The Latest: Latino journalist cuts threaten coverage; Court extends Evan’s detention; Death of the DC bureau?; Successful mentoring in journalism

January 29, 2024

Top stories

Latino journalist layoffs threaten coverage of 2024 election disinformation targeting Hispanics (NBC News) / First female L.A. Times editor talks layoffs, losing journalists of color (NBC News)

The Washington Post’s new CEO says the news media business is ‘creaking’ and thinks the next opportunities are in social, AI, and personalization (Semafor) / New WaPo chief angered his ex-staff during hacking crisis (Daily Beast)

The death of the Washington bureau (Columbia Journalism Review) / ‘A look at the factors behind the news industry downturn ’ (Jay Rosen) / ICYMI: The media is melting down , and neither billionaires nor journalists can seem to stop it (Hollywood Reporter)

Messenger editor-in-chief Dan Wakeford said to be updating employees this week about ‘potential news investors and funding ’ (Semafor)

New York Times puts ‘Daily’ episode on ice amid internal firestorm over Hamas sexual violence article (The Intercept)

Sports Illustrated union files labor grievance over mass layoffs (Washington Post) / The Onion Union authorizes unfair labor practice strike (The Wrap) / IndyStar, News Guild reach two-year agreement (IndyStar)

Austin’s daily newspaper is being starved to death (Texas Monthly)

‘Baltimore Sun’s new part-owner Armstrong Williams says the publication is hiring an “investigative reporter, a copy editor and a designer” and the newsroom’s policy of ‘remote work-from-home is eventually coming to an end’ (Journal-isms) / Sinclair exec, Sun owner David Smith behind lawsuit against Baltimore schools (Baltimore Banner)

Oregon newspaper to resume printing after embezzlement forced layoffs (New York Times)

Patrick Svitek joins The Washington Post as national politics breaking news reporter (Washington Post)

While reporting on a deficit, Ohio student paper learns its funding may be cut (The Nutgraf) / Daily Iowan acquires Mount Vernon, Solon newspapers (The Daily Iowan)

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution launches new campaign : ‘For the Greater Atlanta’ (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Games are helping the New York Times thrive amid media chaos (Axios)

Press Freedom

Russian court extends detention of WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich (Wall Street Journal)

Judge orders Oregon newspaper not to publish documents linked to Nike lawsuit (Associated Press)

Mississippi may curb reporters’ access to its legislature (Freedom of the Press Foundation)

CRAFT

On trauma-informed language in reporting

"Often, care looks like being sensitive to the traumas that people around us might carry. Using invitational language makes space for people to say no or to respond in a way that feels more comfortable for them by giving them multiple options. Some examples include: Is this a conversation we can have today?; Would you be open to talking about this topic right now?; When would be a good time to ask a few questions about your experience? Trauma-informed language might slow things down, but that can be a very good thing."

-- AX Mina, co-creator of the Take Care/Make Care zine for the Care Collaboratory and part-time program director at The Self-Investigation. To learn more from Mina, watch NPCJI’s program on preventing burnout and stress in the newsroom.

Reframing Firearm Violence: How journalists can use research in their reporting. Free webinar at 11:30 am ET on Friday, Feb. 9. Register on Zoom.

Webinar on reframing firearm violence: How journalists can use research in their reporting

Firearm violence is largely covered in the media as a crime issue focused on individual shooting events. But experts assert that reframing firearm violence as a broader public health issue is crucial to finding policy and community solutions aimed at preventing deaths and injury from guns.

Join the National Press Club Journalism Institute at 11:30 am ET on Friday, Feb. 9, for a conversation among experts and journalists on where to find the best data and research on firearm and gun deaths for your reporting.

CAREER

How to be a successful mentor

“A good mentor is very self-aware. I believe they understand their passions and strengths, and how they can help others. They also are great listeners and tried to help their mentees understand something they did not see. Lastly, a good mentor goes beyond advice . They direct the mentee to resources, make introductions, provide industry insights, and help brainstorm ideas. A good mentor helps the mentee get the results they want.”

-- Jonathan Meagher-Zayas, a nonprofit strategist, educator, coach, and consultant, excerpt from a Washington Post Q&A on being a good mentor

COMMUNITY

Resources

This newsletter is written & edited by the National Press Club Journalism Institute staff: Beth Francesco, Bara Vaida, and Holly Butcher Grant. 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.