The Hill, The Atlantic and POLITICO are among the news organizations offering sponsorships opportunities for events at the Republican and Democratic National Conventions later this month. In many cases, special interests are footing the bill. Is it a conflict of interest or creative way to create and alternative revenue stream… or both?
Lee Fang, The Intercept: “Major political news outlets offer interviews for sale at DNC and RNC conventions”
FOIA changes on the 50th anniversary
Luis Ferre Sadurni, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press: “President Obama signs FOIA reform bill into law on 50th anniversary”
Shan Wang, Nieman Journalism Lab: “Obama signs FOIA reform bill into law, paving the way for more (and hopefully fulfilled) records requests”
Jason Leopold, Vice News: “Obama just made it much easier for the public to access government records”
The White House: “Fact Sheet: New steps toward ensuring openness and transparency in government”
Alex Howard, Sunlight Foundation Blog: “The White House must release guidance on open government plans”
Alex Howard, Sunlight Foundation: “In a victory for open government, President Obama signs FOIA reform law”
Society of Professional Journalists: “SPJ: Signing of FOIA Improvement Act of 2106 a step in the right direction”
Rudi Keller, Caitlin Campbell and Alan Burdziak, Columbia Daily Tribune: “Columbia Police demand $4,300 to see Sunshine Law records”
Rudi Keller, Caitlin Campbell and Alan Burdziak, Columbia Daily Tribune: “Government entities provide varying responses to Sunshine Law requests”
Garrison Keillor says goodbye
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H97VQ6xz81k
Brian Stelter, CNN Money: “Garrison Keillor says goodbye to ‘Prairie Home Companion’”
Bryan Alexander, USA Today: “Garrison Keillor leaves his ‘Prairie Home’ after 42 years”
Scott Simon, NPR: “A fond farewell to Garrison Keillor’s ‘Prairie Home’”
Steve Johnson, Chicago Tribune: “Good riddance, Garrison Keillor? Ira Glass, for one, disagrees”
Grand Forks Herald: “Lake Wobegone wonders: 10 musings on Garrison Keillor”
Betty Lotterman, Minneapolis Star Tribune: “A listener’s lifetime with ‘A Prairie Home Companion’”
Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times: “In defense of Garrison Keillor: His polarizing ‘Prairie Home Companion’ ends this weekend… in Hollywood”
Syed to get new trial
Jonah Engel Bromwich & Liam Stack, New York Times: “Adnan Syed, of ‘Serial’ podcast, gets retrial in murder case”
Who needs Facebook? We do.
Jasper Jackson, The Guardian: “Facebook to prioritise post from friends rather than brands”
Alyssa Bereznak, The Ringer: “Facebook’s fickle stance on publishers and its news feed”
Joshua Benton, Nieman Journalism Lab: “Facebook is making its News Feed a little bit more about your friends and a little less about publishers”
Matt Rosoff, Business Insider: “Why Facebook is so terrifying to media companies”
Benjamin Mullin, Poynter: “In a blow to publishers, Facebook tweaks News Feed to emphasize friends over news”
Mike Issac, New York Times: “Still want to get news on Facebook? Read all about it”
E-Sports go mainstream
Ed Sherman, Poynter: “Why is ESPN covering e-sports? ‘It has everything our fanbase is interested in”
Rose Schmidt, KOMU-TV: “Columbia College unveils competitive video game program”
Daniel Christian, Vox Magazine: “Columbia College begins an e-sport scholarship program”
Showing old fireworks
Bill Chappell, NPR: “Should PBS have shown old fireworks footage in its July 4th show?”
Emily Yahr, Washington Post: “PBS used some stock footage for its fireworks show, and people were not happy”
Emily Yahr, Washington Post: "We know you're angry -- but PBS did the right thing to 'fake' their fireworks"
J.D. Durkin, Mediaite: “’Fake Footage!’: PBS gets blasted for airing old fireworks broadcast due to inclement weather”