May 19, 2022

■ 'NPR is maintaining a very strict mask policy, and has set up an HR tip line for employees to report on colleagues who are not adhering to guidelines—with the possible result of discipline and even termination. This is from a memo sent out today' (Dylan Byers)

■ Jen Psaki reveals one reason Biden White House has avoided feuding with Fox News: Trump (Mediaite)  

■ Pete Williams to retire from NBC News after epic Washington career (Washington Post) / 'Here’s NBC News Prez. Noah Oppenheim on Pete Williams’ exit: “In Pete we trust.”' (Ben Mullin) / 'Quite a tribute from @SenJohnBarrasso : “He could have been the governor. He could have been the senator. He was capable of doing anything he would have wanted, and he was very, very well-liked.”' (David Shepardson) / ‘It’s not possible to be more universally loved among one’s colleagues than this guy, NBC people start beaming when anyone asks what he’s like to work with. The nicest dude.’ (Benjy Sarlin) / 'To our viewers, please join us in thanking Pete for an extraordinary record of excellence, fairness and service to the public through his superb reporting. He is beloved by us for his goodness and admired for his mastery. THANK YOU.' (Kelly O'Donnell)

■ The media keep saying voters don’t care about the mounting threats against their freedoms. That’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. (The Atlantic) / Social media platforms and voting: Do registration efforts actually work? (Teen Vogue) / Facebook is already behind on 2022 midterm misinformation strategy, critics say (Washington Post) 

■ A fake Twitter account posing as CBS News shared false information about the Buffalo shooting (Poynter) / Twitter unveils ‘crisis misinformation policy’ to slow down viral tweets (Axios)

■ Colorado Rockies TV reporter Kelsey Wingert recovering after being struck in head by foul ball (USA TODAY)

■ Host fired by South Dakota public broadcasting appeals dismissal (Current) / Trans reporter alleges wrongful firing by South Dakota Public Radio (Advocate) 

■ Hello, I’m a journalist. Can we talk? (New York Times) 

■ Why won't some people pay for news? (Nieman Journalism Lab) 

■ Can journalism get ahead of the Metaverse? (RJI) / The enduring afterlife of a mass shooting's livestream online (New York Times)

Press Freedom

■ Israeli military ID's gun that may have killed journalist (AP via ABC) / Israel arrests Al Jazeera reporter's pallbearer, probe into killing 'ongoing' (AFP via Al-Monitor) / Israeli lawmaker resigns from ruling coalition, citing journalist’s killing (Washington Post) 

■ Female Afghan TV journalists describe a 'psychological prison' amid Taliban order to cover their faces on air (CNN) / Afghan Taliban order women TV anchors to cover their faces (AP via thederrick.com) 

■ The triumph of Marcos dynasty disinformation is a warning to the US (The New Yorker)

Join the National Press Club Journalism Institute for “My First FOIA: Open records are for everyone” to learn what government records you have a right to and how to request them. Whether you’re a journalist, student, parent, community activist, teacher, business owner, or taxpayer, you will learn how to request public records that can help you in your personal and professional life. 

Registration is open for this program, which will take place tomorrow, May 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET.

Participants will learn: 

• Why an individual might file a FOIA or open records request
• The types of public records that exist 
• When you should rely on a FOIA or open records request, and other ways to find information
• How to file an open records request
• How to interpret the information you receive

“Relationships are what’s going to move the needle on complex social issues. Public media stations, using community-engaged journalism approaches, can uniquely situate ourselves to be the bridge that listens to community members ... and help ensure their voices are heard by decision-makers and the wider public.”

-- jesikah maria ross, CapRadio’s senior community engagement strategist, “From sources to co-creators: Innovations in participatory journalism”