By Al Cross This column is titled “Into the Issues” because it began as an effort to help community newspapers explore issues that affected their communities, sometimes from afar. It has evolved to include editorial issues that face community papers. But for an increasing number of papers, the main issue …
Read More »Don’t let shortcuts thwart quality content
By Jim Pumarlo Many newsrooms, already strained by lean staffs, have seen resources exacerbated by the economic toll of the coronavirus. Circumstances have prompted editors and reporters to take shortcuts in gathering and publishing the everyday churn of news. Some of the practices have merit and can make for an …
Read More »The ‘blue shirt’ won. Is that the best we can do?
By Jim Pumarlo Local names and faces are the lifeblood of community newspaper content. There’s no better way to spotlight your readers than through photos. After all, “a picture is worth a thousand words” – right? I rephrase. A picture can be worth a thousand words. The most interesting story …
Read More »Social media abuse costing journalists their own credibility
By Bart Pfankuch Of all the threats to the credibility of American journalists today, and there are many, the most damaging may be the result of a purely self-inflicted wound. The misuse of social media by reporters and editors — particularly on Twitter and Facebook — has made it easy …
Read More »Time to put teeth in Nevada’s records law
EDITOR’S NOTE: This column was written in honor of Sunshine Week (March 14-20, 2021), an annual national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. Go to sunshineweek.org to learn more. Unbeknownst to Nevada officials, the state has been conducting a natural experiment …
Read More »When reporters are arrested at protests
A reporter for the Des Moines Register is facing trial on March 8 after her arrest at a protest — “for journalists the most dangerous place in America.” Below is the Register’s editorial on the topic. As it notes, Andrea Sahouri is one of at least 126 journalists arrested or …
Read More »Reporting on problems while seeking solutions
by Bart Pfankuch With a few simple questions, and just a little extra effort, reporters and editors can quickly improve the quality and value of their work and raise the profile and credibility of their news organization. And if done correctly, and regularly, this new method of reporting stories can …
Read More »Bill introduced in Congress to provide tax incentives supporting local journalism
A bipartisan group of policymakers in the House of Representatives earlier this month introduced H.R. 7640, the Local Journalism Sustainability Act. The bill would provide a series of tax credits for news consumers, news organizations and local newspaper and broadcast advertisers, including the following: • A non-refundable tax credit for …
Read More »Report for America opens newsroom applications, expands opportunity to hire more journalists
Report for America announced recently that it has opened a new round of applications for news organizations interested in hosting emerging journalists for up to three years, beginning next June. RFA places talented reporters in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities. The program recruits journalists and pays …
Read More »Storey Teller lawsuit is dismissed
Storey County Commissioner Lance Gilman’s defamation case against Storey Teller editor Sam Toll has been dismissed by a district judge, who granted Toll’s anti-SLAPP motion, allowed him to be reimbursed for attorney fees and could grant $10,000 in damages from Gilman. Toll wrote that he expects an appeal from Gilman, …
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