In Case You Missed It

POLITICO Media ALEX WEPRIN

Facebook tweaks 'Trending Topics' in wake of political bias allegations

"...Facebook is also eliminating its list of external websites "to identify, validate or assess the importance of particular topics." It is also removing the ability to assign an “importance level” to a topic through assessment of the topic’s prominence on the top-10 list of news outlets."

POLITICO Media Kelsey Sutton and Peter Sterne

Cindy Jeffers out as CEO of Salon

"She is being replaced as CEO by Jordan Hoffner, the founder of investment firm TCP Advisors."

Nieman Lab Joseph Lichterman

BuzzFeed is building a New York-based team to experiment with news video

"In the same way that BuzzFeed started out focused on lighter content like listicles and then moved into narrative and investigative journalism, the company is taking steps to insert more news into its video operations."

The Washington Post Matt Schudel

Founder of Washington City Paper dies

"In 1981, Mr. Mariotte was the founding editor of an alternative weekly newspaper that evolved into the Washington City Paper."

The New York Times SYDNEY EMBER

In Sheldon Adelson’s newsroom, looser purse strings and a tighter leash

"In the nearly six months since Mr. Adelson purchased the paper, at least a dozen journalists have quit, been fired or made plans to leave soon; many cite a strained work environment and untenable oversight, in particular regarding the coverage of a bitter legal dispute related to Sands’s operations in Macau."

Slate Uncredited

Slate publishes Slatiest piece yet

The site, known for its counterintuitive commentary, has published a post consisting entirely of one word — "Hodor" — in honor of the Game of Thrones simpleton whose character arc played out during last night's episode.

The New York Times Gus Wenner

New from Rolling Stone boss: A video game site

"Wenner Media, the company behind Rolling Stone, Men’s Journal and Us Weekly, is set to introduce Glixel, a stand-alone site devoted to gaming. The site won’t go live until October, but the company plans to unveil the concept on Monday with its first weekly newsletter."

CNN Brian Stelter

Donald Trump's anti-press rhetoric concerns Post editor

Marty Baron, the executive editor of The Washington Post, was on "Reliable Sources" Sunday. "...I'm concerned when any candidate calls journalists scum and disgusting. I don't think there's any place for that."

Margaret Sullivan The Washington Post

The upside to getting into journalism? You can help save it

The former New York Times public editor has a sunny outlook on the media in her first column for The Washington Post. "Yes, we’ve got some big problems, but it’s far from crazy to try to be part of the solution."

The New York Times Jim Rutenberg

Opinion: Facebook isn't transparent enough

Facebook asks us for all of our personal information but is opaque in return, says The New York Times' media columnist.

In case you missed it

POLITICO Media ALEX WEPRIN

Facebook tweaks 'Trending Topics' in wake of political bias allegations

"...Facebook is also eliminating its list of external websites "to identify, validate or assess the importance of particular topics." It is also removing the ability to assign an “importance level” to a topic through assessment of the topic’s prominence on the top-10 list of news outlets."

POLITICO Media Kelsey Sutton and Peter Sterne

Cindy Jeffers out as CEO of Salon

"She is being replaced as CEO by Jordan Hoffner, the founder of investment firm TCP Advisors."

Nieman Lab Joseph Lichterman

BuzzFeed is building a New York-based team to experiment with news video

"In the same way that BuzzFeed started out focused on lighter content like listicles and then moved into narrative and investigative journalism, the company is taking steps to insert more news into its video operations."

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7 tips for conducting better interviews with scientists

Sources make — or break — stories. Reliable sources can become journalists' guides into complicated stories and help them build credibility among subject matter experts. Here are some guidelines to conducting interviews with scientists that can help you gather accurate information and cultivate relationships with reliable sources.

  • Preparation is essential: Science interviews shouldn't be cold calls. Take 15 minutes before the interview to review your sources' backgrounds and potential biases. Know enough about your topic to ask a few key questions, even if one of those questions is: How would you explain this topic to a sixth-grader?
  • Clearly explain the interview process and your story to your sources. Scientists may be brilliant, but they also may not know how different journalism is from their own world of publications, which are months, if not years, in the making.
  • Confirm that your sources understand what "on the record" and "off the record" mean. Make sure they understand that they are talking with you on the record. If they have explicit concerns about speaking on the record, address those concerns up front so you are cleared to use all the information they provide.
  • Pick a good location. Find a place where there is minimal distraction and high comfort for your sources. Your studio may not be convenient for them and may make them nervous. Visit their labs or offices instead.
  • Repeat answers or summarize them to your sources to confirm that you accurately understand what your sources are saying, what it means and why it matters to your audience.
  • Ask pointed questions: "Can you put this in perspective for my audience members?" or "How will this finding/story/research impact their lives?"
  • Listen with an open mind and without being stuck in your own agenda. Respond to what the source says in response to your questions; don't just forge ahead into new and different topics because you are sticking to your list of questions. Your sources know when you genuinely listen and want to learn.

Taken from Whose Truth? Tools for Smart Science Journalism in the Digital Age, a self-directed course by Elissa Yancey at Poynter NewsU.

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