February 8, 2021

Top stories ■ Journalists unravel murder-for-hire plot, says the FBI (WSAW-TV)  ■ A journalist live-tweeted a legislator’s false statements about the vaccine. Twitter suspended him. (KTOO) / Facebook says it plans to remove all posts with false vaccine claims (New York Times) / Lawsuits take the lead in fight against disinformation (New York Times)  ■ Punchbowl News sued (Washingtonian) / OAN parent co. ordered to pay $250,000 to Rachel Maddow, MSNBC for failed lawsuit (HuffPost) / Louisiana Attorney General sues reporter over public records request (Washington Post) / Alignment chart for responses to open records requests (Keri Blakinger) ■ Why Fox News canceled Lou Dobbs (CNN) / ‘Consultant’ Bill Shine casts Fox shadow over ‘NewsNation’ (Robert Feder)  ■ Four Seasons Total Landscaping getting documentary treatment about Guiliani press conference (Hollywood Reporter)  ■ Diane Sawyer under fire over unearthed Britney Spears interview (The Wrap)  ■ At the Super Bowl, the NFL’s social message is muddled (New York Times) / Reddit’s 5-second ad was an unlikely Super Bowl winner (New York Times)  ■ Where does Abby Phillip go from here? (Washingtonian)  ■ Covering an impeachment trial for the ages (again): 'I have really visceral memories of that day. But as a journalist, I need to set those aside and cover the debates objectively. My own experience doesn’t have a role in that.' (New York Times) ■ A Black reporter's road trip to the inauguration — and a search for America's 'soul' (Los Angeles Times) / 'It’s been a month since the evacuation from the Capitol, and I would be lying if I said it isn’t still impacting me.' (Olivia Beavers) / 'Conversations with others who were there have often felt like another 9/11 “Where were you?” moment.' (Igor Bobic) / 'I don’t think my mind ever left. I’m still there' (Leah Millis) / ‘Is this how I die?’: Photojournalist relives Jan. 6 (CNN)  ■ ’While I'm tempted to be vague about my departure, I also believe it's important to acknowledge the profound exhaustion, loss, grief, burnout, and trauma of the past year covering—and living in—a mass casualty event that has changed all of our lives.’ (Olivia Messer)  ■ The Ledger names new executive editor (The Ledger) ■ Was his excuse really, 'we're not woke'? (Richard Prince) ■ 'McClatchy will establish a minimum salary in its newsrooms, of at least $42K' (Jeong Park) ■ The New Yorker crossword will now appear in every print issue of the magazine (New Yorker) ■ Chinese-Australian reporter arrested, accused of spreading secrets (Star Tribune) / Club welcomes Egypt’s overdue release of jailed journalist (National Press Club) / U.S. press leaders urge India to release long-jailed journalist (National Press Club)   ■ ESPN baseball reporter Pedro Gomez dies at 58 (ESPN) / Late ESPN reporter connected with everyone — even Barry Bonds (Forbes)

Visual journalists have been on the front lines of the pandemic, injured at protests and attacked at the Capitol insurrection. Holding a camera makes those who are reporting on events a visible target for law enforcement or people angry at the media. And working remotely is not an option when you’re the community’s eyes and ears at the scene. So how do we care for photojournalists facing more pressure than ever under exhausting and dangerous circumstances?  Join the National Press Club Journalism Institute and the National Press Photographers Association for honest answers to this question from visual journalists who understand the challenges and importance of capturing history. Registration is now open for this program, which will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST on Friday, February 12, 2021. The panel will feature:  Nicole Frugé, director of photography, San Francisco Chronicle Rich Glickstein, recovering photojournalist, trauma therapist and social worker  Michael Santiago, staff news photojournalist, Getty Images Edward Wilson, chief photographer, WRAL Moderator: Akili Ramsess, executive director, NPPA

Thank a manager today The best frontline managers are partners to their teams and to their bosses. They are the hub of a wheel that turns more smoothly through their efforts. They collaborate instead of compete. They widen our options and reality-test our assumptions. They plan, close the loop and are working harder than ever — just like you. Thank yours today. Advice from Jill Geisler, Bill Plante Chair in Leadership & Media Integrity, Loyola University Chicago, Freedom Forum Fellow in Women’s Leadership Click here to read Jill’s previous posts.

Resources McGraw Business Journalism Fellowship (Deadline: Feb. 12)   2021 News Leaders Association Awards (Deadline: Feb. 19) Going local in 2021: What PR pros need to know about the value of local news (Feb. 25, 3 p.m. ET )

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. Get this from a friend? Subscribe, and view the archives.

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