailers and pierced lobes, with a major soccer score for LI
School’s open! (See you next week): Welcome to Wednesday, dear readers, and not just any Wednesday but the first Wednesday of September – and the first day of the…
Finally, slowly, accountability comes for social media
By JACI CLEMENT // Two cases. One topic: Accountability. The landmark settlement with Meta – reached without Meta admitting wrongdoing – has the Internet on fire, and rightly so. Meta agreed to…
No. 1076: On Cockapoos, Idlewild and senior housing, with jelly beans in hand and news integrity on the ropes
Fit to a T: Top of the morning, troops, as we towel off the torrential rains and tie up another trying workweek, with a tantalizing Summer weekend on tap….
The real cost of pay-to-play news coverage is trust
By JACI CLEMENT // Real news coverage isn’t for sale. I was reminded of the issue – again – when it came up at a recent FMC event. The proliferation…
No. 1066: We spell it out for you with FM radio, the FMC awards, the original GOP, the first SATs and M.C. Escher
Getting there (is half the fun?): Welcome to Wednesday, dear readers, as we hurdle the last hump of Spring 2026. Summer officially begins this weekend in our lovely Northern…
No. 1060: The berries are fresh, the crisis is managed and Cronkite is on the air (but not CBS News Radio)
Pardon the interruption: Welcome to Wednesday, dear readers, as we hurdle the hump and hustle toward a glorious three-day weekend. With the unofficial start of Summer 2026 just days…
In crisis management, the end of the ‘Golden Hour’
By JACI CLEMENT // One of the best illustrations of how disconnected organizations, communities and the news media have become is through the lens of time. Time means something different…
No. 1049: On homeopathy, patent protections and a slow start for “Gatsby,” with big breaks for bagel barons
Splashdown: Welcome to Friday, brave socioeconomic explorers, as we complete another stellar five-day socioeconomic mission. Nobody deserves a relaxing weekend more than you (except maybe the intrepid crew of…
No. 1048: We love animals (but not zoos), AI classes (for non-computer students) and empanadas (all kinds!)
On the bright side: Welcome to Wednesday, dear readers, as we hit the pause button on international war crimes, domestic affordability crises, mad dictators, complicit lawmakers, Medicaid mayhem, vacationing…
FMC survey: Keep your opinions out of my news
By GREGORY ZELLER // A public poll circulated by Long Island’s top media watchdog reveals a striking contradiction among regional news consumers, who deeply value professional journalism – but don’t…
No. 1043: Evil ETs, quantum entanglements, the debut of ‘Uncle Tom’ and plenty of other stories worth telling
Sprung: Welcome to Friday, intrepid innovators, and depending on what time you’re reading this, welcome to Spring! Yes, after a Winter for the weather books here on Long Island…
No. 1042: Repeating history, mourning a dear friend and welcoming Jody Fisher (we love that guy)!
Let’s dance: Welcome to Wednesday, dear readers, as we penetrate the defenses of another tough workweek, set up our best shots and hustle to finalize our NCAA Men’s Basketball…
Recognizing familiar patterns as AI enters the workforce
By JACI CLEMENT // Artificial intelligence entering the workforce feels like déjà vu all over again. Remember when computers were supposed to revolutionize the world? Free humankind to spend less…
No. 1029: On blizzards (potential), handwriting (forgotten) and budgets (executive), with pie (warm)
Blizzard condition: Welcome to Friday, friends, and not just any Friday but the Friday before what could be the biggest Long Island snowstorm since Winter Storm Izzy (a.k.a. the…