Reporter's Notebook

How to Embrace Social Media

Jason Shevrin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:41:12 -0400

New York Times reporter David Pogue writes an article "For Those Facebook Left Behind." The article is a great primer on the most popular social media sites and how to embrace them.

What Makes a Nonprofit News Organization Legitimate?

Cecilia Snyder — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 22:48:32 -0400

full post here

Jim Barnett posed the question: What makes a nonprofit news organization legitimate? It’s a question that nonprofits and their critics have been wrestling with for some time now. And as more nonprofits launch into the news business, having a good answer will be crucial to their survival as credible providers of news.

Q&A on NPR's Diane Rehm Show

Jason Shevrin — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 15:52:57 -0400

Below is a Q&A list from the Diane Rehm show, of interest to anyone trying to get their voice onto the show or similar talk radio programs.

1. HOW CAN I GET A QUESTION OR COMMENT ON THE AIR?

Call 1-800-433-8850. We have only one call-taker who juggles six telephone lines, so keep trying. We are also usually able to read a small number of emails on the air.

2. HOW DO I GET INFORMATION ABOUT A SPECIFIC PROGRAM OR CONTACT A GUEST WHO WAS ON THE PROGRAM?

Backpack Journalism Project at American University

Jason Shevrin — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:04:49 -0400

Want to know more about “backpack journalism?” American University has an interesting new site about their program and people.

From the project's director, Bill Gentile:

By launching the Backpack Journalism Project, American University is now actively at work defining how best to train practitioners. The method’s effectiveness as a journalistic practice demands that it be shaped by high standards and best practices.

NPR's Gender Disparity

Jason Shevrin — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:29:25 -0400

NPR ombudsman Alicia Shepard conducted an in-depth study into the lack of female sources and commentators on the network's airwaves. In her words:

But when it comes to female voices from outside NPR, the network is not as diverse on air as it would like to think. NPR needs to try harder to find more female sources and commentators.

Click here to read Shepard's full report.

New RTDNA Social Media Guidelines Help Journalists Avoid Ethical Traps

Cecilia Snyder — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:10:15 -0500

The Radio and Television Digital News Association drafted what they hope will be useful guidelines for using social media and blogs ethically in our journalism. RTDNA released the guidelines this week.

RTDNA Chairman Stacey Woelfel pushed for these guidelines because, he said, journalists need help balancing the opportunities and land mines that social media and blogs present. The Communicator, the RTDNA publication, said:

New Value Chain of Journalism

Cecilia Snyder — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:52:23 -0500

Independent media can work together to experiment with new models, promote new relationships among players and advance new standards in measuring and valuing content. Individual organizations can use the value chain to explore strategic questions for themselves, such as:

Kristof explains how to cover crisis

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 10:58:04 -0400

The New York Times' Nicholas Kristof explains how to cover a global crisis, including the importance of storytelling.

Katie Couric on how to conduct a good interview

Jason Shevrin — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:45:12 -0400

This video, from the CBS Evening News, features news anchor and interviewer Katie Couric discussing what makes a good interview.

What Will the Rise of TMZ Mean for Traditional Journalism?

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:38:52 -0400

Check out this Washington Post article, TMZ Earns Second Look With Scoop On Jackson.