The Latest: The ‘one-source story’ on abortion; Injured Fox News journalist; L.A. Times’ surprise weed testing; ‘She Said’ trailer

July 14, 2022

■ How the editor of the Chicago Sun-Times decided to publish a photo of victims of the Highland Park shooting (Poynter) / This is America: Journalists are also struggling in the aftermath of mass shootings (USA TODAY)

■ A rape, an abortion, and a one-source story : A child's ordeal becomes news (NPR) / Wall Street Journal adds Editor's Note directly refuting paper's lead editorial on abortion story (Mediaite) / Correcting the record on a rape case (WSJ) / Some media outlets backtrack as authorities confirm story about 10-year-old rape victim who sought abortion (CNN)

■ Unimaginable abortion stories will become more common. Is American journalism ready? (Nieman Lab) / 'A lot has been made of the fact that the initial story was a "single-source story." But the source was the doctor who performed the abortion! That is a very solid source — and doctors cannot hand journalists a patient's private medical records.' (Jill Filipovic)

■ More than 140 L.A. Times staff members demand the Times stop surprise testing new hires for weed (LA TACO)

■ ‘It is unfortunate that an organization for journalists ignored a very basic principle of journalism: Do not become the story.’ (Los Angeles Times)

■ Newspaper photographer donates 1 million photographic images (San Diego Union-Tribune) / Artist apologizes for not crediting photographer after social media outcry (PetaPixel) / The secret art of the family photo (New Yorker)

■ ‘She Said’ trailer: Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan as New York Times reporters who brought down Harvey Weinstein (Deadline) / First look: Watch the ‘She Said’ trailer (Universal Pictures)

■ Wordle is being turned into a board game ; ‘Hasbro approached the New York Times to make a party game after noticing how popular Wordle had become online’ (CNN)

Press freedom

■ US journalists targeted by foreign hackers who show sophisticated understanding of American politics (CNN)

■ ‘It’s been 10 years since I’ve hugged my son .’: A message from Debra Tice (Washington Post) / Austin Tice's parents discuss their decade-long fight to bring their son home (CBS News)

■ Biden defends visit to Saudi Arabia despite killing of journalist Khashoggi (Washington Post) / Fiancee of murdered Saudi journalist Khashoggi criticizes Biden visit (PBS NewsHour)

■ Family of Shireen Abu Akleh, Palestinian-American journalist killed in Israel, ‘disappointed’ in Biden admin's reaction (CBS News) / Niece of slain Palestinian-American reporter explains why she wants to meet with Biden (CNN)

■ Moscow journalist requests political asylum in United States (RFE/RL)

“Assume that your audience is both frustrated by and skeptical of political polls. Remember that frustration is natural and skepticism is appropriate in today's news climate. Look for chances to educate people about how polls work, how you work to be careful with polling data and how polls fit into political discourse in general . Perhaps above all, inject a dose of uncertainty into how you report on polls. Resist the temptation to declare who's ahead and by how much.”

-- Trusting News, “Help your audience consume polls responsibly”

Are you familiar with your rights as a journalist to cover political protests and police responses to them? Do you have a plan on what to do if those rights are challenged — or ignored — by police or protesters? What steps are you taking to keep yourself and your equipment safe and secure, physically and legally?

Registration is open for a National Press Club Journalism Institute virtual safety training at 11:30 a.m. ET on Friday, July 15, on how to cover political protests and civil unrest while limiting your legal exposure and physical safety risks.

Speakers include:

Corinne Chin, Emmy-award winning video journalist, and Associated Press director of news talent
Kamesha Laurry, Borealis Racial Equity in Journalism Fund Legal Fellow for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Mickey Osterreicher, general counsel for the National Press Photographers Association

The conversation will be moderated by Rachel Oswald, National Press Club press freedom team lead and a foreign policy reporter for CQ Roll Call.

Manager's Minute: What are the hallmarks of a great boss?

Jill Geisler, Bill Plante Chair in Leadership & Media Integrity at Loyola University Chicago and Freedom Forum Fellow in Women’s Leadership, on the signs of a great leader.

Watch next: I worry I'm a bad boss. How can I tell for sure?

Get more career advice: Read Jill's columns | Watch Manager's Minute videos

Resources

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