The Latest: CNN newsroom shake up; How Evan is coping; USA Today to leave HQ; Trump threatens CNN, NBC

January 17, 2024

Top stories

New CNN boss shakes up news operations , explores digital subscription model (Wall Street Journal) / Alex MacCallum, who transformed the NYT’s subscription business, returns to CNN (Axios) / CNN names longtime executive Virginia Moseley as the network’s first executive editor ; CNN’s international news chief Mike McCarthy will be managing editor (Axios)

Trump wants CNN, NBC off air for spurning his Iowa victory speech (Daily Beast) / ABC News cancels GOP debate after Haley demands Trump appear, too (New York Times)

New Baltimore Sun owner insults staff in meeting, says paper should mimic Fox45 (The Baltimore Banner)

‘USA Today is leaving their headquarters building in northern VA and combining with their other office in DC. The reason: Employees were not coming to the office. The newspaper's parent co sold the building in 2015 but maintained a large presence in it.’ (Jeremy Barr)

‘Condé Nast announces that Pitchfork is being moved under GQ .’ (Max Tani) / ‘Condé Nast unionized staff are planning on walking off the job for one day next week as they seek a contract, I’m told.’ (Max Tani)

Bloomberg revamps global TV lineup and unveils new studio for morning show (Adweek)

The Information redesigns website and expands coverage (The Information)

Is AI the death of IP ? (The New Yorker) / New nonprofit launches to 'certify' copyright-friendly AI practices (Publishers Weekly) / OpenAI fails to escape first defamation suit from radio host (Bloomberg)

Digiday+ research: Publishers show optimism for their own companies in 2024 — but not the media industry (Digiday)

‘Control the narrative’: How an Alabama utility wields influence by financing news (The Guardian)

Why the NY Post is investing in —but separating itself from—page six (Adweek)

Tom Shales, TV critic both respected and feared , dies at 79 (New York Times)

CNN’s Kaitlan Collins is in her prime (Elle)

Press Freedom

Evan Gershkovich's parents share how he's coping in Russian prison (Wall Street Journal)

‘In Paris and around the world, #AFP staff gathered in solidarity on Wednesday with their nine colleagues in Gaza, demanding that the Israeli authorities ensure their security and allow them to leave the territory if they need to.’ (Agence France-Presse) / Al Jazeera bureau chief Wael al-Dahdouh leaves Gaza for medical treatment (Agence France-Presse via Alarabiya News)

Somaliland journalist Mohamed Abdi Sheikh detained after discussing diplomatic row (Committee to Protect Journalists)

Election 2024: How to use poll data to accurately inform the public. Free webinar on Jan. 26. Register on Zoom.

How to use poll data to accurately inform the public during election coverage: Free webinar

As election 2024 gets under way, one thing is certain: Polling is poised to dominate media coverage for better or worse.

Learn which polls to trust and which ones to question during a free National Press Club Journalism Institute webinar, which will take place at 11:30 am ET on Friday, Jan. 26. Whether you are new to using polls in your reporting or are an experienced journalist looking for a refresher, this conversation is for you. Registration is open .

Confirmed speakers include:

Erin Covey, U.S. House analyst, The Cook Political Report
Louis Jacobson, senior correspondent, PolitiFact
Jane Junn, professor of political science, University of Southern California

Quick tip for covering polls

“Pay attention to who sponsored the poll : Is it a political candidate, party committee, partisan media outlet or other outside group that might be using the results to advance an agenda? You don’t need to throw the poll in the trash necessarily — the firm that conducted the poll still has a reputation to protect. But consider the results with a grain of salt.”

-- Steven Shepard, senior campaigns and elections editor at POLITICO, excerpt from Your guide to the chaotic 2024 polling year ahead (POLITICO)

Communication is the key to success

"A newsroom leader needs to get the team excited about stories while making sure everyone knows where to find sources, scenes, and any other information needed to report them. When something about a story changes, as it inevitably will, reporters need to let their editors know, and have confidence they can work through it together. Clear communication about expectations, standards, deadlines, and newsroom culture can save a lot of headaches later on, and help make sure people are being treated fairly."

-- Molly Samuel, deputy managing editor at WABE, and Susanna Capelouto, Southern Bureau Chief at NPR, excerpt from 7 things newsroom managers can learn from beekeeping (Poynter)

Resources

This newsletter is written & edited by the National Press Club Journalism Institute staff: Beth Francesco, Bara Vaida, and Holly Butcher Grant. Send us your questions and suggestions for topics to cover.

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The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. As the non-profit affiliate of the National Press Club, the Institute powers journalism in the public interest. The Institute's tax ID number is 52-1750908.