March 10, 2025

Top stories

■ Washington Post to overhaul newsroom structure (Axios) / ‘Jeff Bezos had been losing patience with The Washington Post’s liberal predilection long before he mandated a purely pro-markets Opinion section … the tensions that culminated in Opinion editor David Shipley’s resignation had been building for years.’ (Puck) / ‘Washington Post editor Ruth Marcus says she’s resigning after a column on Jeff Bezos’s Wall Street Journal-like opinion pivot was rejected by Will Lewis’ (Ben Mullin) 


■ Homeland Security is using lie detector tests to hunt for leaks to the press (Poynter) 


■ CBS hits back at FCC over probe into '60 Minutes' edits (Los Angeles Times) 


■ Why NPR is ‘vulnerable’ in a new Trump era (Vanity Fair) 


■ Controversial Nat Geo editor given White House photo role (PetaPixel) / Trump names Fox News’s Laura Ingraham, Maria Bartiromo to Kennedy Center board (The Hill) / A bane for tyrants abroad, U.S.-funded networks fear fate under Kari Lake (NPR) 


■ The New York Times shakes up its opinion desk (Semafor) 


■ The Houston Landing has lost a major funder (Columbia Journalism Review)


■ Alabama Media Group vice president, editor steps down (al.com) 


■ A political reporter takes her scoops to YouTube (New York Times) / States Newsroom announces leadership changes, plans for national podcast (States Newsroom) / Michelle Obama’s Next Act: Video podcaster (New York Times) / Condé Nast promotes Fran Tirado to editor-in-chief of Them (Condé Nast) / Zack Sharf named managing editor of Variety.com (Variety) / POLITICO names Emma Anderson its California tech editor (Talking Biz News) / Reuters hires Michael Learmonth as biz editor for spot enterprise (Talking Biz News)


■ Russian spy ring's plans to kill journalist 'beyond imagination' (BBC) / …Europe’s most wanted man plotted my murder — and that of my colleague (The Insider) 


■ ‘Anchors, Under Your Desks!’: Tornado hits Orlando TV station (New York Times) / FOX correspondent live on air as 4.1 magnitude earthquake hit Southern California (Fox News)


■ News unions are grappling with generative AI. Our new study shows what they’re most concerned about (Nieman Journalism Lab) / This AI tool could give newsrooms ‘eyes and ears where they don’t have them’ (Nieman Journalism Lab) 


■ The future of news looks niche (New York Times)

CRAFT

Rethinking audience feedback


“It’s really difficult to get criticism from the audience, especially when it comes wrapped in vitriol. But after you’ve stopped to take a deep breath, honestly ask yourself: Is there anything to be learned from the feedback? A critic can be cruel and correct at the same time. It may be a moment to make your work stronger and to connect with a listener. If they’re right, tell them what you’re going to change. If they’re wrong, explain how you came to your reporting. Rude people are the most surprised when you email them back to thoughtfully engage. If they won’t be good faith partners in conversation though, cut your losses and end the exchange. Remember, it is not acceptable for anyone in the newsroom to be a target of abuse.”


-- Elaine Clark, news director for KUER, Utah’s largest NPR affiliate. Read the full interview on how newsroom leaders can motivate their teams.

CAREER
 
Career Day at the National Press Club is Friday, March 28, from 9 am to 4 pm ET. Join us for: Access to job recruiters; Free professional headshots; Job-search workshops; On-site workspace. Tickets on sale now.

Career Day Session Spotlight: Building your journalism brand


Learn how to stand out in a crowd during the Career Day conference at the National Press Club, taking place from 9 am to 4 pm ET on Friday, March 28.


In addition to meeting top newsroom recruiters, participants can join several professional development training sessions, including how to build your brand as a journalist.

Building a brand is no longer just something influencers need to focus on. It's more important than ever for journalists and communications professionals to have a distinguishable voice and online presence.


During this training session, attendees will hear from Philip Lewis, senior front page editor at HuffPost, who has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers across platforms and has built a recognizable brand by sharing breaking news and connecting with his personal audience.

Join us on March 28 to learn strategies to grow your brand (and network) across platforms — without becoming overwhelmed.

GET TICKETS
 
COMMUNITY

Resources


 

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


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The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. As the non-profit affiliate of the National Press Club, the Institute powers journalism in the public interest. The Institute's tax ID number is 52-1750908.