RJI news
Newsroom Notes: 4 questions for your newsroom when a giant national story unfolds
KOMU 8 in Columbia, Missouri, is the nation’s only teaching laboratory inside a commercial network-affiliated TV station. The challenges are no different from other newsrooms—just layered on top of the challenges facing the next generation of journalists. We’re providing a first-hand view (and maybe a little advice) from an industry veteran who agreed to lead … Continued
FAQ: 2021 RJI Student Innovation Fellowships
How do I apply? Apply here. The application deadline is February 26, 2021. You will be notified by email about Zoom interviews if you are a finalist for a fellowship. What is a 2020 RJI Student Innovation Fellowship? A Missouri School of Journalism student interning with a local news organization by working 30 to 40 … Continued
Measuring progress on inclusivity
Tracking who actually shows up in the reporting is vital to the source diversity equation in journalism.Long before Linda Miller became an inclusive media consultant for RJI, she spent a decade creating the Public Insight Network for American Public Media, a platform of thousands of people who agreed to be sources for journalists and newsrooms. … Continued
A streamlined unpublishing process is as important as thoughtful policy
An official request process and tracking form are vital — and we want to build you one.If I asked you to give me the basics of your last five unpublishing requests, could you do it? What about the last 10? Twenty? Fifty? Do you have any history about the requests that were received by the … Continued
New FAA rule is a huge boost for night news gathering by drone
Bundled with the FAA’s announcement Monday of the long-awaited rules on requiring remote ID from drones were two rule changes that will ease drone newsgathering for news organizations. Clearly the bigger of these was a drastic change in the way pilots will receive approval to fly at night. Under current rules, drone flights at night … Continued
Narrated articles: Q&A with Allyson Daniels
This month for Innovation in Focus, I interviewed Allyson Daniels to learn more about how we can increase accessibility in journalism. Daniels is a quality editor for the Bleacher Report. Swanson: Could you give a brief summary of the work you do? Daniels: I’m a quality editor for digital sports media network Bleacher Report, meaning … Continued
Year in review: How RJI continues to work with, and for, journalists
Eight ways RJI helped newsrooms like yours in 2020 It doesn’t happen every year, but when the unexpected discovery becomes a bit of a trend at the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute, it’s a good year. And that it happened in 2020, which, for the most part, has been a tough year, is especially good. … Continued
NAB and RJI research provides guidance for journalists on trusted messengers and effective messaging
Survey by SmithGeiger finds Americans eager for a vaccine and “return to normalcy” Washington, D.C. — A new nationwide survey finds a strong majority of Americans are eager for a COVID-19 vaccine and interested in news coverage that provides expert testimony on the safety and efficacy of vaccination, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and … Continued
Journalism outlets need new social media policies
What should they look like? Pittsburgh Post-Gazette journalist Alexis Johnson was barred from protest coverage after joking about a Kenny Chesney concert on Twitter. She tweeted: “Horrifying scenes and aftermath from selfish LOOTERS who don’t care about this city!!!!! …. oh wait sorry. No, these are pictures from a Kenny Chesney concert tailgate. Whoops.” Johnson, … Continued
How an idea about local obits became a newsletter
Take that thing you’ve been thinking about doing for awhile now and make it real. A few years ago, I had this idea. I wondered if local, reported obituaries could help local newsrooms build subscribers, and therefore help support the business itself while connecting them with their communities. I talked it out in hallways and … Continued