The Latest: Ex-LA Times reporter takes up arms; Missing Ukraine coverage; Post's mandatory office return costs them a reporter

March 10, 2022

■ Ukrainian journalist on what Western media coverage of the war is missing (Slate)

■ A Ukrainian learned his family had died after seeing viral photos : ‘I lost everyone and lost the meaning of life' (Washington Post) / ‘He felt it was important that their deaths had been recorded in photographs and video. “The whole world should know what is happening here ,” he said’ (New York Times) / ‘That mortar hit between (photojournalists) and the family. It very well could have been us,’ said photographer Lynsey Addario ‘We survived and were able to witness what happened , and The New York Times was able to publish that image. To me, that speaks to the importance of journalism. All of us journalists on the ground are trying to show the civilian (death) toll, show that civilians are being targeted. Each side will tell you what they want journalists to report. We have to see it with our own eyes.’ (ABC4) / 'We wanted to be in combat zones. We were as courageous as the men .' (New York Times)

■ Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter calls colleagues ‘bitches,’ says left overreacted to Capitol riot, as shown in Project Veritas video (New York Post) / ‘The New York Times has not commented on the Project Veritas videos of reporter Matthew Rosenberg criticizing his colleagues, but it's worth remembering how Dean Baquet talked about Project Veritas and the organization's tactics when asked about it back in 2017.’ (Jeremy Barr)

■ Media companies open new offices to accommodate for growing headcounts and a new phase of the pandemic (Digiday)

■ ‘Last week was my final one at The Washington Post after four great years, the last two reporting on national labor issues. My fam relocated to CA early on in the pandemic, and the Post’s mandatory return to the DC office is this month.’ (Eli Rosenberg) / 'I question the wisdom of a mandatory return-to-office plan for a national publication in which a *labor reporter* isn’t allowed to work in California.' (Matt Pearce) / 'I like working from the office (free stuff, better desk chair, lunch options, good to see people), but the whole point of reporting is to spend most of your time interacting with people who obviously do not work in your office!' (Max Tani)

■ Virginia governors come and go, but Richmond Times-Dispatch photojournalist has captured their history for half a century (Washington Post) / Keeping vigil: National Geographic photographer says he owes his life to animals (KHQ) / NPPA announces Best of Photojournalism winners (NPPA)

■ Prosecutors agree to new DNA testing in ‘Serial’ case (New York Times)

Press Freedom

■ Accused Russian ‘spy’ is actually Basque journalist, Spanish official says (Vice)

■ The AP calls for release of freelance journalist detained for 100 days in Ethiopia (The Hill)

■ Mexico president says criticism over journalist killings is part of ‘soft coup’ (Reuters)

■ Kyrgyzstan suspends TV station , arrests director for Russia comments (VOA)

■ Imprisonment of journalists worldwide at 'record high,’ says UNESCO report (Rappler)

“Before I start the actual writing, I read through all my notes, underlining the best bits. I then decide on a one-word theme . It’s a very basic and effective method, where I boil the whole story down to only one word and organize my story from there. The word tends to have a universal resonance — things like SURVIVAL, NORMALITY, GREED, LONELINESS. It is not an angle or structure, but an overarching theme that provides a cohesive center and guides me to make good choices with my material.”

-- Line Vaaben, journalist, “Sticking a story together — and nailing the structure”

Manager's Minute: What are 3 common blind spots for managers?

Jill Geisler, Bill Plante Chair in Leadership & Media Integrity at Loyola University Chicago and Freedom Forum Fellow in Women’s Leadership, on why leaders must be aware of their blind spots.

Manager's Minute: What are three common blind spots for managers?

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Resources

In honor of Sunshine Week, expert panelists will explore the impact of government restrictions on press coverage of public schools and how to work around them. Produced by the Society of Professional Journalists and the National Press Club Journalism Institute, the discussion will offer strategies and tools to overcome these barriers.

Registration is now open for this program, which will take place on March 16 at 12:30 p.m. ET.

Panelists include:

Eva-Marie Ayala, Education Lab editor for The Dallas Morning News
Frank LoMonte, professor at the University of Florida and counsel at CNN
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO
Moderator: Delece Smith-Barrow, education editor at POLITICO

This newsletter is written & edited by the National Press Club Journalism Institute staff: Beth Francesco, Holly Butcher Grant, and Julie Moos. Send us your questions and suggestions for topics to cover.

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The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. As the non-profit affiliate of the National Press Club, the Institute powers journalism in the public interest.