The Latest: Jezebel shutters; Journalists protest war coverage; GOP debate recap; Press Forward announces 4 chapters

November 9, 2023

Top stories

Hundreds of journalists sign letter protesting coverage of Israel (Washington Post) / ‘I’ve had to change my way of living ’: Reporters covering Israel-Hamas war face violent threats, harassment (Mediaite)

CNN fires Palestinian journalist after claims he ‘embedded with’ Hamas terrorists during Oct. 7 attack (The Messenger) / Major news outlets refute notion they had 'advance knowledge' of Hamas attack (The Wrap) / ‘There is no evidence the photographers had any advance warning of any plan . Often journalists are told there will be a news event and X time and Y location, and we just show up.’ (Ryan Grim) / Read the statement on Yousef Masoud (New York Times) / AP statement on Gaza freelancers (Associated Press)

Washington Post removes Hamas cartoon after backlash from staff and readers (Wall Street Journal)

Billionaires discuss $50 million anti-Hamas media blitz (Semafor)

Jezebel shutting down , parent company G/O Media laying off 23 staffers (Variety) / Jezebel and the question of women’s anger (The New Yorker) / Jezebel site ends, writers cite ‘strategic and commercial ineptitude ’ (Hollywood Reporter) / ‘WGA Statement on G/O Media shutting down Jezebel , saying it's “devastated though hardly surprised at G/O Media and Jim Spanfeller’s inability to run our website and their cruel decision to shutter it.” ’ (Corbin Bolies)

Vice to end several news shows and lay off dozens of staffers in hollowing out of news division (CNN)

GOP debate: Vivek Ramaswamy attacks NBC's Kristen Welker , news media (USA Today) / How did the moderators do in the third GOP presidential debate? (Poynter) / ‘Per sources, Trump hosted an off-the-record dinner at Mar-a-Lago the night before the GOP debate in Miami. Reporters from outlets including Politico, WaPo, NBC, CBS and others were in attendance.’ (Max Tani)

How Russian falsehoods spread to the U.S. through faux local news (Poynter)

Taylor Swift reporter faces criticism online (New York Times)

SAG-AFTRA strike: Actors union reaches tentative deal with Hollywood and TV studios (CNN)

To turn $500 million into $1 billion, Press Forward looks to the local level (Nieman Journalism Lab) / ‘To start, Press Forward announced four city-based chapters — in Chicago; Springfield, Ill.; Philadelphia; and Wichita — as well as two state-based chapters in Alaska and Minnesota’ (Nieman Journalism Lab)

Nostalgia as a beat? How Newsday is turning look-back coverage into a surprise driver of new subscribers (Better News)

Press freedom

First Amendment Supreme Court cases : 2023-2024 term (Freedom Forum)

Husband of journalist jailed in Russia calls on U.S. for help (Voice of America)

Russian police detain Kazakh national working as journalist in Ural Mountains (The Moscow Times)

Explain the why behind your fundraising goals to build trust

“Your audience doesn't know where your money comes from. They don't know how your business model has shifted, what revenue sources have dried up or emerged, or what percentage of your budget relies on community support. Sharing that information can help you tell a compelling story of why their support is vital to your ability to serve your community .”

-- Joy Mayer, director of Trusting News, “T rust Tip: Use this language when you ask your audience for money” (Trusting News)

Taking Charge as a Freelancer: In-person workshop, Dec. 8

Taking Charge as a Freelancer: Pitching, managing finances & collaborating with editors. Workshop from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 8 at the National Press Club. Tickets on sale now.

Being a freelancer is like running a small business. You are the CEO when it comes to finding stories, keeping the work flowing, and managing the money coming in.

But you don’t have to do it alone. Join the National Press Club Journalism Institute on Friday, Dec. 8, for an in-person afternoon workshop of networking to find your tribe and to learn strategies for winning pitches, managing freelancing as a business, and building the writer and editor relationship to sustain that business.

GET TICKETS

Doors for the workshop open at 12:30 p.m. with the sessions starting promptly at 1 p.m. After the workshop, continue the conversation with fellow freelancers and editors in the Eric Friedheim National Journalism Library. This workshop is in-person only and will not be livestreamed or recorded.

Click here to see the full schedule and confirmed speakers.

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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.