May 21, 2021
Top stories
■ L.A. Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong did not cast a vote, according to his spokesperson; A “no” vote from him would have stopped the sale (L.A. Times/New York Times) / ‘SEC filing says "Patrick Soon-Shiong's vote in favor of the transaction is required, based on his current ownership of the common stock." It also said abstentions would be counted as a vote against the Alden bid - so PSS abstention would doom it’ (David Folkenflik) / Major Tribune shareholder Patrick Soon-Shiong says he abstained, which would have doomed the deal. But the results say he voted yes. (Amol Sharma) / ’Per @chicagotribune: Soon-Shiong said he “abstained” from the vote. However, Tribune Publishing officials said that proxy ballots registered to Soon-Shiong had been submitted without the “abstain” box being checked, and those votes were tallied as a “yes” vote, per ballot rules’ (Gregory Pratt)
■ Associated Press defends firing of new staffer, says social media rules 'keep our journalists safe’ (The Wrap)  / The Associated Press terminates new staffer amid uproar over tweets about Israel and Palestinians, sparking backlash (The Washington Post) / 'Her firing comes after recent articles in the Washington Free Beacon, Fox News, and other right-wing outlets, which themselves followed a complaint by Republicans at Wilder's alma mater, Stanford University.’ (Phoenix New Times) / ’I was just canceled’: An interview with Emily Wilder, recent Stanford grad fired from AP job over criticisms of Israel (SFGATE) / ‘The News Media Guild, which represents the rank-and-file members of The Associated Press editorial and technology units, was notified today by The Associated Press of the firing of Emily Wilder. Here is our statement.’ (News Media Guild)
After a year of working from home, journalists and communicators around the country are hitting reset on their routines as they consider life after vaccination. Add “Pro Tips: Writing refresh” to your toolkit as you reset.

In this 3-hour workshop, we’ll get you motivated with:
  • Tips on energizing tired writing
  • Structuring stories with inclusivity at their core
  • Writing killer headlines that attract, rather than distract

Registration is open for this program, which will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. ET Friday, June 4, on Zoom. Tickets are $50 for general participants and $40 for National Press Club members.

Session spotlight: How to be intentionally inclusive when reporting and writing
(2-3 p.m., Robert Samuels)

Writing with the “little white man” on your shoulder is ingrained in the writing life, says Robert Samuels, quoting Toni Morrison. So how do you keep different voices and perspectives on your shoulder without weighing down your reporting? Robert Samuels, a national political reporter for The Washington Post, will guide you through how to write with inclusivity at the heart of your work.

Participants will learn how to:
  • Talk yourself through a story’s mission statement and audience
  • Conceive inclusive stories by universalizing their most basic emotional appeal
  • Pitch (and pitch again and pitch again) stories that prompt diverse sourcing
  • Channel people who see the story differently than you and/or your editor
  • Deconstruct the process, structure and language that makes a story inclusive

Robert Samuels is a national political reporter for The Washington Post who focuses on the intersection of politics, policy and people. He travels the country to chronicle how the vivacious political discussion in the nation’s capital is impacting the lives of everyday Americans. He previously told stories about life in the District for The Post’s social issues team. Robert joined The Post in 2011 after spending nearly five years working at the Miami Herald. At the Herald, he covered politics, poverty, murder and mayhem. 

“We want you to be a reporter and to actually do some research on the position and on the organization to tailor your approach and apply to positions that really fit with your sense of where you would like to go with your career."

For learning to stick, apply it right away

Advice from Jill Geisler, Bill Plante Chair in Leadership & Media Integrity at Loyola University Chicago and Freedom Forum Fellow in Women’s Leadership
Everyone learns differently. Some people prefer to watch videos, read detailed instructions, have one-on-one coaching to learn something new. But for all learning styles, the best way to make the information stick is to use it immediately. Get an editor's hands on the keyboard to try that new approach on the next story, or ask a team lead to share what they noticed when they used those new listening techniques in their next coaching session. Find a way to help your team apply a new skill asap, or they just might lose it.
Journalists believe that more facts get us closer to the truth, and that the way to make society stronger is by spotlighting what’s wrong. Many Americans disagree. New research shows us how to adjust our mix of stories, reframe our coverage, and write headlines to reach people who don’t fully embrace journalism values.

Join us Tuesday, May 25 from 1 to 2 p.m. ET for a National Press Club Headliners virtual event to learn new ways to build trust with the communities your journalism is failing to reach. 

Speakers include:
  • Jennifer Benz, vice president, NORC at the University of Chicago
  • Tom Huang, assistant managing editor for journalism initiatives, The Dallas Morning News
  • Tom Rosenstiel, executive director, American Press Institute
  • Emily Swanson, director of public opinion research, The Associated Press

Lisa Nicole Matthews, assignment manager of U.S. video for the Associated Press and the 114th president of the National Press Club, will moderate the panel.

Registration is open for this one-hour program, jointly produced by the National Press Club Journalism Institute and the National Press Club. The program will stream live on the websites of the Institute and Press Club, and on the Press Club’s YouTube Channel. It is accessible to the press and public at no cost, but registration is required.

Viewers can email their questions in advance or during the live program to Headliners@press.org, with “Trust” in the subject line.
The National Press Club Journalism Institute just started a reading group for people who love journalism and books and want to discuss them both. The group meets Thursdays from 6-7 p.m. ET, and you can drop in just once or join every time. Learn more and sign up here.
Spend time with other nonfiction writers in the National Press Club Journalism Institute's writing group every Monday and Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. ET on Zoom. Newsroom journalists, memoirists, historians, whatever your preferred nonfiction form of writing — all are welcome. Learn more and sign up here.
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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