I was almost 19 during my first newspaper internship in the summer of 1990. I had a driver's license, but I was an extremely inexperienced, fearful driver. For good reason — I was bad at it. I had actually failed my driving test once, which takes some doing. When I was assigned my first story at what was then the Roanoke Times and World-News, I asked, "how will I get there?” … [Read more...] about ‘I learned how to drive this summer’
Opinion
June 4, 1989
BEIJING — Dozens of Chinese college students. Children. They sought me out with their faxes in May and June, 1989, to tell me what was happening in the world’s largest public square. They knew of the Christian Science Monitor’s unbiased international reporting. They somehow knew the identity of the Monitor’s senior international … [Read more...] about June 4, 1989
Former Chicago mayor blurs line for journalism as a ‘pol on hiatus’
Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel was known for his swagger and no-nonsense management style--and also for trying to control his own narrative. In the final weeks before he left City Hall and Lori Lightfoot became mayor after an historical election, Emanuel went on a media tour to sum up his two terms in his words, refusing to tell the New York Times what advice he’d give his … [Read more...] about Former Chicago mayor blurs line for journalism as a ‘pol on hiatus’
Assange indictment bigger threat than the secrets he leaked
The indictment of Julian Assange for leaking national security secrets poses a serious challenge to the First Amendment’s protection of the right of the press to publish stories on the most important of news events. Assange is the first self-styled journalist to be charged with violating the century-old Espionage Act, an overbroad law passed in the midst of World War I … [Read more...] about Assange indictment bigger threat than the secrets he leaked
Lee’s pricing model for ‘members’ alienates longtime readers
At almost 77, my Midwestern mother has a complicated relationship with her local newspaper. For more than half her life, she’s been a daily subscriber. When she goes on vacation, she has a neighbor save the papers for her so she can go through them upon her return. She clips out obituaries and articles about people she knows in the Central Illinois town where I grew up. So … [Read more...] about Lee’s pricing model for ‘members’ alienates longtime readers