February 4, 2021

Top stories ■ Smartmatic files $2.7 billion lawsuit against Fox News (New York Times) / After legal threat, Fox airs news package debunking election fraud claims made by its own hosts (CNN)  ■ New York Times promises ‘results’ to staff angry about allegations of a reporter’s racist slur (Washington Post) / NY Times staffers send ‘outraged’ letter to bosses demanding reporter apologize for racial slur (Daily Beast)  ■ New York Times added record number of digital subscribers in 2020 (Wall Street Journal) / At the New York Times, 10 million paid digital subscribers is no longer an ambitious enough goal (Poynter) / The New York Times tops 7.5 million subscriptions as ads decline (New York Times)  ■ Jeff Zucker announces plans to step down (New York Times) / Jeff Zucker will stay with CNN through 2021 (Los Angeles Times) / CNN’s Jeff Zucker is the next domino in the newsroom-leader exodus (Vanity Fair) ■ Donald Trump resigns from SAG-AFTRA in face of disciplinary hearings; Guild simply saying 'thank you' (The Wrap) / ‘You have done nothing for me’: Read Donald Trump’s resignation letter to SAG-AFTRA (The Wrap) / Media grapples with how to cover Trump after White House (AP) ■ Joe Biden has to walk a fine line when fighting disinformation (Wired) / Biden's first one-on-one interview as president will be with CBS News' Norah O'Donnell (Poynter) / Why it matters that Biden team restored regular press briefings (CNN) ■ New York Times' Michael Barbaro sends letter to WAMU team, saying 'my conduct has broken that trust' in 'The Daily' (Erik Wemple)  ■ L.A. Times courts Kevin Merida for executive editor role; at least seven members of the newsroom have personally contacted him, including the paper's owner (The Wrap)  ■ These local newspapers say Facebook and Google are killing them. Now they’re fighting back. (Washington Post) / A world without news: Papers publish blank front pages to highlight industry struggles (Global News)  ■ Chicago Bears player surprises student journalist with gifts (Chicago Bears) / Read the student interview with Bears player (Leo High School)  ■ Judges hear case of citizen journalist charged for publishing names of dead (Courthouse News Service) / LeBron James settling suit with photographer over misuse of photo on social media (Yahoo! Sports) ■ Hitting the 'pandemic wall'? You're not alone, says journalist Tanzina Vega, whose viral tweet about it prompted an episode of ‘The Takeaway’ (PIX11 News) ■ See this TV journalist use her ‘news anchor’ voice on husband (PopSugar) / These married TV meteorologists are broadcasting from home — for competing stations (Washington Post)  ■ 'We stand on her shoulders': Trailblazing reporter, editor dies (Arizona Republic)

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

Fear motivates people - to leave The best leaders know the difference between obedience and motivation. People may obey out of fear — temporarily. And then they find a job that’s a better fit. Great bosses don’t motivate their teams, they help employees motivate themselves. Extrinsic motivators like salary and benefits are a good start. But intrinsic motivation really fuels the individuals on your team. So put away the carrot and the stick, and learn what drives each of your team members: doing things they’re good at (competence), having a choice and a voice in their work (autonomy), making a difference (purpose), and becoming smarter, better and more accomplished (growth). That’s motivation with staying power.  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 How newsrooms can better serve immigrant communities Redefining journalism entrepreneurship (Feb. 19, 12 p.m.) 2021-22 Rosalynn Carter fellowships for mental health journalism (Deadline: April 7)

National Press Club news NPC Virtual Newsmaker: Panera CEO Niren Chaudhary (Feb. 9, 1 p.m. EST) Great-granddaughter of crusading journalist Ida B. Wells to discuss book, 'Ida B. the Queen,' (Feb. 23, 2:30 p.m. EST) Club added 15 members in January In memoriam: Raymond Galant elevated food and drug coverage, 91 Interested in becoming a Club member? Learn more.

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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