April 3, 2023

■ Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich appeals against arrest, Russian state media says (CNN) / Blinken calls for release of WSJ reporter in call with Russian foreign minister (POLITICO) / U.S. allies demand Russia release Evan Gershkovich (Wall Street Journal) / ‘Wall Street Journal's Emma Tucker says Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s rare call with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, over the detained reporter was “hugely reassuring ….” ’ (Face the Nation) / Evan Gershkovich’s arrest marks a new era of hostage diplomacy (Wall Street Journal) 

■ Espionage charge adds hurdle to freeing a reporter detained in Russia (New York Times) / ‘When reporting on Evan's ordeal, avoid repeating the Russian narrative. The fact that he is a hostage is the story, not the supposed charges against him. Constantly humanize Evan. Drop all our notions of competition and steel ourselves for a potentially long ordeal. #FreeEvan’ (Jason Rezaian) / ‘ “We haven’t been able to reach him. We haven’t been able to get any messages to him.” WSJ editor-in-chief ...’ (Matthew Luxmoore) 

■ Who is Evan Gershkovich? WSJ reporter loved Russia, the country that detained him (Wall Street Journal) / Journalist detained by Russia was reporting stories that ‘needed to be told’ (New York Times) / Leaders of top global news organizations call for release of Wall Street Journal reporter (Wall Street Journal) 

■ ‘Trump team tells judge to deny media request to have cameras in court for historic arraignment, arguing it “will create a circus like atmosphere…raises unique security concern and is inconsistent with Trump’s presumption of innocence.” ’ (Paula Reid) / Trump case spotlights New York rule barring cameras in court (POLITICO) / News organizations ask judge to immediately unseal Trump indictment, allow cameras in court (NBC News) / Trump mugshot should stay private, attorney says (POLITICO) 

■ Welcome back to The Trump Show (New York Times) / Trump and Fox re-embrace amid a larger media blitz (POLITICO) / Fox News pundit dismisses Trump’s ‘death and destruction’ threat as ‘why America loves the guy’ (The Wrap) / Trump to deliver remarks Tuesday night after his arraignment (Associated Press) / What is an indictment and what does it mean for Donald Trump? (Poynter) / Fifty years of investigations on Trump, visualized (Washington Post) 

■ Twitter strikes New York Times’ verified badge on Elon Musk’s orders (Washington Post) / At Elon Musk's Twitter, speech is anything but free (Axios) / News organizations say they won't pay for Elon Musk's Twitter Blue because 'verified checkmarks no longer represent authority and expertise' (Insider)

■ News now makes up less than 3% of what people see on Facebook (Nieman Journalism Lab) 

■ '60 Minutes' slammed for Marjorie Taylor Greene interview (Variety) / ‘Fake news’ no more: Marjorie Taylor Greene’s journey to 60 Minutes (Semafor) / 'Wow': Lesley Stahl left nearly speechless by Marjorie Taylor Greene's remark on Biden and pedophiles (Mediaite) / Opinion: ‘60 Minutes’ had newsworthy reasons to interview Marjorie Taylor Greene. But she deserved more pushback. (Poynter) 

■ CNN pivots to the political center, but no one is around to watch (Next TV) 

■ Elizabeth Vargas promises straight news with no opinions on NewsNation newscast (Broadcasting & Cable) 

■ Broadcast news is at center of fight over noncompete clauses (New York Times) 

■ White House withdraws Gigi Sohn’s FCC nomination (Broadcasting & Cable) 

■ ICYMI: Judge undercuts key Fox News defense as he sends Dominion suit to trial (Washington Post) / Delaware jury to decide if Fox is liable for defaming Dominion (Reuters)

■ ICYMI: Tensions flare inside NPR after staff layoffs and town halls (Bloomberg) / Journalism Competition and Preservation Act introduced (Radio Online) / Jim Nantz, calling his last Final Four, gets nostalgic. Can you believe it? (Washington Post)

Press Freedom 

■ Journalist assaulted while covering political sign vandalism (Associated Press)  

■ Fil-Am photojournalist goes from observer of anti-Asian attacks to survivor (Rappler)  

■ The laws were supposed to attack ‘fake news.’ Now they are jailing journalists (Poynter)

Video by Wall Street Journal, shared with permission

An American reporter with Russian heritage, WSJ’s Evan Gershkovich made Russia his second home and was authorized to work in the country when he was detained by authorities. His colleagues talk about what makes him such a talented correspondent. Watch now.

 “When your newsroom is putting extra effort into specific coverage, think about how you could shine a light on that investment. In a story (in text or on-air) or on social media, how can you explain the components of your coverage? Be careful to use a tone that focuses on explanation, not bragging. Your goal here isn't to get a pat on the back for your staffers but to show the ways you're working on behalf of the community.”

-- Joy Mayer, director of Trusting News, “Show how your staff covers big news”

This newsletter is written & edited by the National Press Club Journalism Institute staff: Beth Francesco and Holly Butcher Grant. Send us your questions and suggestions for topics to cover.

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