Hello and welcome to this month’s edition of Scoop, the San Francisco Press Club’s monthly newsletter.
The Bay Area’s journalism landscape continues to evolve, with new newsroom expansions, significant shifts in radio broadcasting, and ongoing discussions about the role of journalism in an era of political and technological change. This month, we highlight local media movements, student journalism achievements and industry shifts shaping the region.
Questions, feedback, or want to flag an item for our next edition? Reach the editors at scoop@sfpressclub.org.
Now, on to the news…
MEDIA NEWS
UC Berkeley walked away from a major Google partnership. The university declined to host a $125 million initiative between California state officials and Google meant to fund local newsrooms. Citing concerns over fund allocation and decision-making authority, UC Berkeley’s withdrawal has left the state looking for a new institution to take the lead.
Big changes are coming for KALW. The 83-year-old NPR member station is moving into the historic Warfield Building in San Francisco’s Mid-Market neighborhood. Thanks to a partnership with the Community Arts Stabilization Trust (CAST), the $7.3 million space will soon become Warfield Commons, a new hub for arts and journalism.
SFGATE is on a major growth streak. The Bay Area news site now has 60 journalists across 23 cities, making it one of the largest newsrooms on the West Coast. Under Editor-in-Chief Grant Marek, who has led the team since 2019, the platform has significantly expanded its reach and coverage.
Press freedom is facing new challenges. At a recent panel hosted by KALW and SPJ NorCal, journalists and media experts tackled the growing threats to press freedom under the Trump administration. Discussions covered digital harassment, government surveillance, legal battles, and the strategies journalists are using to stay transparent and protect public trust.
EVENTS
February 18 — How to Pitch Your Business to the Press. NEON presents a workshop aimed at helping entrepreneurs effectively communicate their business stories to the media. The session will be held at NEON in San Francisco.
February 27 — AI Agenda Live. Hosted by The Information, this event will tackle pressing questions in the AI industry, featuring discussions with founders, investors, and scientists shaping the field. It will be held in San Francisco.
JOBS
MyHealthTeam is looking for freelance writers who are skilled at taking complex medical information and distilling it into easily accessible articles for readers. ($75 – $350/article)
The Academy of Art University is looking for an Online Editor in San Francisco. This role involves collaborating with instructors and media producers to create video content for online classes. ($68,640)
CBS News is seeking a Production Assistant in San Francisco, CA. The role includes supporting news production and assisting with various tasks to ensure smooth broadcast operations. ($18.67 per hour)
This month’s Scoop was written by Curtis Sparrer and edited by Dan Rosenheim. Interested in sponsoring a future edition? Get in touch at board@sfpressclub.org
This month’s Scoop was written by Curtis Sparrer and edited by Dan Rosenheim. Interested in sponsoring a future edition? Get in touch at board@sfpressclub.org