The success of election-deniers in the Midterm Elections shows just how much work confronts us in our efforts to increase media literacy in the US. As happened in primary contests in August, candidates who promoted the Republican Party’s so-called “big lie” that the 2020 election was stolen did well again, although the anticipated red wave did not appear to have … [Read more...] about As most trusted news sources, local outlets can do more to promote media literacy, especially around elections
To paywall or not? Young readers provide the answer
A few years ago, while preparing to teach a copy editing course for the first time, I stumbled across a hidden gem in The New York Times digital edition: Copy Edit This!, an interactive quiz that tests readers on grammar and word usage errors from recent Times articles. The Times’s standards editor catches the errors and then explains why they are wrong. Here is an example … [Read more...] about To paywall or not? Young readers provide the answer
Journalism educators need to up their game to stay relevant in their own changing industry
For a decade now, I have been teaching journalism without officially having left the business. I keep one foot in journalism because I cannot imagine life without it, which sounds admittedly old-fashioned and also is something I cannot teach. Nor is it necessarily practical. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts journalism jobs will decline by 4.8% by 2030. It’s … [Read more...] about Journalism educators need to up their game to stay relevant in their own changing industry
New democracy editor position at Associated Press should be model for all newsrooms
By Jackie Spinner The Associated Press recently announced that it was creating a new position for a “democracy editor.” It tapped a long-time AP veteran and state government editor for the position. When Tom Verdin, who is in Sacramento, steps into the new role, he will oversee coverage of stories about voting rights and election processes. In making the decision, … [Read more...] about New democracy editor position at Associated Press should be model for all newsrooms
Rethinking culture that encourages journalists to be ‘vultures’ when reporting on mass shooting
In the immediate aftermath of the killings at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, journalists tried to piece together exactly what happened, talking to parents, teachers and young witnesses of the horrific violence that unfolded inside a 4th grade classroom. It’s what we do as journalists, and unfortunately, many of us are experienced at it, no matter where we live. Every … [Read more...] about Rethinking culture that encourages journalists to be ‘vultures’ when reporting on mass shooting