The Latest: ‘The media variant’; Journalists targeted on Facebook; The obit everyone’s talking about

December 16, 2021

■ 'Once Project Veritas got Ashley Biden's diary, they declined to do a story on it -- but they also allegedly used it as leverage to get an interview with Joe Biden.' (Bill Grueskin)

■ Meta says nearly 50,000 journalists and activists were targeted by sophisticated spying operations on Facebook and Instagram (CBS News)

■ A federal subsidy for local journalists continues to advance … but slowly (Poynter)

■ Michael Schaffer will leave Washingtonian for Politico (Washingtonian)

■ The Fortune cover made Elizabeth Holmes a star and might send her to prison . (Washington Post)

■ The lawyer who tried faking his death, and the writer exposing his crime dynasty (The Guardian)

■ Vulture capitalists are circling my old newspaper . Here’s why we need to fight them off. (Washington Post)

■ ‘I’ve gone from being just a journalist to becoming some sort of symbol for people who either love me and my work or revile me and my work,' says Nikole Hannah-Jones (AP)

■ This obituary for a 'zaftig' 'Jewish lady redneck' will warm your heart (Kveller) / 'Here's what Renay was great at: dyeing her red roots, weekly manicures, dirty jokes, pier fishing, rolling joints and buying dirty magazines. She said she read them for the articles, but filthy free speech was really Renay's thing .' (Fayetteville Observer)

Press freedom

■ At least 60 journalists have sued police following arrests, assaults at protests (U.S. Press Freedom Tracker) / St. Louis cops argue for immunity over journalist's arrest at protest (Courthouse News Service)

■ Photographer who shot Proud Boys photos files suit to block House Jan. 6 committee subpoena (Washington Post) / CPJ urges US House committee to drop subpoena of journalist Amy Harris’s phone records (CPJ)

■ Can we regulate social media without breaking the First Amendment? (The Verge)

Why L.A. Times editor Steve Padilla supports NPCJI

Why writing coach Steve Padilla supports the National Press Club Journalism Institute

"I did these sessions on writing and what was so fun about them was it was a reminder that, yes, we have to deal with major issues in journalism, but sometimes we need to pause and just talk about the craft."

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"My three guiding questions for stories: What’s the story? Who’s it for? How will we find them? ... We must evaluate our news value, delivery, even speed in some pretty fundamental ways . What is the thing we want audiences to know, feel, understand—and act upon? If we do not have an answer to that question, perhaps more time and reporting would help all parties involved in the creation and consumption of journalism."

-- S. Mitra Kalita, veteran journalist, media executive, author, via Nieman Lab Predictions for Journalism 2022

Manager's Minute: How do I persuade a reluctant staffer to become a manager?

Jill Geisler, Bill Plante Chair in Leadership & Media Integrity at Loyola University Chicago and Freedom Forum Fellow in Women’s Leadership, with words of encouragement for reluctant leaders.

Watch next: How do I tell my boss I’m ready to be a manager?

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

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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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