Social media presents a challenge to the traditional role news organizations have played as gatekeepers of information — anyone with a smartphone can now engage in public discourse. But by submitting questions to the public in “callouts,” newsrooms can find valuable new leads and gain a deeper understanding of what the public needs. “We can…
Tag: Alaska Press Club
A New York Times Reporter’s Techniques for Writing Human Stories on Deadline
Deadlines are the bane and lifeblood of reporting. New York Times reporter Sarah Mervosh has created several routines and checklists to help. “I think we all want to tell stories about real people and the human element,” Mervosh said. “That’s probably why a lot of us got into journalism.” Mervosh shared the techniques she uses…
Fairness in Criticism with Sam Sifton
Sam Sifton’s experience is in restaurant reviewing, but the lessons from his Alaska Press Club presentation on fairness in criticism can be applied to all kinds of reporting. Sifton is a national editor at the New York Times, where he has served as the culture editor and food reviewer. Alaska journalist Julia O’Malley introduced Sifton,…
#AKleg covered! State government 101 with Chad Sant
Jan. 14, 2021 – In this recording, Alaska Press Club members heard from Chad Sant, a former educator in the Anchorage School District who taught government, U.S. history, debate and more for nearly three decades. Sant’s presentation covered the basics of the legislative process and how to use the legislature’s website to gather information about…
#AKleg covered! State budget basics with Larry Persily and Tim Bradner
Dec. 11, 2020 — In this recording, Alaska Press Club members heard from Tim Bradner, co-owner of the Alaska Legislative Digest, and Larry Persily, UAA’s Atwood Chair of Journalism. The pair discussed where the money comes from that is so heavily debated during session, as well as pitfall journalists should avoid while covering the state…