News and information to help journalists serve the public and stay safe.
June 16, 2020
TOP STORIES
Black journalist pulled from protest coverage sues Pittsburgh paper for discrimination
Alexis Johnson, the Black Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter pulled from coverage of the social justice protests after the killing of George Floyd, sued the newspaper Tuesday in federal court on the grounds of racial discrimination. Johnson’s editors removed her from protest coverage on June 1 after she tweeted pictures of a trash-littered country western concert venue in response to the outcry over destruction in the streets at the height of the protests.

“The Johnson Tweet was intended to — and did — mock, ridicule and protest discrimination against African Americans by society in general and by whites who equate property damage with human life,” the lawsuit states . The suit notes that editors took no action against a white reporter who referred to a vandalism suspect as a “scum bag” in a tweet. And, it notes, no reporters were pulled from covering the 2018 shootings at the Tree of Life synagogue after they spoke publicly against discrimination. In an interview with The Cut , Johnson referred to the Tree of Life shooting and how a Jewish journalist who lived in the neighborhood was a key reporter in the coverage. “Amid everything going on right now, he’s said he remembers condemning white supremacy on Twitter,” she said. Executive Editor Keith Burris did not reply to an emailed request for comment, but last week wrote that Johnson was reassigned because she had expressed an opinion. 
In our scroll and skim culture, dynamic visuals can make the difference in whether a reader engages with a story. But not every story can attract a graphic design professional’s time in the newsroom, especially in the continuing pandemic news cycle. If you’re a reporter, editor, social media manager now handling (or who wants to handle) quick-turn graphics, get a head start with our hacks for designing visuals when it’s not usually part of your job. 

Beth Francesco , the National Press Club Journalism Institute’s senior director, will share best practices, tools you have at your disposal from home, and exercises for creating visuals regardless of your hands-on design experience.   Registration is open .   
Mentors give valuable advice. Sponsors put their reputation on the line to recommend others for positions and promotions. Be clear with mentees about what they should expect from you as a mentor and what it takes to earn your sponsorship. Whenever possible, go beyond mentorship to sponsorship. Here are nine other ways to be an ally . You can also watch an in-depth, hourlong program on becoming an ally or register for the next session on July 15. 

Advice from  Jill Geisler , Bill Plante Chair in Leadership & Media Integrity, Loyola University Chicago, Freedom Forum Fellow in Women’s Leadership
In our connected world, it can be hard to unplug. Yet a digital detox is an important component to self-care. 

Too much screen time can cause eye strain , weight gain , chronic pain and poor sleep . The good news is that even small breaks away from devices can help. 

Here are easy ways to unplug:


Concerned with your daily screen time? Here are ways to track and limit across multiple devices.  

Read on for more self-care tips, or share your own .
This newsletter is written & edited by the National Press Club Journalism Institute staff: Beth Francesco, Holly Butcher Grant, Jim Kuhnhenn, and Julie Moos. Send us your questions and suggestions for topics to cover.

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