The Latest: Wall Street Journal shuttering bureaus; Media & law webinar June 7; AI + fake bylines; Media moves

May 30, 2024

Top stories

‘WSJ editor Emma Tucker announces changes in how the paper covers U.S. news, including shuttering east coast, Midwest, and West Coast regional bureaus ’ (Katie Robertson) / ‘Journalists at the WSJ's office in New York have plastered editor in chief Emma Tucker's office with sticky notes protesting job cuts ’ (Ben Mullin)

A national network of local news sites is publishing AI-written articles under fake bylines . Experts are raising alarm (CNN) / An ex-Florida deputy sheriff who received asylum in Russia is behind a growing network of 160+ fake news sites mimicking U.S., UK, and French outlets: Researchers (New York Times) / Ten big questions on AI and the news (Columbia Journalism Review)

Fox News and right-wing media have already decided the Trump trial verdict (CNN) / ‘As the jury deliberates, cable news networks are on verdict watch , sticking with a parade of analysts despite no new news’ (Ted Johnson)

CNN will buck tradition and put commercial breaks in Biden-Trump presidential debate (Variety) / Robert F. Kennedy Jr. files complaint over rules for CNN's presidential debate next month (Associated Press)

Europe banned Russia’s RT Network . Its content is still spreading (New York Times) / With half the planet going to the polls in 2024, fact-checking sputters (Poynter) / OpenAI says its tools were used in foreign influence campaigns (Axios)

Olivier Knox is joining U.S. News & World Report as senior national correspondent and anchor of Decision Points (POLITICO) / Houston Chronicle names Fernando Alfonso managing editor of news and content development (Houston Chronicle) / Yaffa Fredrick named senior director of investigations at the Houston Chronicle (Houston Chronicle) / Veteran journalist who covered Washington state’s Capitol Hill is new owner of Seattle Gay News (CapitolHillSeattle)

Robert Allbritton's new mission is creating more journalists . Why? (Washington Post)

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith on the state of sports journalism , touching the ‘third rail,’ and whether he's underpaid (GQ)

Journalist and author Ed Yong on judging the Pulitzer Prize in general nonfiction (The Ed's Up)

'My dream had to change ': Former WBZ-TV anchor Liam Martin talks men's mental health (Boston Globe)

Illinois passes $25 million in tax credits to boost local journalism (Local News Initiative)

The start and sustainability of the Daily Memphian (Reynolds Journalism Institute)

Press Freedom

Israeli journalist describes threats over reporting on spy chief and ICC (The Guardian)

Utah A.G. office sues Tribune reporter to keep (Attorney General) Sean Reyes’ calendar secret (Salt Lake Tribune)

Journalism groups sue Wisconsin justice department for names of every police officer in state (Associated Press)

How to interview news avoiders

“People give many reasons why they avoid the news, but the bottom line is that we as journalists are missing the mark when it comes to meeting our communities’ information needs. … A key step in that process is to understand how people are currently perceiving and experiencing the news, and what information gaps exist . This means examining whether we as news organizations are actually solving problems or meeting the information needs of our communities. … We also know from previous research that journalists simply taking the time to talk and listen to people builds trust and goodwill.”

-- Mollie Muchna, project manager at Trusting News, excerpt from Trust Tip: Interview news avoiders with this guide

Media & The Law: What journalists need to know about copyright & defamation suits. Free webinar on Friday, June 7, 11:30 am ET via Zoom.

Next week: What journalists need to know about copyright & defamation suits

Knowing the essentials of copyright and libel laws is critical for newsroom journalists and independent freelancers — especially in an increasingly litigious media environment.

Join us for a free webinar at 11:30 am ET on Friday, June 7. Attorney Chad Bowman of Ballard Spahr will outline copyright and libel law essentials for today’s media environment and take questions to help journalists and freelancers understand their rights and how to follow the law.

NOTE: This webinar will NOT be recorded.

What is the ideal length of a cold call pitch email to a prospective client?

“This is generally between 50-125 words. This translates to roughly 5-15 lines of text. Why this length? Respect for the recipient’s time : Busy professionals receive countless emails daily. A concise message is more likely to be read. Quick and easy to scan: People tend to skim emails. A shorter email allows the key points to stand out. Put key messaging in bold or even bullet points. Higher response rates: Studies have shown that emails within this range receive the highest response rates.”

-- Excerpt from Freelancer's guide to landing high-paying clients

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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.