Russian Twitter bots may have been a factor, but this truly fascinating article from Politico puts a face on the President’s most powerful social media force: a Twitter user who is female, 35-45 years old, not really internet-savvy, but knows how to get into so-called “Trump Rooms” on Twitter to amplify a Tweet by a hundred-fold – or even a thousand-fold.
Read it here.
Posted by Tim Morrissey
An interesting, if a bit wonky, column from Poynter talks about maintaining public trust in your online presence.
Posted by Tim Morrissey
Maybe not – not yet, anyway. Some tips from the Neiman Journalism lab at Harvard.
Posted by Tim Morrissey
Profanity-laden tirades and coarse language once completely unacceptable in public discourse have become much more common in the past year or so. When this kind of language is connected to something newsworthy, when do you use the actual quote – and when do you write something like “using language not appropriate for broadcast”?
This post from Roy Peter Clark for Poynter is written for print journalists. But when you read it, you’ll find it’s completely adaptable for broadcast copy. And the step-by-step guide in this piece may engender a discussion in your newsroom about what does and does not get written in your news copy.
Posted by Tim Morrissey
Pew has the breakdown here.
Posted by Tim Morrissey
Some thoughts on that topic in this opinion piece from Poynter.
Posted by Tim Morrissey
WMTV, Channel 15 in Madison, has been operating for a few months out of a brand new facility.
TV News Check has an interesting story about how the “inside-out”design of the newsroom creates workflow efficiency for the NBC affiliate.
Posted by Tim Morrissey
Tight deadlines. Unrealistic expectations. Constant exposure to traumatic situations. Unsympathetic bosses.
This article from RTDNA sheds some light on the topic.
Posted by Tim Morrissey
An interesting look behind the scenes from Digiday.
Posted by Tim Morrissey
WASHINGTON – The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) and its Voice of the First Amendment Task Force today joined more than 20 press freedom organizations in announcing the launch of the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, a new nonpartisan website dedicated to documenting press freedom abuses across the United States.
A link to the tracker may be found on RTDNA’s website. It will serve as a central repository for data at a time when journalists in the U.S. are facing increased hostility. The tracker may also be found here.
In recent months, journalists have been charged with crimes while covering protests in Washington D.C. and North Dakota; stopped at the border and subjected to searches of their electronic devices; and physically assaulted, in one case by a congressional candidate. Data collected on the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker shows that 19 journalists have been arrested in the course of their work in 2017 and that at least 10 reporters are currently facing charges. In 2017 at least four journalists have been stopped at the border and 11 have faced physical attacks, according to the tracker. These numbers may increase as we receive new information.
“Despite the fact our nation has among the strongest legal protections for journalists and news organizations anywhere the world, this is a daunting time to be a reporter or photojournalist in the U.S. We cannot take for granted our Constitutionally-guaranteed duty to gather and report facts to the public in a responsible way,” said Dan Shelley, RTDNA Incoming Executive Director, who spearheads the task force. “It is our hope that by documenting obstruction, acts of aggression, and unfounded arrests targeting journalists we can help the public better understand why responsible journalism is essential to their daily lives.”
The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker collects data based on news reports and tips submitted by journalists, professional organizations, and press freedom organizations. The coalition behind the tracker will use the research in letters, legal briefs, and advocacy campaigns.
“As the amount of vicious anti-news media rhetoric from some of our top elected and other public officials grows, this project could not come at a more critical time,” Shelley said. “RTDNA is proud to be part of this endeavor, along with the Committee to Protect Journalists and the Freedom of the Press Foundation, which are leading this effort, as well as the nearly two dozen other press freedom organizations that are also participating.”
Freedom of the Press Foundation is leading the day-to-day operations of the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, with its senior reporter, Peter Sterne, serving as the managing editor. The Committee to Protect Journalists is providing the initial funding and chairing the steering committee. Please find a full list of partners on the website.
Posted by Tim Morrissey. Text is entirely from an RTDNA news release.
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