Police officers who abuse citizens usually escape punishment because of an array of legal doctrines that stack the law in an officer’s favor. That was true before the murder of George Floyd and killing of Breonna Taylor and it’s true after the uprising that those events caused. The guilty verdict and stiff sentence for Derek Chauvin, Floyd’s murderer, felt like a … [Read more...] about Abusive police officers evade punishment through an array of legal roadblocks to accountability
News and Opinion
Media laws failing challenge of online misinformation and hate
The ways people communicate change over time. And our laws, including the First Amendment, adapt to those changes. But it isn’t clear that recent changes and trends are adapting to our needs for truthful and reliable information, and for outlets of dissent, reform, and renewal, within today’s electronic communications environment. When the Bill of Rights was … [Read more...] about Media laws failing challenge of online misinformation and hate
Freelancing during the pandemic: Journalists chase assignments, security as more of them exit the industry
After covering the Jussie Smollett case for nearly two years for The New York Times, I had to turn down reporting from the actor’s trial in Chicago recently on charges that he faked a racist, homophobic attack in 2019. I had another assignment that week so couldn’t commit to being in court every day of the trial, which The New York Times wanted when they asked me to cover … [Read more...] about Freelancing during the pandemic: Journalists chase assignments, security as more of them exit the industry
Local media need to fact-check gas stories that are full of hot air
Perhaps you’ve seen the sticker on a gas pump. Or maybe you saw a photograph on social media. The sticker is a cartoon of President Joe Biden with the words “I did that!” It is positioned so he is pointing at the gas price. Biden is not responsible for rising consumer gas prices, but the theory is nonetheless being widely shared in conversation and on social media, … [Read more...] about Local media need to fact-check gas stories that are full of hot air
Local news outlets could see boost from federal spending bill that targets community journalism for the first time
Heidi Randhava, a reporter and advertising manager for the Evanston Roundtable, a hyper-local digital media publication in the lakefront city of Evanston north of Chicago, calls herself a “cheerleader” for local news. “Even if you tune into CNN, or listen to local officials, being a consumer of local news is the best way in which people in the community learn,” … [Read more...] about Local news outlets could see boost from federal spending bill that targets community journalism for the first time