Community sources of info for AL.com newsroom project include immigrant population

There is perhaps no more misunderstood and maligned community in Alabama than the state’s population of undocumented immigrants. Uncounted by definition, they’re still reeling from the negative impacts of the state’s H.B. 56. Passed in 2011, the law wreaked havoc on the immigrant community by imposing a host of draconian measures, from demanding that police … Continued

FL#179: 6 favorite digital tools from Reported.ly

The Reported.ly team’s favorite digital tools Reported.ly was a news operation that covered breaking news primarily on social and distributed platforms. It was also the first place many people turned to verify developing stories. But in August, its parent company, First Look Media, pulled funding and shut down the site.   The Reported.ly team was … Continued

Media lies and Brexit: A double hammer-blow to Europe and ethical journalism

Editor’s note: If you have an idea on how to solve problems created by fake news, filter bubbles or mistrust of the news media, please apply for a 2017-2018 RJI Fellowship. The application deadline is Feb. 1. In addition, RJI will soon post the full results of its Trusting News project, conducted by consulting fellow and engagement strategist Joy Mayer.

Are you willing to talk to your audience about trust?

As we all work to establish journalism’s credibility and figure how to earn the trust of cynical news consumers, we’re looking for journalists willing to take a radical step: Invite individual members of your community to talk to you about what they trust. That’s right. Who among you is willing to meet face-to-face with audience … Continued

What is a Facebook Live editor?

Gone are the days when news organizations had just copy editors and page designers. Today, there are newsroom titles like digital optimizer, audience analyst and executive mobile editor. As social media platforms have evolved so have job titles, along with the tools journalists use to communicate with audiences. In this series, RJI will learn more about these titles and the people who hold them.

Why send a newsletter at all?

E-newsletters have become a primary engagement, dissemination and revenue-generating tool for modern newsrooms. With benefits ranging from reader loyalty to audience insights to new revenue, it’s easy to see why. What’s harder to see is the “why not,” though it’s equally important. Email used to be a method for filtering the internet. Far from the … Continued

The rise of messaging is undeniable, and it’s not just text

Mobile messaging was born in December 1992 with a simple SMS: “Merry Christmas.” Today it’s the most ubiquitous form of human communication short of speaking. Any of the 6 billion of us with a phone can do it. And with the advent of apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Viber, Line, WeChat and Telegram, messaging is … Continued