Sept. 30, 2024

■ Local broadcasters become lifeline for hard-hit North Carolina communities in wake of Helene’s wrath (CNN) / Covering Hurricane Helene involved most of our journalists (Florida Today) / ‘Local news outlets in the region flooded by Helene are producing indispensable service journalism. Right now the top stories on the Asheville Citizen-Times home page include "where to get gas, groceries, wifi, water" …’ (Brian Stelter) / ‘The journalistic heroes here are local reporters in western North Carolina ,,,’ (Jack Jenkins) 

■ A TV reporter was doing a live hurricane report when he rescued a woman from a submerged car (Associated Press) / Former ABC11 reporter reunites with mom who was in the NC mountains when Helene hit (ABC11) / Palm Beach Post reporter, photographer tell stories of tragedy, triumph after Helene (Palm Beach Post)

■ How CBS will fact check the Walz-Vance VP debate (New York Times) / Meet the Walz-Vance debate moderators: Margaret Brennan and Norah O'Donnell (Los Angeles Times)  / Hot Microphones and No Audience: Here are the rules for the VP debate (New York Times) 

■ How CBS News, the BBC hope to fight misinformation as election looms (Hollywood Reporter) 

■ Amazon in talks with Brian Williams to host election-night special (Variety) 

■ The secretive alliance between the New York Post and Eric Adams (New York Magazine) 

■ Scripps News to cut more than 200 jobs, scale back national news programming amid ‘difficult’ linear TV advertising market (Deadline) / Three Lee Enterprises titles reportedly lay off staff (MediaPost) 

■ DirecTV to acquire Dish Network, Sling TV for $1 (Los Angeles Times) 

■ CNN wades back into the documentary business (New York Times) / The Onion is pivoting to video — no joke — with a former MSNBC anchor (Washington Post) / Fox Nation aims to make a name in faith-based programming with 'God. Family. Football.' (Variety) 

■ Journalist suffers PTSD from covering war in Gaza, 'Hell on earth': 'You can't escape' (People) / Gaza war journalists face unprecedented peril to report on the conflict (NBC News)

■ How Google defended itself in the ad tech antitrust trial (New York Times) 

■ Houston reporter victim of deepfake video on social media (Adweek)  

■ Newmark J-School launches AI Journalism Labs (International Journalists' Network)  / Announcing our partnership with Capitol AI (POLITICO) / Study: 94% of people want journalists to disclose their use of AI. Here’s KXAN’s approach (KXAN Austin)

CBS News correspondent on staying safe during natural disaster coverage

“Safety first is the motto for the team. Know the local hazards based on the disaster situation you’re covering, not just the physical ones caused by the disaster. … Communication is key. Point out things that could be a problem to you or the crew. If you’re talking and watching each other’s backs, it’s easier to work through potential problems. Take a break if you need it. Covering disasters can be exhausting, both physically and mentally. It’s OK to give yourself a break. Sleep is rare, so take a nap if you need it to recharge and stay alert. And if you come across emotionally tough situations, it’s OK to talk it out.”

-- CBS News correspondent Omar Villafranca shares tips for covering natural disasters with empathy

Resources

• Covering Hurricanes: Lessons learned, best practices, and examples (Poynter) 
• What journalists need to know when covering extreme weather and climate change (NPR Training) 
• 10 investigative questions to ask after a natural disaster (Global Investigative Journalism Network)

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

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