Oct. 3, 2024

Top stories

■ Confronting falsehoods carries risks for the press. So does ignoring them. (Columbia Journalism Review) / You might discover a conspiracy theory on social media — but you’re more likely to believe it if you hear it from a friend (Nieman Journalism Lab) 


■ CNN says Melania Trump publisher asked for $250K fee in response to interview request (The Hill) / Video: CNN correspondent details the ‘unusual’ demand from publisher for interview with Melania Trump (CNN) 


■ ‘Famed Democratic strategist James Carville has joined the Amazon/Brian Williams election night special. + Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner, the Emmy-winning live event production duo, will help produce’ (Dylan Byers) 


■ THIRTEEN launches Your Voice Matters digital series, unpacking key 2024 election issues for New Yorkers and New Jerseyans (The WNET Group) / Thousands of Texas voters are in 'suspense' — and a KERA reporter discovered she was one (KERA)


■ Wall Street Journal CEO Almar Latour has made a year of industry turmoil a banner success (Poynter)


■ Virginia rural newspapers are still fighting to stay alive (VPM) 


■ The New Yorker Union members unanimously authorize strike ahead of festival (Hollywood Reporter)


■ BBC cancels Boris Johnson interview after Laura Kuenssberg message gaffe (The Guardian) / ‘While prepping to interview Boris Johnson tomorrow, by mistake I sent our briefing notes to him in a message meant for my team. That obviously means it’s not right for the interview to go ahead.’ (Laura Kuenssberg)


■ Brian Cleveland named multiplatform editing chief (Washington Post) / The Center for Investigative Reporting hires Josh Sanburn as producer (Mother Jones) / POLITICO names Alistair Walker editor, global breaking news (POLITICO) / Bloomberg hires Nadja Popovich as senior editor (Talking Biz News)


■ CBS reporter Catherine Herridge — who was fired amid Hunter Biden laptop reporting — launches newsletter (New York Post) 


■ Paramount sued by former employee for violating WARN law during September layoffs (The Wrap)


■ ESPN to celebrate 15th anniversary of '30 For 30' with one-hour special (Deadline) / NFL is in talks with Ellison’s Skydance, RedBird about deals (Bloomberg)


■ Journalism scholars want to make journalism better. They’re not quite sure how. (Nieman Journalism Lab) / Simmons University (Boston) relaunches journalism curriculum to encompass humanities (Voice of America)


Press freedom


■ Federal judge rules in favor of Raw Story in fight to access records from U.S. Navy (Raw Story) 


■ Mech Dara: Concern grows for detained Cambodia journalist awarded by U.S. for exposing online scam centers (CNN)

CRAFT

Story structure as a food metaphor


“All pieces are a little like a meal. To work, you need the filling: worthy, fibrous stuff — the facts. But to actually ingest them, you need someone to have thought about how to make it palatable. So, to slightly mix my metaphors, it’s a sandwich. You have layers of facts, lightened by the jam of color. And, in this genuinely terrible metaphor that I’m nevertheless going to run with, you start with the jam, to draw people in. Then you give them a slice of bread that explains why they should spend their time reading it. Then some more jam so they don’t find it too chewy.”


-- Tom Whipple, science editor at Times of London, except from Nieman Storyboard Q&A on bringing humor to serious subjects

CAREER
 

Protecting the wellbeing of newsroom staff


"Newsrooms can do more to protect their staff by offering mental health support, fostering open discussions about well-being, and promoting work-life balance through flexible schedules and reduced workloads to prevent burnout. One key measure journalists mentioned is having a good editor they can rely on for guidance and support. Additionally, providing clear protocols for legal assistance and safety measures ensures that journalists are protected. … With structural changes, journalism can evolve from a precarious field into one that actively nurtures the well-being and resilience of its key players.”


-- Journalist Belle de Jong, excerpt from "Tips for handling the mental load of international watchdog reporting" (Global Investigative Journalism Network)

 
COMMUNITY
Mental Health in Journalism Summit: Free & Online. Oct. 8-10

Mental health has become one of the most important challenges for media professionals all over the world. Burnout, anxiety, PTSD, and vicarious trauma are on the rise.


Register now for next week’s first-ever, free Mental Health in Journalism Summit (Oct. 8-10), an inspiring arena to reflect on the profession, share good practices for mental health, and nurture a global movement that prioritizes a healthy work culture in the media sector. The program will feature sessions in English and Spanish.  


The National Press Club Journalism Institute is proud to be a strategic partner for the summit, which is designed for managers, editors, reporters, freelancers, and anyone working in the media industry, as well as those in academic institutions, journalism unions, and associations. The summit has been organized by The Self Investigation and is co-funded by the Fred Foundation. 


NPCJI-led summit program: ‘Journalism’s open secret: When alcohol use turns into abuse’, 10 a.m. ET Wednesday, Oct. 10


Alcohol has long been romanticized in journalism culture: From movies where editors toast a big scoop to happy hours to the late-night crew hustling over to catch last call after a long night. But the line between use and abuse can quickly blur, especially for individuals with high-pressure, high-stakes, trauma-exposed jobs like journalists.


This panel discussion features experts and advocates who will help the audience identify patterns that indicate substance abuse, discuss alcohol’s long-term effects on mental health, find productive ways to cope with trigger points and stress, and where to find assistance. Institute Executive Director Beth Francesco will moderate the conversation. 

Register now for the summit

Resources

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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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.