Nieman Lab: The Daily Digest

Triangle Blog Blog aims for a sweet spot between local news and progressive politics

To what extent can, and can’t, a well-researched progressive civics blog serve as local news? By Sophie Culpepper.

Journalism has become ground zero for the vocation crisis

Journalists — like nurses and teachers — want to do work that’s interesting and socially beneficial. But the industry’s increasing precariousness counterbalances the appeal. By Matthew Powers.
What We’re Reading
Poynter / Amaris Castillo
L.A. Taco was forced to furlough its staff. Reader support brought them back within 24 hours. →
“We understand not everybody can jump on a membership. Not everybody can afford a monthly payment. That’s totally understandable, but even those who donated, those who bought merch, or those who simply shared our membership, we are forever grateful to them.”
The New York Times
One debate. Two candidates. No audience. 60 New York Times reporters. →
“The New York Times will livestream the debate, and 60 Times journalists will be on hand Thursday night to offer context, insight, photos, reactions and fact-checking as part of our live coverage beginning around 8 p.m.”
The Guardian / Harry Davies
“The gray zone”: How the IDF views some journalists in Gaza as legitimate targets →
“An investigation by the Guardian suggests that amid a loosening of the Israel Defense Force’s interpretation of the laws of war after the deadly Hamas-led attacks on 7 October, some within the IDF appear to have viewed journalists working in Gaza for outlets controlled by or affiliated with Hamas to be legitimate military targets.”
Variety / Todd Spangler
MTV News website goes dark as its archives were pulled offline →
“The now-unavailable content includes decades of music journalism comprising thousands of articles and interviews with countless major artists, dating back to the site’s launch in 1996. Perhaps the most significant loss is MTV News’ vast hip-hop-related archives, particularly its weekly “Mixtape Monday” column, which ran for nearly a decade in the 2000s and 2010s and featured interviews, reviews and more with many artists, producers and others early in their careers.”
Rest of World / Adi Renaldi
Indonesia is trying to block LGBTQIA content from the internet →
“The new law would apply to social media and other digital platforms, as well as TV networks, with violations — including hosting creators such as Kai Mata — resulting in fines and cancellation of license. The bill, which also places curbs on the broadcast of investigative journalism, is expected to be passed before outgoing president, Joko Widodo, leaves office this year.”
Reuters / Alasdair Pal
WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange set to be freed after pleading guilty to US espionage charge →
“WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is due to plead guilty on Wednesday to violating U.S. espionage law, in a deal that will set him free after a 14-year British legal odyssey and allow his return home to Australia. Assange, 52, has agreed to plead guilty to a single criminal count of conspiring to obtain and disclose classified U.S. national defence documents, according to filings in the U.S. District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands.”
WIRED / Makena Kelly
Unwelcome at the debate, RFK Jr.’s star shines on TikTok Live →
“The TikTok town halls are not unlike the town halls many candidates participate in along the IRL campaign trail. But instead of answering questions in pizza shops and Veterans halls, they operate more like a giant Zoom call with technical difficulties and all. And unlike televised town halls with news networks, it’s the creators vetting questions and moderating the conversation, instead of journalists.”
Press Gazette / Charlotte Tobitt
UK fact checkers are spending more time on verifying claims made by politicians than on fake AI-generated content →
“The fact checks are produced by a full-time team of four journalists partly seconded from elsewhere within PA for the duration of the election. Also chipping in are some of PA’s specialist journalists – for example its health correspondent helping out with checking health-related claims – and head of production Wesley Johnson and his deputy.”
AP News / Dave Collins
A bankruptcy trustee is planning to shut down Alex Jones’ Infowars and liquidate assets →
“A U.S. bankruptcy court trustee is planning to shut down conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ Infowars media platform and liquidate its assets to help pay the $1.5 billion in lawsuit judgments Jones owes for repeatedly calling the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting a hoax.”
The Verge / Mia Sato
Major record labels are suing the AI company behind “BBL Drizzy” →
“Though much of AI-generated music isn’t quite a replacement for songs from human artists, there’s real fear in music and other creative industries that AI content could cut into their ability to make money from their work. In April, a group called the Artist Rights Alliance penned an open letter demanding that AI companies ‘cease the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to infringe upon and devalue the rights of human artists.’”
Axios / Sara Fischer
The AP is launching a nonprofit group to raise at least $100M for local news →
“The Associated Press is launching an independent sister organization to raise at least $100 million to expand state and local news, its CEO Daisy Veerasingham told Axios. The new group, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, allows the AP to raise philanthropic funds to support its local news efforts, which it can’t do as a not-for-profit organization.”
New York University / Adam Penenberg
Journalism Crossroads: 40 media professionals on their careers and what comes next in journalism →
“Through these personal narratives, we aim to highlight how these experts have not only adapted to changes but have also thrived, pushing the boundaries of how we tell and share stories.”