Nicole Carroll

This week in PublicSource: Democratic candidates seem to be increasingly focused on defining their foes as extremists on reproductive rights. We break down claims in dueling ads in a Pittsburgh-area swing congressional district https://lnkd.in/ewCvhE6p Energy, climate: Important issues, right? In Pa., the balance of power on those and other issues hinges on a few General Assembly races, including one in Allegheny County. So why aren’t the candidates talking about fossil fuels? https://lnkd.in/eeiJGiTe Back in blue, and back pay, too? A judge said no to a former Pittsburgh police officer’s bid to return to the force after tasering Jim Rogers, who died. A PublicSource analysis found that some fired cops beat the city to the tune of 6-figure checks https://lnkd.in/eBzQudWv Wilkinsburg’s governmental future will be on the ballot Nov. 5 — but not in the manner preferred by backers of annexation with Pittsburgh. Instead, voters will decide on home rule, which means a more powerful and better-paid mayor, and more https://lnkd.in/eXRiUCvu PublicSource strives to tell stories for a better Pittsburgh that wouldn’t emerge in media controlled by big money. But we need your help to do this. If you can pitch in: https://lnkd.in/eJgWUGBF Millions for clean air in the Mon Valley: Sounds good, right? If you want to share thoughts on how it should be spent, you have three opportunities, all in October, to do so https://lnkd.in/eYQ8Fdsx Sydney is not a survivor of sexual violence, but she carried a sign and marched with those who have experienced abuse, amid the dangerous “red zone” on campuses. “This is what I have learned as an advocate for survivors of sexual and domestic violence.” https://lnkd.in/eDDTjsWv

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As we wait to hear who won the election, one thing is already clear: election disinformation has reached alarming levels. In the latest episode of Anti-Defamation League's extremely podcast, two experts in the field of disinformation, Dr. Claire Wardle of Cornell University and Scripps News National Correspondent Elizabeth Landers join extremely hosts Oren Segal and Jessica Reaves to break it down. Among the topics they discuss: ·     How the disinformation onslaught of 2024 differs from disinformation waves of past presidential elections ·     The latest AI tools being used to create fake images, video and audio aimed at swaying voters ·     The liar’s dividend—the phenomenon whereby, because disinformation and misinformation are so widespread and more people are unsure about what is and isn’t true, a liar can simply deny that something is real ·     The role of pre-bunking in reducing the spread of election falsehoods and deterring election denialism ·     What social media platforms should be doing to curb disinformation and why they’ve pulled back from doing so Check out the episode here.

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You're probably already taking in a lot of information on how to cover this year's elections. These guides are aimed at helping you talk through that information with your news organization, and strategize or decide on how you'll navigate different scenarios long before they arise and leave you thinking, "I wish we'd talked about how we'd actually handle this." Our first two guides help you consider your coverage of misinformation and polling, and we've got more in the works! Let us know if there are other topics you'd like to see addressed.

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New, from me: The industry's tools, resources and training for stronger enterprise and investigative journalism must adjust to a local news ecosystem now dominated by tiny newsrooms.

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The Wall Street Journal editor Paul Beckett’s account in the Columbia Journalism Review of how the Journal mobilized to free Evan Gershkovich after 16th months as a prisoner in Russia is a tour de force and “a free press triumph” and well worth the read. Some excerpts: A phone call to a senior government official who knows this terrain provided the answer: “There are times to be quiet and there are times to be loud—and this is a time to be loud.” “Yet on days like August 1 (when he was freed), the values that underpin democracy and are the foundation of a free press triumph.” “Few countries that are not democracies could point to such care for their ordinary citizens abroad, let alone noncitizens imprisoned for their political beliefs.” “news organizations must continue to assess and calibrate the risks their reporters face when operating in dangerous terrain. Perhaps they need to make more hard-nosed choices on whether it is necessary to deploy in person to countries that target journalists or whether that terrain can effectively be covered from outside, given advances in technology and communications.” “And they could ensure that press freedom around the world—an issue so fundamental to their existence that it is often taken for granted—is a subject they cover as if their livelihoods and their liberty depended on it.” https://lnkd.in/etZTVCeB

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Is hyper-polarization of media worldwide a reason for heads of state not doing any or fewer conferences/media interviews? "Mr. Biden has granted far fewer press conferences and sit-down interviews…than virtually all of his predecessors…systematically avoiding interviews and questions…undermine an important norm…a dangerous precedent…to avoid scrutiny & accountability” We (readers, viewers, and listeners) are at the receiving end of the huge amount of media content, which we are unable to manage (over-information). Maybe this is one reason we (as consumers of information) become selective, and limited, resulting in polarization. #pressconferences #mediacoverage #headsofstates

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We lead today’s Connecting with the viewpoint of Columbia Journalism Review on the plans announced by the AP to create a new sister organization to fundraise for and support state and local journalism.   Governed by an independent board of directors, the 501(c)3 charitable organization will help AP sustain, augment and grow journalism and services for the industry, as well as help fund other entities that share a commitment to state and local news.   We also deliver more of your stories of working in your first AP bureau – continuing an ongoing theme that’s proven highly popular.   Our colleague Norm Abelson observes: “Of all the compelling, humorous, moving and enlightening pieces I have read on Connecting, the recent stories on first AP assignments rank near the top.   “Often they're as interesting as a novel, as educating as a J-school grad course, as personal as a memoir. The stories are told with honesty and openness, recalling both the successes as well as the miscues and bumps along the way.   “Both for those who opted for a career with the news service, as well as those of us who moved on to other interests, I'd argue there is no better foundation for a meaningful and fulfilling career than time spent at The AP.”   Here’s to a great day – be safe, stay healthy, live it to your fullest. https://conta.cc/4ciWKsA

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Chatbots are a risky for endeavor for newsrooms (automated and highly-visible), and political chatbots more so. Kudos to Ryan Serpico and all others involved in the development of this fantastic new tool to ask questions about Kamala Harris via San Francisco Chronicle. I like that there's a link to editorial guidelines right there, and a detailed rundown of how it works. And a feedback form! This is a template for anyone looking to do the same at your newsroom. And, if you're looking for AI guidelines before experimenting (as you should), the Poynter Institute has a free template (in the comments)

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NPR and PBS should be on their own. The Public Broadcasting Act, the LBJ era media ecosystem is long gone. They take 8% from Corporation of Public Broadcasting, 10% from colleges, 8% from state and local budgets. PBS takes 15% from the feds, 13% from states, 3% local governments, 8 % colleges- that's 39% before folks and rich foundations. What they provide is balanced in some places, like Amanpour and Firing Line, and bias in most other places. NPR is a mouthpiece for the MSM , and the current long list of advocacy from Roe v Wade to pro - Palestine coverage. The design during the great society was needed, now in our vast array of media sources, the federal government does not need to fund any of it. C- Span can carry the record keeping load , with their truly unbiased , long form coverage. If you want NPR and PBS ( nee American BBC) you can pay for it.

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68% of journalists say the press release is still one of the most useful types of content for building earned media coverage and brand equity. But first, you need a news angle. Read when to use and when not in the new 2024 report from Cision. #publicrelations #pressrelease #earnedmedia

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You might see some promotional publicity in the media for a new book purportedly about public relations from what its publisher claims is a 'top operative.' Consistent with the historic tension between hacks vs. flacks, some journos will jump at the chance to platform someone especially if it provides an opportunity to position lying and manipulation as the essence of PR. Bad boys and 'high stakes' take-the-money firms might steal a few sensational headlines, but they are actually at the fringes and on the bottom of an industry where most practitioners around the world counsel candor and transparency in the public domain for clients with worthy points of view. #publicrelations #PR #ethics #propaganda https://a.co/d/0dP8eAG8 https://lnkd.in/eucAfEDU https://lnkd.in/ek2wk3Pg

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Reporters, what would you like PR practitioners to know about pitching you their news/press releases? What tips would you give? I'm hoping to get some input directly from journalists on what's working best 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒘 to help public relations pros do a better job, as I put together a couple of upcoming presentations. I know what works for my B2B clients, but I always like to gain a broader perspective to inform my work. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. #publicrelations #mediarelations

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The latest "State of Journalism" results are available from Muck Rack. They  surveyed 1,106 journalists from January 3 to February 9, 2024. Key findings that I have always stress w clients: -83% of journalists prefer to be pitched via email- (1:1--personalized!) -44% want to receive pitches before noon (even in a digital 24/7 news world, journalists have work hours and most stories are decided in the AM.) -65% prefer pitches that are under 200 words. (Keep your pitch tight and focused. Journalists are short on time and overworked). - Most PR pitches are ignored and the top reason is because the pitch is not relevant to the journalist. 49% say they respond to PR pitches. (Personaize your pitch!).  Interesting findings -70% of journalists say PR pros are either important or very important to the success of their jobs.  -44% predict they will spend more time on LinkedIn going forward. -More than half of journalists say social media is either important or very important to produce their stories. -69% of journalism work is made for digital publication. #Journalism #media #PR #data

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Long-form journalism is great. It's important. It's fun to write. We also really, really need more news. Well written, short pieces of 300 words. Or 80 words. Most people don't read journalism (check the RISJ research to be depressed on that). And of those that do, most of us don't read even medium length pieces. If we want to inform, educate, challenge and entertain then we've got to write for that reality. At The Continent News we do focused journalism. High quality, well edited and short. That then creates a habit and trust, so people read the longer piece when you publish it.

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