The Latest: Gannett’s ‘brutal’ new cuts; Who talks to pollsters?; Wildlife photog of the year

October 12, 2022

■ ‘ “We had to get to work ”: When investigative reporter Jeff German was found dead outside his Las Vegas home, his colleagues were shocked — but say they jumped into “action mode” and helped find his suspected killer.’ (CBS Mornings) / Inside account: Murdered Las Vegas reporter's colleagues chased clues as they grieved (CBS News) / Judge keeps slain Vegas reporter’s files protected , for now (Associated Press)

■ Opinion: I’ve been an investigative reporter for years. Here’s why local journalism still matters . (San Diego Union-Tribune)

■ Milwaukee newspaper calls Johnson ‘the worst Wisconsin political representative ’ since McCarthy (The Hill)

■ If Trump runs again, do not cover him the same way : A journalist’s manifesto (Washington Post) / The news media’s ‘Democracy beats' won’t beat back autocracy (Just Security)

■ Kentucky newspaper offers reward for evidence of vote buying (WKYT)

■ NBC News reporter addresses critics accusing her of ableism in Fetterman interview: We did not ‘comment on his fitness for office’ (Mediaite) / NBC reporter called out for ‘nonsense’ treatment of Pennsylvania Senate candidate John Fetterman (The Wrap) / Reporter who profiled John Fetterman refutes claim that he has comprehension issues from stroke: 'Nonsense' (People) / 'As he continues to recover, John Fetterman used technology to help him answer a reporter’s questions. How we as journalists frame this reveals more about us than it does him.' (Connie Schultz)

■ Who in the world is still answering pollsters’ phone calls ? (New York Times)

■ Amid conflict and distrust, The Associated Press sticks to ‘good, solid, fact-based journalism ’ (Poynter)

■ CNN reveals name, start date for new morning show (AP) / Earlier: CNN’s morning plan will face a.m. scramble (Variety)

■ Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson is now a sideline photographer with an incredible dead bird logo (SB Nation) / Raiders' Davante Adams charged with misdemeanor assault after shoving photographer (CBS Sports)

■ Ball of buzzy bees helps American win Wildlife Photographer of the Year (Washington Post)

■ Elsie who? At one time, millions read Elsie Robinson's columns . (Washington Post) / Resource: ‘Listen, World!’: Women’s voices in the news , then and now (NPCJI)

Press freedom

■ Alex Jones was ordered to pay nearly $1 billion to the families of eight Sandy Hook victims and an F.B.I. agent. (New York Times) / 'In the end, this may be one of the surest ways to curb misinformation and disinformation ; stop making it profitable.' (Eric Deggans) / Earlier: Facts in a Time of Fiction: Reporting the truth amid lies and disinformation (NPCJI)

■ ‘For those who have asked: Early Sunday, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor sent this legal threat trying to stop Los Angeles Times journalists from publishing the racist comments made by top L.A. officials inside federation offices. I’ve asked the federation whether it has changed its position on the leak itself.’ (Matt Pearce)

■ Federal court leaders agree to refund fees for online records (Washington Post)

■ In Afghanistan, the few foreign journalists who remain need lots of permits , and even more patience (Deadline)

■ Myanmar court hands Japanese journalist 3 more years in jail (Associated Press via ABC News)

Upcoming program on Covering Food Insecurity: Access, hunger, and empathetic reporting about a basic need. Click for more details.

Most people know what it is to get hungry. But persistent hunger and a lack of access to convenient and affordable healthy foods is something much more, disproportionately affecting communities already underrepresented in news coverage. Food insecurity can be difficult for journalists to cover consistently because of its seeming invisibility.

Join the National Press Club Journalism Institute at 11:30 a.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 21 for a discussion via Zoom about what journalists can cover at the intersection of food access, community impact, and systemic racism.

“Writing is about research—but research is another way to engage your natural curiosity . It’s this curiosity, this desire to ‘find out’ that I believe is at the core of every writer’s craft. And that terrible time-suck, the internet, which we (rightly) fault for our increasingly fragmented society and attention spans, can also be a wonderful tool for taking a deep dive into a subject. It can be a rewarding tool for feeding our curiosity about the world, and an important—even, I would argue, essential—instrument in every world-building writer’s toolbox.”

-- Ray Nayler, author, “How to dive with octopuses from 5,000 miles away: An unlikely craft essay”

When a new boss starts and you're not sure whether you're on the same page...

1. Don’t assume a new boss knows your strengths, skills, or history. Look for opportunities to demonstrate them all.

2. Don’t get caught up in gossip or rumors about what the new boss thinks. Be a reporter and get facts.

3. If you’re certain you can’t work for or with that manager, carefully and quietly craft an exit plan. Don’t just run from something bad; make sure you’re headed to something good

Watch next: How can a new team create a positive culture?

Jill Geisler is the Bill Plante Chair in Leadership & Media Integrity at Loyola University Chicago and Freedom Forum Fellow.

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

Event: Workplace Integrity: Do You Qualify as an Ally? (Especially Now)

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.