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New Survey Finds 1 in 10 US Workers are Digital Nomads: Social Contract and Policy Response Are Needed by Regulators and Corporations Alike

MBO Partners

The latest research conducted by​ MBO Partners® reveals that digital nomadism like many other social norms has evolved, faster than relevant regulation and corporate policies from a niche lifestyle to a mainstream work movement, necessitating urgent action from employers to adopt comprehensive policies now and for a change in the social contract between workers and corporations. The 2024 State of Independence Report shows that 11% of the U.S. workforce, or 18.1 million workers, now identify as digital nomads. Despite this trend, 36% of these workers operate without formal employer consent, exposing companies to significant regulatory, tax, compliance, and cybersecurity risks. As more workers aspire to this lifestyle, formal, enforceable policies become critical, enabling employers to mitigate risks and capitalize on this rapidly growing workforce segment. “Today, leading organizations know they must attract top talent to survive, including allowing workers to operate when and where they want,” said Miles Everson, CEO of MBO Partners. “Implementing formal policies to track and engage with remote and nomadic workers should be considered standard practice. In this case, policies aren’t restrictive, they help attract the most in-demand workers while reducing potential legal, regulatory, and IT risks. At the same time today’s social contract is outdated and needs to be changed to reflect the reality of workers’ rights and to properly align work arrangements to reduce the regulatory burden on corporate America." Key trend insights revealed in this year’s study include: Digital Nomadism has evolved from niche to normal. The 2024 report reveals that more than one in ten workers is now a digital nomad, reflecting a 4.7% increase from the previous year and a remarkable 147% growth since 2019. Digital nomads now constitute 11% of the U.S. workforce, reflecting that this way of working is now the new normal for independent workers and traditional employees alike. Structured digital nomad programs are win-win for employers and workers alike. As digital nomadism becomes more prevalent, employers recognize the benefits of implementing these programs for talent acquisition and internal compliance with tax, legal and security policies. Digital nomads are ambassadors for work-life balance. Digital nomads often serve as ambassadors for their companies, showcasing the attractive work-life balance that employers of choice can offer. By aligning work projects with employees’ travel plans, companies can create a win-win situation where both productivity and employee satisfaction are maximized. This alignment not only enhances the employee experience but also fosters a positive and dynamic company culture. ‘Slomading’ and ‘Tethered Nomading’ trends strengthen social connections. Four in ten (40%) of digital nomads plan to spend more time in the U.S. next year, both due to the increasing complexities of travel and because they may have some in-office requirements. In fact, 51% plan to travel exclusively within the U.S., up from 42% in 2022. Digital nomads visit fewer locations but spend more time at each stop, a trend known as “slomading.” This approach provides a more active social life, reduces travel stress, and improves work productivity and relational diversity. Hidden corporate digital nomads create risks. Digital nomads with traditional jobs can leave their employers vulnerable to regulatory, tax, compliance, and legal risks. Despite these risks, few organizations have formal digital nomad policies. Many digital nomads work under informal agreements or without their employer’s knowledge, increasing legal and cybersecurity risks. About one-third of digital nomads with traditional jobs are “hidden,” meaning their companies are unaware of their nomadic status. Millions aspire to be digital nomads. In 2024, 21 million workers expressed a desire to become digital nomads, with 45 million considering it. This shows a significant interest in the lifestyle, despite only 7% to 9% of these aspirants becoming digital nomads. This data highlights a ready pool of potential digital nomads to fuel the trend’s continued future growth. To obtain a copy of the 2024 MBO Partners Digital Nomad research brief, please visit https://www.mbopartners.com/state-of-independence/digital-nomads About MBO Partners®​ MBO Partners is a direct sourcing platform that enables enterprises and independents to work efficiently together. Its unmatched experience and industry leadership enable it to operate at the forefront of the independent economy and consistently advance the next way of working. For more information, visit​ ​mbopartners.com. Contact Details Words For Hire PR Karen Swim, APR +1 586-461-2103 pr@mbopartners.com MBO Partners Michelle (Mick) Lee, Chief Administrative Officer mlee@mbopartners.com Company Website https://mbopartners.com

August 20, 2024 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Four FeganScott Attorneys Named Among 2025 Best Lawyers in America and “Ones to Watch”

FeganScott

FeganScott is proud to announce that Elizabeth Fegan and Timothy Scott, managing partners of the firm, have been named to the 2025 Best Lawyers in America rating guide, and attorneys Jonathan Lindenfeld and Megan Shannon to the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America list. The annual Best Lawyers guide is one of the most respected publications in the legal industry, and for the third consecutive year, Elizabeth Fegan has been recognized in the Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs category for her advocacy on behalf of consumers who’ve been wronged, physically and financially, by defective products. Timothy Scott joined her in the guide, marking his fourth consecutive year of being recognized for his expertise in personal injury litigation. “It’s fulfilling to see our attorneys ranked among the top legal talent in the nation,” said Fegan. “As we celebrate FeganScott’s fifth anniversary this year, a particular point of pride is the team we’ve built – a sentiment we’re proud to see is shared by our peers.” For the second consecutive year, Best Lawyers recognized FeganScott attorneys Jonathan Lindenfeld and Megan Shannon as Ones to Watch for their early-career success and continued excellence in their prioritized practice areas: product liability litigation for Jonathan and mass tort and class action litigation for Megan. “FeganScott is built on the notion that everyone deserves the opportunity to have their voice heard, and Jonathan and Megan do an exceptional job of carrying that forward for our clients,” added Fegan. “When it comes to taking on big industry players and holding them accountable for wrongdoing, Jonathan and Megan are passionate advocates you want on your side.” The Best Lawyers in America guide is based on rigorous peer-review surveys and client evaluations and recognizes only the top 5% of elite lawyers in the nation across 150 practice areas. Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognizes attorneys earlier in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in America. About FeganScott FeganScott is a national class action law firm dedicated to helping victims of civil rights violations, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and consumer fraud. The firm is championed by acclaimed veteran, class action attorneys who have successfully recovered $1 billion for victims nationwide. FeganScott is committed to pursuing successful outcomes with integrity and excellence while holding the responsible parties accountable. Contact Details Mark Firmani feganscottpr@firmani.com Company Website https://feganscott.com

August 15, 2024 01:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time

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USA Financial Partners with AmeriLife to Enhance Opportunities for Independent Financial Professionals

AmeriLife

AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), a national leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities, and retirement planning solutions, announced today that it has partnered with USA Financial, a national wealth management firm with three registered investment advisers (RIAs), a registered broker-dealer, and a national field marketing organization (FMO) that supports its independent financial professionals and their investors. Per the agreement, terms of the deal were not disclosed. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with AmeriLife as we head into the next era of USA Financial,” said Mike Walters, Chief Executive Officer of USA Financial. “We look forward to the new doors that this partnership will open to enhance the opportunities we can bring to the table for the financial professionals and investors we serve.” Founded in 1988 on the philosophy “plan first, invest second,” USA Financial has grown to include five distinct, subsidiary companies – USA Financial Exchange; USA Financial Formulas, USA Financial Securities, USA Financial Insurance Services, and USA Financial Advisor Advancement. Together, they deliver a comprehensive suite of products and solutions that are designed to help independent financial professionals grow their businesses, make their practices more predictable, and deliver more for their clients. A five-time Inc. 5000 honoree that has been led by the same ownership team for more than three decades, USA Financial’s longevity and success stands as a testament to its carefully crafted approach to wealth management, financial planning, integrated technology, and operational excellence. Now, as it partners with AmeriLife Wealth Group, it will have expanded access to top-flight insights, tools, and resources to further empower its affiliated financial professionals and help them take their businesses to new heights. “Bringing on an insurance-first, registered broker-dealer like USA Financial and its diversity of offerings opens up endless opportunities for our platform,” said Mike Vietri, Chief Distribution Officer of AmeriLife Wealth Group. “I look forward to working with Mike and his incredible team to further our ambitions to be the holistic, ‘integrator of choice’ for the modern financial professional.” Houlihan Lokey acted as the exclusive financial advisor to USA Financial in connection with the transaction. ### About USA Financial USA Financial is a comprehensive financial services institution, focused on providing advisors with the tools required to make solid recommendations and to empower clients to make educated and informed financial decisions. To learn more about USA Financial, please visit USAFinancial.com. About AmeriLife AmeriLife’s strength is its mission: to provide insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives. In doing so, AmeriLife has become recognized as a leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For more than 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers served through a distribution network of over 300,000 insurance agents and advisors and 120 marketing organizations and insurance agency locations nationwide. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com, and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn. Contact Details Media Jeff Maldonado media@amerilife.com Partnership Inquiries Patrick Nichols corporatedevelopment@amerilife.com Company Website https://amerilife.com/

August 15, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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AmeriLife Names Michael Tobitsch Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Development

AmeriLife

AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), a national leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities, and retirement planning solutions, announced today that Michael Tobitsch has been named Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Development. Reporting to AmeriLife’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Scott R. Perry, Tobitsch will lead the company’s corporate development efforts to source and execute acquisition opportunities, assess their strategic fit, and work closely with AmeriLife’s affiliates and partners to support the company’s growth objectives. In addition, Tobitsch will oversee innovations to the company’s affiliate onboarding processes and ensure the cultural and technical integrations for new partners is efficient and seamless. "For the last seven years, AmeriLife’s Chief Financial Officer Jim Quinn has served as an incredible steward of our corporate development efforts, overseeing a level of growth unsurpassed in AmeriLife’s 50-plus year history,” said Perry. “As our business becomes more complex and Jim’s remit continues to grow, we’re thrilled to welcome Michael and have a leader fully dedicated to AmeriLife’s expansive M&A activities. His experience and innovative approach to partnership development will undoubtedly propel our strategic initiatives forward, enhancing our ability to expand our distribution opportunities and help AmeriLife realize its growth ambitions.” “After 15 terrific years at Marsh McLennan, it’s a privilege to join Scott and the high-performing AmeriLife team to help continue their impressive growth journey,” added Tobitsch. “AmeriLife operates from a position of strength, and I look forward to helping deliver best-in-class products, solutions, and capabilities through a high-impact, programmatic acquisition agenda.” Tobitsch joins AmeriLife from global professional services company Marsh McLennan in New York. As Managing Director of the firm’s Strategy & Corporate Development group, he managed a high-performing team of investment professionals who together deployed more than $1 billion of capital annually into global acquisitions across the insurance and investment management industries. Tobitsch began his career in investment banking with Wells Fargo Securities. Tobitsch received his B.S. from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business. An avid traveler and New York Mets fan, Tobitsch resides in Connecticut with his wife and two young daughters. ### About AmeriLife AmeriLife’s strength is its mission: to provide insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives. In doing so, AmeriLife has become recognized as an industry leader in developing, marketing and distributing life and health insurance, annuities, and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For more than 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers served through a national distribution network of over 300,000 agents and financial professionals and more than 120 marketing organizations and insurance agencies. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com, and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn. Contact Details Media Jeff Maldonado media@amerilife.com Partnership Inquiries Patrick Nichols corporatedevelopment@amerilife.com Company Website https://amerilife.com/

August 13, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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NAVEX Announces 13th Annual NAVEX Next Risk & Compliance Virtual Conference

NAVEX Global

NAVEX, the global leader in integrated risk and compliance management software, today announced its thirteenth annual NAVEX Next Risk and Compliance Virtual Conference, scheduled for Thursday, September 19, 2024. One of this year’s keynote sessions will feature Cy Wakeman, a New York Times best-selling author and Global Gurus’ 2023 World’s #1 Leadership Guru, recognized for her reality-based approach to leadership. Backed by over 25 years of unparalleled experience partnering with top brands spanning all industries, Wakeman will deliver a provocative keynote on how an over-emphasis on creating employee engagement can negatively impact company performance. NAVEX Next is one of the largest risk and compliance conferences in the world, attracting over 110,000 professionals since its inception in 2012. It brings together practical guidance and best practices for industry professionals across disciplines and departments including risk management, compliance, legal, human resources/training, audit, IT, privacy, supply chain and procurement. In all, NAVEX Next 2024 features 28 session speakers representing companies such as The Coca-Cola Company, CDL Nuclear Technologies, and CBRE. The prestigious lineup will share their expertise in building ethical cultures, risk mitigation, and smart governance. The agenda features 15 sessions diving into critical challenges and opportunities compliance professionals face today. Sessions include: The EU Regulatory Survival Guide: Your Essential Guide to EU Compliance Behind the Label: Ensuring Human Rights in Your Global Supply Chain AI Governance & Risk Management Compliance Diagnostics in US Healthcare CCO 3.0: How Compliance and Risk Work in Harmony NAVEX Next will end with a keynote session by Alison Taylor, Clinical Associate Professor at NYU Stern School of Business and Executive Director of Ethical Systems, on building ethical cultures. She has spent the past two decades consulting with multinational companies on anti-corruption, human rights, and stakeholder engagement, including as a Senior Advisor at sustainability non-profit BSR, a member of the board at Venture ESG, and a Sustainability Advisor at Zai Lab, KKR, and Pictet Group. The NAVEX Next virtual conference is free of charge and open to anyone interested in expanding their knowledge and enhancing their organization’s risk and compliance programs. It offers a low-pressure environment for attendees to engage with today’s biggest GRC challenges. Click here to register and to access the full agenda and profiles of all scheduled speakers. NAVEX is the recognized leader in risk and compliance management software and services, empowering thousands of customers around the world to manage and mitigate risks with confidence. NAVEX’s mission is to help customers promote ethical, inclusive workplace cultures, protect their brands, and preserve the environment through sustainable business practices. For more information, visit NAVEX.com and our blog. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Contact Details NAVEX +1 617-388-5773 MediaRelations@navex.com Company Website https://navex.com

August 13, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Vymo Launches OnboardIQ, the First AI/Machine Driven Solution for Insurance Recruiting, Onboarding, and Compliance

Vymo, Inc.

Vymo, a leading multi-channel distribution management platform powered by AI for the global insurance industry, recently announced the launch of OnboardIQ. By leveraging AI and ML, OnboardIQ is the first complete solution designed to streamline recruiting, onboarding, and compliance, marking a swift departure from existing, outdated legacy systems. “Traditional recruitment methods are typically tedious, inefficient, and costly. But by factoring in a prospect’s skills, licensure history, and a carrier’s specific needs, OnboardIQ can generate comprehensive candidate profiles,” notes Venkat Malladi, Vymo Co-Founder and CTO. The system then scours these profiles and targets the most suitable candidates by generating campaigns on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. He adds, “no matter how much the talent pool shrinks in the coming years, with OnboardIQ, carriers will have access to top-tier, matched talent.” One carrier remarked that their biggest challenge during onboarding was the "lack of visibility." OnboardIQ addresses this issue by providing complete transparency from the moment an agent decides to start selling, through the licensing and appointment processes, all the way to completing their product training and achieving ready to sell status. Beyond recruiting and onboarding agents, OnboardIQ helps agents to live up to their full potential. For example, a carrier based in California might want to make inroads in the midwestern market. OnboardIQ will pinpoint the agents best suited for this expansion, check their existing state licenses, and guide those who need additional licenses through the acquisition process. “ This approach helps carriers get the most value from each agent, while allowing agents to maximize their commissions. The platform empowers both carriers and agents to expand their footprint,” notes Venkat Malladi. The U.S. has a uniquely intricate regulatory landscape, with varying licensing requirements across states. As legislation tightens, OnboardIQ helps prevent fines, and irreversible reputational damage by proactively—not reactively—identifying compliance issues across an entire multi-state insurance organization. Notes Malladi, “without software that can create a database of agent licenses and update them in real time as agents obtain new licenses, managing compliance becomes extremely complex.” At the core of OnboardIQ is Co-Pilot, an AI-powered, text-based personal assistant designed to answer recruiting, onboarding, and compliance questions for both agents and carriers. For example, an agent might ask Co-Pilot, “what are the pre-licensing education requirements for obtaining a health insurance license in Florida?” While a carrier might inquire, “which of my agents are due for license renewal in the next three months in New Jersey?” Co-Pilot provides accurate and easy-to-understand answers for both queries. Malladi notes, “OnboardIQ serves as a conduit for seamless interaction between carriers and agents—adapting to an era where insurance operations extend beyond local boundaries.” About Vymo® Vymo is a global provider of a smart distribution management platform powered by AI to deliver data-driven insights and transform the way your businesses operate. Meticulously crafted for insurers, MGAs, FMOs, IMOs, and insurance distributors who have outgrown legacy sales and account management tools and require greater automation for producer administration and sales processes. Vymo's platform features a suite of modular applications—including OnboardIQ and EngageIQ, and is engineered to deliver a superior producer experience through critical steps in the sales process, such as onboarding, compliance, activity tracking, and sales enablement. Vymo has secured over $45M in funding from Peak XC Partners, Emergence Capital, and Bertelsmann India Investments and is also an award winner of CB Insights' and Microsoft's 'AI for All' awards. Additional Resources: Vymo Distribution Management Platform Vymo OnboardIQ Vymo EngageIQ for Leaders Vymo EngageIQ for Sellers U.S. Media Contact: Meir Kahtan MKPR mkahtan@rcn.com +1 917-864-0800 Michael Palmisano Vice President, Marketing Vymo, Inc. 440 N Wolfe Rd. Sunnyvale, CA 94085 Web: https://getvymo.com/ Blog: https://getvymo.com/blog All other registered trademarks, or service marks belong to their respective companies. Contact Details MKPR for Vymo Meir Kahtan +1 917-864-0800 mkahtan@rcn.com Company Website https://getvymo.com/

August 13, 2024 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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AAMS/ADM e Regolamentazione del Gioco in Italia

AM Europe

Il gioco d'azzardo in Italia è un tema complesso e soggetto a una normativa rigorosa. In questo contesto, i cosiddetti "casino non AAMS" rappresentano un argomento di crescente interesse. Ma cosa sono esattamente e quali sono le implicazioni legali? Cosa sono i Casino Non AAMS? AAMS è l'acronimo di Amministrazione Autonoma dei Monopoli di Stato, l'ente governativo italiano preposto alla regolamentazione del gioco d'azzardo. I NewsDirect casino non AAMS sono, quindi, piattaforme di gioco online che operano senza la licenza rilasciata dall'AAMS. La Regolamentazione del Gioco in Italia Il panorama del gioco d'azzardo in Italia è caratterizzato da una regolamentazione severa, volta a proteggere i giocatori e contrastare il gioco illegale. L'AAMS svolge un ruolo fondamentale nel rilasciare le licenze e nel monitorare l'attività dei concessionari. Le principali caratteristiche della normativa italiana sono: Licenza obbligatoria: Ogni operatore di gioco d'azzardo deve ottenere una licenza dall'AAMS per poter operare legalmente in Italia. Tutela dei giocatori: La legge italiana prevede misure di protezione dei giocatori, come i limiti di deposito e i sistemi di autoesclusione. Lotta al gioco illegale: L'AAMS e le autorità competenti sono impegnate nella lotta contro il gioco illegale e i siti non autorizzati. I Rischi dei Casino Non AAMS Giocare su piattaforme non autorizzate comporta diversi rischi: Mancanza di garanzie: I giocatori non hanno alcuna garanzia sulla sicurezza dei loro dati personali e finanziari. Gioco illegale: Utilizzare piattaforme non autorizzate è illegale e può comportare sanzioni. Mancanza di tutela: In caso di dispute o problemi, i giocatori non hanno alcuna tutela legale. Conclusione La scelta di giocare su un casino online deve essere fatta con consapevolezza. Optare per piattaforme autorizzate dall'AAMS è fondamentale per garantire sicurezza, trasparenza e tutela dei propri diritti. Ricordiamo sempre che il gioco d'azzardo deve essere considerato un divertimento e non una fonte di reddito. È importante sottolineare che questo articolo ha carattere informativo e non costituisce consulenza legale. Per maggiori informazioni: Sito ufficiale dell'AAMS: [ adm.gov.it ] Nota bene: La normativa italiana sul gioco d'azzardo è soggetta a modifiche. Per informazioni aggiornate, consultare sempre le fonti ufficiali. Vuoi saperne di più su un argomento specifico legato al gioco d'azzardo in Italia? Contact Details Vladimiro Lorenzo +49 2735 7227 Vladimiro.l@clo.com

August 12, 2024 11:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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K3 Holdings and Alpine LA Properties Congratulate Team USA for Winning Paris Olympics Medal Count

K3 Holdings

K3 Holdings, a privately held real estate investment firm with extensive holdings throughout the United States and Alpine LA Properties, a leasing company providing newly remodeled apartments at affordable rates in Los Angeles, congratulated Team USA for their outstanding performance in the Paris Olympics. Following more than two weeks of competition and lifetimes of preparation, athletes representing the United States won 126 medals (40 gold) leading all other countries at the conclusion of the games in Paris. "Congratulations to Team USA for showcasing the true spirit of excellence and determination, bringing home the most medals and making us all proud,” stated Michael Kadisha, a Principal of K3 Holdings. "Winning the most medals is a triumph of skill and perseverance, and more so, a testament to the unity and resilience that define the American spirit. Dedication, hard work, and a never-give-up attitude leads to greatness, and we are all inspired by the performance of our athletes in Paris.” "In sports, as in life, the way we handle victory says as much about us as the victory itself. Gratitude and humility elevate every achievement. Winning with grace and losing with dignity are the hallmarks of true champions,” Michael Kadisha continued. “The K3 Holdings and Alpine teams were impressed at how Team USA proved themselves to be real winners by celebrating their victories while honoring their opponents with respect and gratitude.” The Olympics serve as a unique platform where nations from every corner of the globe come together in a spirit of friendly competition. Beyond the medals and records, the Olympics foster an environment where cultural exchange and mutual understanding thrive. In a world often divided by differences, the Olympics create a space where adversaries can engage in dialogue, learn from one another, and find common ground through shared values of sportsmanship and respect. "The Olympics is a powerful testament to how people from diverse cultures and backgrounds can come together to achieve greatness," stated Nathan Kadisha, a K3 Principal. "The actions of Olympic athletes in Paris show us that dedication, perseverance, and mutual respect transcend borders and ideologies. These are the values that can truly unite us and drive real change beyond the games." “We are excited that Los Angeles will be hosting the Olympics four years from now,” Michael Kadisha said. “By watching athletes from rival nations compete with honor and integrity, in our own community, we will once again be reminded that even in competition, there is room for cooperation, empathy, and the possibility of resolving conflicts peacefully.” ### For more information or to schedule an interview with a K3 spokesperson, please contact Dan Rene at 202-329-8357 or dan@danrene.com Contact Details K3 Holdings/Alpine LA Properties Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 dan@danrene.com Company Website https://k3holdings.com/

August 12, 2024 11:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Open Letter Demands ‘Newsroom Reset’, Pushes for Adoption of Pro-Democracy Election Coverage Guidelines

Media and Democracy Project

Today, the Media and Democracy Project (MAD), along with 3,258 individuals, sent an open letter to executives, publishers, and union leaders of major media organizations urging them to adopt pro-democracy election coverage guidelines ( PDF ) that center fact-based reporting, push back against election lies, and uplift voting. MAD’s proposed guidelines respectfully request newsrooms switch their focus from polls and drama to candidates’ policies, past-governance, and behavior. “It’s time that newsrooms start to cover elections like they matter more than sports scores,” said Brian Hansbury, cofounder of MAD. “Our democratic institutions are under attack and it’s incumbent on newsrooms to recalibrate their political coverage to adopt and adhere to practices that are pro-truth, pro-voting, and pro-democracy.” MAD’s guidelines contain 18 recommendations organized into three categories—a focus on substantive issues coverage, extensive reporting on threats to democracy, and protecting Americans against the spread of disinformation. The guidelines provide specific actions reporters and editors can take to ensure practices that help voters make informed decisions at the ballot box. They include: Prioritize substantive coverage of the issues that matter to voters' lives; Make headlines accurate and informative, not clickbait; Stop making predictions and pushing polls at the expense of issue coverage; Celebrate and uplift election workers, voters, and the election process; Don’t set aside moral judgment when covering obvious lies and bigotry; Hold politicians to account for their positions, statements, and behavior, as well as those of their party’s leader; Expose candidates who foment political violence. The open letter emphasizes how crucial it is for voters to understand what’s at stake in November and the damaging impact that election lies have already had on our democracy. For instance, lies about the 2020 election have caused a spike in death threats for election officials and poll workers, making it difficult to recruit and retain them. Half of all female state legislators are considering leaving public office due to increased intimidation. Meanwhile, Trump allies are preparing plans like Project 2025, which would harm millions of Americans and cripple our democratic system. With 3,258 signatures and counting, the letter includes signatories such as Ruth Ben-Ghiat, NYU Professor of History and author of Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present and the Lucid newsletter, who stated, "It's never been more important for news organizations to analyze the threats to U.S. democracy in clear and precise terms. Americans deserve to know the scale and nature of the challenges we face this November and beyond." The rights and freedoms that Americans cherish are at risk. As an essential pillar of democracy, journalists and the news media have a moral responsibility to inform Americans about anti-democratic extremist movements. Another signatory, Mark Jacob, former Chicago Tribune editor and author of the Stop the Presses newsletter, said, “The news media know it's their job to warn people when a hurricane is bearing down on them. But when a fascist assault on our democracy is bearing down on them, the media sometimes think it would be biased to warn people about it. That has to change before it's too late.” It’s more important than ever for journalists, editors, and their publishers to step up and put the public before profit, democracy before tyranny, and truth before lies. "Democracy is at stake–and as the open letter so powerfully demands, we need our news media to step up and be responsible,” said Norm Ornstein, political scientist and Senior Fellow Emeritus at the American Enterprise Institute. To learn more about this effort advocating for pro-democracy election coverage, and see who else signed the open letter visit MAD’s website. The Media and Democracy Project: MAD is a non-partisan, all-volunteer, grassroots organization focused on strengthening a free and independent media in the public interest. MAD aims to improve our national discourse so that American voters can engage in informed decision-making. As part of that goal, MAD has an interest in the responsibility of journalists and media to report fully, accurately, and fairly on the electoral process and the outcome of elections. Additional information is available at www.MediaAndDemocracyProject.Org. Contact Details Aaron Alberico +1 202-744-0786 aalberico@raynoravenue.com Company Website https://www.mediaanddemocracyproject.org/

August 12, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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