The Latest: 'She’s not clarifying anything!'; Journalism’s 15-year outlook; Recraft newsroom systems before a crisis

January 21, 2022

■ What’s the deal with this NPR-Supreme Court story ? (Poynter) / NPR 'founding mother' Nina Totenberg unloads on public editor Kelly McBride over SCOTUS story 'clarification' (Daily Beast)

■ ‘The Jan. 6 committee just received hundreds of pages of Donald Trump's White House records — a major breakthrough for the panel's investigation. Trump lost a three-month court battle to keep these records shielded.’ (Congress Minutes) / Read the never-issued Trump order that would have seized voting machines (POLITICO) / Sean Hannity told Trump after Jan. 6: 'No more stolen election talk ' (New York Times)

■ What the Joe Rogan podcast controversy says about the online misinformation ecosystem (NPR)

■ Opinion: Sarah Palin v. NYT: Exploring the line between bad journalism and libelous journalism (Washington Post) / ‘FYI, here are the proposed voir dire questions from Sarah Palin's lawyers for the upcoming Palin v. NYT case in SDNY.’ (Erik Wemple)

■ ‘FYI: Tori Yorgey is OK and, when she starts at WTAE on Feb. 1, wants to be known for her reporting , not for getting hit by a car on live TV. “I want them to look at me and say, ‘That’s Tori Yorgey, who’s going to tell stories that will leave an impact” ’ (Joshua Axelrod) / Reporter hit by car in live shot ‘thanked her “WSAZ family” ’ (WSAZ NewsChannel 3) / ‘Solo live shots should be a thing of the past! Next to a door-knock, one of the most dangerous things a reporter can do is a live shot ! Let's look at safety proactively VS reactively.’ (Chris Post) / Live shot safety video (journalistsafety.com)

■ ‘... For the Winter Games in Beijing, “Today” is not going on the road . Craig Melvin will anchor from the host city but the rest of the morning show will remain in NYC.’ (Brian Stelter)

■ As Afghanistan starves, the pundit class turns away (Columbia Journalism Review)

■ LGBTQ students deserve a voice. Here's how education reporters cover them . (Poynter)

■ ‘It says here that the New York Times never referred to Meat Loaf as “Mr. Loaf” on second reference. Rest In Peace. Fact or fiction? Some favorite newsroom myths.’ (Steve Klamkin)

Press freedom

■ Is City Hall's 'document deleting ' cause for alarm? (San Francisco Examiner)

■ ‘RTDNA Region Director Melissa Luck testified before the Washington House of Representatives against House Bill 1408 , which would prohibit the public release of 911 call recordings and transcripts.’ (RTDNA)

■ Hong Kong media and the closures of Stand News and Citizen News : where do the rest go from here? (South China Morning Post)

■ Greece: Concern over criminal charges against investigative reporters (EFJ)

Register now to join a panel of experts for an hour-long discussion on the national trends and issues in law enforcement coverage; how to localize stories; and what journalists can do to unearth hidden records. Participants will learn:

How to find sources for records disclosure laws in your state, including understanding how to ensure that the law enforcement agencies you cover are complying with disclosure laws and regulations
What to do if law enforcement agencies refuse to disclose anything, citing pending investigations
How to find records involving police misconduct
Story ideas for covering law enforcement
How to get help when you are stonewalled

“What is the most important thing in writing? Well, folks, I'm going to tell you this. It's not structure. It's not style. It's not voice. It's not grammar. It's not syntax. It's not even the words themselves. The most important thing in writing is the meaning . The message. The idea. The point. That's the most important thing in writing. The thing you are trying to convey: The what?”

-- Steve Padilla, writing coach and Los Angeles Times Column One Editor, from NPCJI workshop on writing tips

Pro Tips: Writing Refresh (Re-energize your writing ... and your love for it)

Managers: It's time for a systems check

Any activity that involves multiple people, the transfer of knowledge and information, and the act of decision-making is a system. We often inherit them and stay bound up in them because it takes work to analyze and change them.

Check yours for expediency, equity, and effectiveness.

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that in a crisis, we can recraft our systems to meet the moment. But we need not wait for a crisis to examine other systemic changes.

-- Jill Geisler, Bill Plante Chair in Leadership & Media Integrity at Loyola University Chicago and Freedom Forum Fellow in Women’s Leadership

Get more career advice: Read Jill's columns | Watch Manager's Minute videos

Resources

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.