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
New documentary about town of Morocco in Indiana tries to tell ‘honest’ story
A few years ago I started making documentary films, which has been a new experience for this longtime newspaper reporter, with one exception really. It also is not a lucrative pursuit. I’ve done more than just traditional print over the years (decades). As a war correspondent in Iraq, I filed stories, photos and video from the field. I did online chats from the battlefield … [Read more...] about New documentary about town of Morocco in Indiana tries to tell ‘honest’ story
‘Financial hazing’ of new journalism hires ultimately hurts all of us
A journalism student about to graduate and enter the job market recently shared on social media that she was nervous about the low-pay for her first job, wages that would be less than working at a big box retailer or at a restaurant. One of the veteran journalists in the social media group where she posted responded almost predictably with the same advice I was given decades … [Read more...] about ‘Financial hazing’ of new journalism hires ultimately hurts all of us
Local news outlets can help readers vet credible sources of information on invasion in Ukraine
This morning as soon as I woke up, I went immediately to search for news from Ukraine. It’s hard to imagine a more important, more devastating story gripping the world right now. It is not a local story for much of America, yet, and its significance is undoubtedly greater to those of us who lived through the Cold War. I spent much of my childhood with the possibility of war … [Read more...] about Local news outlets can help readers vet credible sources of information on invasion in Ukraine