Fixing contrived news: A Pew Research poll finds Americans think made-up news is a bigger problem than terrorism, violent crime and climate change.
They blame political leaders and activists for misleading news, but expect journalists to fix the problem.
A perfect news product: Ron LaForme calls morning newsletters something all publications should consider.
One sent by The Buffalo News “combined packaging of news, politics, food, sports and other tidbits” painting a lively portrait of the Western New York region.
Salt Lake Tribune seeks nonprofit status: In a novel approach, the newspaper wants to convince the IRS that it operates for educational purposes, writes Christine Schmidt.
“The IRS will be the judge of that,” she writes.
Self-care tips for journalists: Journalists who cover trauma can suffer after-effects, writes Kari Cobham.
Pay attention to your mind and body, she writes. Consider therapy, exercise and help from friends.
AP tweets on term “racist.”
In a series of tweets, AP explains its style usage.
“In general, avoid using racist or any other label as a noun for a person; it’s far harder to match the complexity of a person to a definition or label than it is a statement or action. Instead, be specific in describing the person’s words or actions.”
Using drones in journalism: Newsrooms need policies on using drones, according to a Center for Journalism Ethics report.
“While news organizations and individual journalists are safely integrating drones into their daily operations, as well as the national airspace, it is crucial to remember that this evolving technology still faces many regulatory and legislative hurdles, not to mention privacy issues and ethical concerns,” says the report.
The Facebook effect: Users often think they are immune to negative influences of social media, while others are not, writes Joseph B. Walther.
“That paradox helps explain why more than 2 billion people continue to use the site each month,” writes Walther, “and it also helps explain what’s behind the pressure to regulate” Facebook.
Liar’s dividend explained: Exposing lies can have an unsettling backlash, writes Kelly McBride.
“Debunking fake or manipulated material like videos, audios or documents ultimately could stoke belief in the fakery,” she writes, making it harder for the public to trust the media. Collaboration by media could help.
SF police sow suspicion of media: The heavy-handed seizure of a freelance reporter’s records and devices is a gross violation of federal rules, writes Kelly McBride.
“By continuing to argue publicly that their raid was justified, and that this particular journalist is a bad person who shouldn’t be trusted, the SFPD adds to the public confusion over the role of the press,” she writes.
Evaluating medical studies: Journalists should consider newsworthiness, methodology and categories of studies before covering them, writes Chloe Reichel, who offers a tip sheet.
“With the amount of research published on a daily basis, journalists have to work to discern what’s worth covering,” she writes.
Ethics AdviceLine for Journalists 