Michelle Manafy’s Post

Care to learn how political dynamics and corporate decisions are reshaping content moderation, the importance of maintaining access to data for tracking disinformation, and the need to balance ethical considerations with practical challenges in reporting on online platforms? Check out this article from Columbia Journalism Review for insights into the evolving landscape of content moderation and its implications for journalism. https://lnkd.in/gj7pm4PX #Journalism #ContentModeration #Disinformation #EthicalReporting

"Right now, the predominance of the corporate views and interests are coming before that of the public interest and the public good. And we are hard pressed to believe that the corporate media is going to change and suddenly start actually serving the public interest. The public good. "And that's where independent media is so important. A cornerstone of our human rights. Because the right to know underpins every other human right. And independent journalism is a cornerstone of the American project, of American democracy." Link to lists of my favorite indie sources in comments.

Came across an article from Techdirt that talks about 404 Media's success in the technology journalism space. 'And in a one-year anniversary post, they once again note that the outlet has proven that worker-owned online news is still perfectly profitable if done correctly: “We and our colleagues at other journalist-owned publications have shown that small businesses owned by the people doing the work can be successful not just editorially, but can also be financially sustainable.” The bumbling, fail upward brunchlords that now dominate outlets like Vice (and Newsweek, and Sports Illustrated, and CNN, and CNET, and Gannett, etc.) no longer see journalism as public service. Their interest is in building giant, cheaply built, badly automated mindless engagement monstrosities that effectively shit ad revenue at preposterous, impossible scale.' A dios brunchlords...Lol. https://lnkd.in/gTwD3czP #brunchlord, #technology, #journalism, #media, #reporters, #workerowned

The media landscape has undergone a seismic shift. What was once a temple of unbiased information has morphed into a cacophony of noise, opinion, and often, misinformation. The hallowed halls of journalism, once revered for their gatekeeping role, now echo with the clatter of clickbait and the pursuit of sensationalism. Print, once the authoritative voice, is struggling for relevance in a world dominated by the ephemeral nature of digital content. The 24-hour news cycle has transformed into a relentless pursuit of breaking news, often at the expense of depth and context. Electronic media, while offering unprecedented reach, is plagued by low-quality content, sensationalism, and a disturbing trend towards opinionated news masquerading as objective reporting. The erosion of trust in media is a direct consequence of this decline. The public is inundated with information, yet starved for truth. The value of news, once considered a public good, has been commoditized. Sensational headlines, sponsored content, and opinion pieces have replaced in-depth investigative journalism. This not only undermines the media's credibility but also hampers informed decision-making by the public. To restore the media's integrity, we must prioritize quality over quantity. A return to investigative journalism, coupled with a commitment to accuracy and fairness, is essential. Media organizations must invest in credible reporting, fact-checking, and ethical standards. Moreover, media literacy initiatives should be promoted to empower audiences to discern fact from fiction. Only by reclaiming its role as a watchdog and a purveyor of truth can the media regain the public's trust and fulfill its societal obligation. #media #journalism #news #digitalmedia #credibility #truth #factchecking

Policy changes would not be possible if no one spreads the word. Dave Bondy, Digital & Video Manager for the Mackinac Center, makes it his business to inform the public. On the Overton Window podcast, Bondy discusses how the Mackinac Center reaches people looking to learn more about impactful policy. Bondy’s interest in journalism started when he was seven years old. “I would go around the neighborhood with a little fake microphone and interview neighbors,” Bondy says. He got involved with high school and college newspapers, at one point covering college sports for the Detroit Free Press. "Your job is to hold the powerful accountable," a colleague told Bondy when he began his reporting career. This became a guiding principle in his career, pushing him to challenge authority and expose untold stories. Bondy brings deep experience with digital media — particularly short-form videos. “The one-minute short videos do great right now. In a year from now, they may not,” he says. The constantly shifting landscape requires an understanding of the algorithms’ nuances. In the rise of social media, it can be said that every user is a journalist. "I don’t agree with that,” Bondy says, “There are still ethics, there are morals, there are certain rules—you can’t go out and slander or defame someone.” His commitment to fairness and objectivity is central to his work. "I will be critical of Democrats, Republicans, independents. I try just to give the information and not tell people how to think,” he says. Bondy’s career reached a turning point when he faced backlash in the workforce for his criticism of an elected official. He realized he couldn’t work in an industry that compromised the pursuit of truth to maintain access to sources. It was this experience that led Bondy to the Mackinac Center. “I came in wanting to help spread the message not just to people who already know about the Mackinac Center, but to people who don’t,” Bondy says. Through his work, Dave Body strives to bring authenticity and transparency to the digital realm, encapsulated in his brand, "Keeping it Real." The slogan aims to capture “the realness of just being me and some may not like it at times, but I try to be very fair.” There is a growing need for voices like his. In an age where algorithms often trap users in echo chambers, Bondy’s focus remains on filling the knowledge gaps left by legacy media. Jessica Wyeth Dave Bondy

I’ve read quite a number of debates and lively exchanges recently about marketers ‘borrowing’ (other less euphemistic terms available) from the work of journalists - and then not crediting that work in their own hot-take presentations on what’s happening in the world, and what brands need to do about whatever it is that’s happening. By journalists I mean all types, from those covering politics and business to sport, sustainability, subculture and so on - but across all areas, particularly those producing thought provoking, longer form editorial. And by borrowing I mean wholesale lifting of huge chunks of a person’s thinking and writing - which is rather different than drawing inspiration from a range of sources. Not only is the work being intellectually borrowed, but the majority of those doing that borrowing aren’t even willing to pay a penny for reading it in the first place. It feels to me that marketers have a greater need than ever for these well articulated and thoughtfully crafted outside-of-the-industry perspectives (I honestly don’t think many market research agencies are set up right to be able to match this). Yet trying to earn anything remotely like a living out of journalism is also harder to do than ever. Something’s not right there. A shout out, then, to the talented journalists that the marketing game tends to lean on so heavily for ideas and direction. And some good thoughts on the challenges they face, plus potential solutions, in this piece from Ilana Kaplan.

Part 1: Whatever Happened to Just the Facts? Why We Need a Return to Trustworthy Reporting Introduction: In today’s world, where sensationalism and commentary often overshadow pure facts, many people are left wondering: can we still trust the media? Gone are the days when legendary broadcasters like Walter Cronkite and Peter Jennings would simply report the news without adding their own opinions. Today, there seems to be a blurred line between news and opinion, raising critical questions about trust. 1. A Crisis of Trust: Media, Religion, Education, and Beyond. It’s not just the media where people are losing trust. If news networks can deliver “half-truths” or omit critical context to fit a narrative, who else might be shaping information to serve their own interests? From religious leaders to educators, when institutions we depend on for guidance and knowledge are called into question, it creates a real crisis of confidence. Questions to consider: • If we can’t trust the media, who can we trust for objective information? • How does a lack of trust in media impact other trusted figures like priests, teachers, and even government officials? 2. Remembering Legends of Impartial News: Cronkite, Jennings, and the Gold Standard of Journalism. There was a time when journalists presented facts and allowed viewers to decide for themselves. Walter Cronkite, famously “the most trusted man in America,” set an example by keeping his own emotions and opinions off the air. By reporting events impartially, broadcasters like him gave viewers the chance to form their own judgments, which built a strong bond of trust. What changed? Today, it’s rare to find pure, unembellished facts in the news. Instead, much of what we see is shaped by a desire to entertain, keep attention, or provoke reactions—all of which can obscure the truth.

This isn't "news," it's a symptom of a deeper rot in American media. The LA Times debacle is just the latest example of billionaire ownership gutting journalistic integrity. Forget "parrot the so-called news," they're not even pretending anymore. Soon-Shiong, like other billionaire owners, treats these institutions like personal fiefdoms, not pillars of democracy. He’s not interested in informing the public; he's curating a narrative. Blocking the Harris endorsement isn't about neutrality, it's about control. What’s next, spiking stories critical of his investments? Let's be clear: this isn't a both-sides issue. This is about power, plain and simple. While some owners lean left, the overwhelming trend is toward conservative, corporate-friendly control. Remember the Chicago Tribune under Sam Zell? A newspaper reduced to a frat house. These billionaires aren't buying newspapers to uphold the Fourth Estate; they're buying them to silence it. They’re buying influence, shaping public discourse to protect their interests. The resignations? A predictable outcome. Journalists with a spine won’t tolerate being puppets. But it’s a pyrrhic victory. They leave, the paper loses credibility, and the public gets a watered-down, sanitized version of reality. The real losers here are the readers, the citizens who rely on a free press to hold power accountable. This isn't just about the LA Times or Kamala Harris. It's about the slow strangulation of American journalism, one billionaire whim at a time. And the silence from other media outlets? Deafening. They're either complicit or terrified. Either way, it's a chilling omen for the future of our democracy. https://lnkd.in/edMBxkgQ

So true for scholastic journalism, as well.

As more industry leaders launch ecosystem research projects to find a baseline for their impact work, I hope people will turn to this comprehensive local news ecosystem study conducted by my alma mater Philip Merrill College of Journalism - University of Maryland. It's sobering to think how much local news has been lost in the 10+ years I was a working journalist in that state. On what newsrooms in the state need the most, I agree with the author's assessment that they were "illuminating," besides more reporters: More digital and technical skills, website and technology improvements. This is precisely what we've heard from other small publishers as well, and why we design programs such as the The Knight x LMA BloomLab, Queer Media Lab, and others that focus on business transformation and technology training. This is also a theme of funding priorities for Press Forward as well. I'll take this needs assessment as good news, we're finding effective ways to help news organizations find a sustainable path forward. We just need more of it, and ecosystem leaders in Maryland need funding to execute on this as well: https://lnkd.in/gSD6QC5a