January 22, 2021

Top stories ■ WAMU fires two people as result of investigation into workplace culture (Washingtonian) ■ Washington Post Jerusalem Bureau Chief gets the COVID vaccine: ‘Thinking of those still waiting is what stings’. (Washington Post) / Local reporters are a lifeline helping readers find the vaccine (CNN)  ■ Fox News' Bret Baier on his 13-year-old son's 4th open-heart surgery: 'He could've not made it' (People) ■ Tom Brokaw retiring from NBC News after 55 years with the network (CNN)  ■ Dan Rather returns: 'It’s a heckuva story, and I want to follow it and cover it.' (Steady)  ■ The New York Times names their next Opinion Editor (New York Times) ■ Trump ally at Voice of America replaced by a news executive he recently demoted (NPR) / Demoted VOA reporter is back on White House beat, as of today. She was reassigned last week after asking pointed Qs to Pompeo’ (David Folkenflik) ■ CNN moves to No. 1, Fox drops in post-election ratings shakeup: Will it last? (USA Today) / Will cable companies drop Fox News, Newsmax? Foes face uphill battle (Bloomberg) ■ Trump lit the fuse, but his supporters’ anti-media sentiment may outlast him (Committee to Protect Journalists) ■ Mark Halperin resurfaces with Walking Duck, a digital news startup trying to find middle ground in US politics (TechCrunch) / The former journalist who had a romantic relationship with 'Pharma Bro' Martin Shkreli said the two are back on speaking terms after the infamous 'Elle' article (Insider)  ■ Boston Globe launches 'Fresh Start' initiative: People can apply to have past coverage about them reviewed (Boston Globe) ■ The Washington Post removed Kamala Harris' bad joke about inmates begging for food and water, then explained what happened (Reason) ■ Stop comparing Biden press secretary Jen Psaki to 'The West Wing's' C.J. Cregg (Los Angeles Times) ■ He made a viral Bernie meme site. Now he has to keep it going (Wired) / 'I am not crazy about (my photojournalism) becoming memes,' says photojournalist who took Bernie mitten photo (News Times)  ■ How the New York Times crossword became too big to fail (Study Hall)

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.-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

Leaders: Pitch ideas wisely Great leaders see opportunities everywhere, but they know it’s critical to select only the strongest ideas when resources are limited. Pitching an idea helps focus and vet it. Consider whose input will be most useful and be sure to have a diverse group of people in the (Zoom) room. Watch body language to see who looks curious, confused or concerned. Reflect what you’re seeing and hearing. Encourage questions. Try a “yes and” round robin to spark enthusiasm around an idea. Pitching is a skill, and so is catching. When it’s your turn to catch a pitch, be a good receiver.  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 Scripps Howard Awards (Entries due Feb. 5) National Press Photographers Association Best of Photojournalism Competition (Entries due Feb. 7) L.A. Times’ two-year, full-time paid fellowship Metpro training program (Applications due Feb. 15)

National Press Club news 'Kamala's Way' author, veteran journalist Dan Morain, to discuss book (Jan. 25, 1 p.m. EST) NPC Virtual Book Event: Bill Novelli, "Good Business” (Jan. 29, 1 p.m. EST) Podcast: NPC member photojournalist describes danger at Capitol during deadly attack 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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