Gov. Jay Nixon announced a plan to create a Ferguson Commission on Tuesday. The newly-formed panel is charged with studying the social and economic conditions that led to the August shooting death of unarmed teen Michael Brown.
Why is Nixon doing this now? How might the timing be influenced by a New York Times report detailing leaks of evidence presented to the grand jury investigating the case that supports Officer Darren Wilson's recollection of events?
Brandie Piper, KSDK: “Nixon announces Ferguson Commission creation”
Trymaine Lee, MSNBC: “Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon unveils plan for Ferguson’s future”
Ben Kesling, Wall Street Journal: “Missouri governor announces creation of Ferguson Commission”
Staff reports, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: “Nixon announces commission to study issues raised by Ferguson”
Editorial, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: “Editorial: The governor creates a Ferguson Commission; St. Louis faces a defining moment”
Michael S. Schmidt, Matt Apuzzo & Julie Bosman, New York Times: "Police officer in Ferguson is said to recount a struggle"
Keene is not Ferguson
Police in Keene, New Hampshire arrested dozens after a street party turned violent. They used tear gas and rubber bullets to control the crowd, leading some to draw comparisons to the unrest in Ferguson.
WMUR-TV Video: Dozens arrested at Pumpkin Festival (via CNN)
Chris Caesar, Boston.com: “What the heck is going on at Keene State?”
The Stream, Al Jazeera: “Accusations of racial double standard hit #PumpkinFest media coverage”
Natasha Lennard, Vice News: “The great pumpkin riot is a riot worth taking seriously”
Emanuella Grinberg, CNN: “Why Pumpkin Fest riots are not like Ferguson”
Twitchy Staff, Twitchy: “Pumpkinfest vs. Ferguson: “Media called out for double standards”
Ben Axelson, Syracuse.com: “Keene Pumpkin Fest riot compared to Ferguson protests; racial questions raised”
Remembering Ben Bradlee
Ben Bradlee, former top editor at the Washington Post, died at his Washington, D.C. home Tuesday. He was 93 years old.
Bradlee ran the paper for more than 26 years, taking over in 1965, and transforming it into one of the nation's strongest daily newspapers of record.
Robert G. Kaiser, Washington Post: “Ben Bradlee, legendary Washington Post editor, dies at 93”
David Von Drehle, Time: “Ben Bradlee’s electric glow”
Alyssa Newcomb, ABC News: “Ben Bradlee, top Washington Post editor during Watergate, dies at 93”
Eyder Peralta, NPR: “Legendary ‘Washington Post’ editor Ben Bradlee has died”
Todd Purdum, Vanity Fair: “Legendary journalist Ben Bradlee dies at age 93”
Painful layoffs… CNN, Gannett, New York Times
WBIR Staff, WBIR: “Knoxville’s Metro Pulse newspaper staff laid off”
Paige Lavender, Huffington Post: “State senator taunts laid-off reporter: “So, do YOU have any comments now?”
Scott Jones, FTV Live: “CNN offering counseling to those pink slipped”
Chris Ariens, TV Newser: “CNN cancels ‘Crossfire,’ again”
Battle between NABJ, CNN
Last week, the National Association of Black Journalists issued a press release citing concern with the atmosphere and working conditions for African-Americans at the cable network. CNN responded by saying it was reconsidering its sponsorship of NABJ events.
Veronique Dodson, National Association of Black Journalists: “NABJconcerned about atmosphere at CNN for African Americans”
April Turner, National Association of Black Journalists: “CNN withdraws support of National Association of Black Journalists”
Erik Wemple, Washington Post: “NABJboss says CNN essentially called him a liar in dispute over diversity”
Richard Prince, Maynard Institute for Journalism Education: “Fired Black producer files $5 million lawsuit”
Richard Prince, Maynard Institute for Journalism Education: “CNN ‘reconsidering’ NABJ sponsorship”
Hadas Gold, POLITICO: “NABJ: CNN pulled support of convention”
Rebecca Carroll, New Republic: “I’m a Black journalist and I’m quitting because I’m tired of newsroom racism”
Hartford station makes history
Video: WFSB-TV introduces Mark Zinni
Scott Jones, FTV Live: “Hartford station makes history while introducing new anchor”
Advertising in the Associated Press Twitter Feed
On Tuesday, an advertisement showed up in the Associated Press's Twitter feed for the pharmaceutical company Merck. How different is this from television stations interrupting newscasts for commercial breaks or newspapers (or their websites) having display advertising?
Advertisement: During flu season, talk to your doctor about other recommended vaccines. Merck offers this guide: http://t.co/qdcZGXePir
— The Associated Press (@AP) October 21, 2014
Associated Press: "AP provides sponsored tweets during electronics show" (Janaury 2013)
Sun-Times sidelines reporter, endorses Rauner
Bruce Rauner is the Republican candidate looking to unseat Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn. He's received the endorsement of all eight of the state's major daily newspapers, including the Chicago Sun-Times. That's significant because the Rauner is a one-time investor in the paper's ownership group.
Meanwhile, one of the paper's political reporters has hired a former federal prosecutor with a track record of prosecuting corrupt politicians to investigate whether the Rauner camp attempted to squash a negative story about the candidate.
Rich Miller, Capitol Fax: “Sun-Times sidelined reporter after Rauner campaign intervention”
Carol Felsenthal, Chicago Magazine: “Did the Sun-Times just endorse Bruce Rauner?”
Jim Kirk, Chicago Sun-Times: “Election coverage fearless and fair”
Lynne Marek, Crain’s Chicago Business: “Did Rauner camp interfere with this Sun-Times reporter’s job?”
Dave McKinney, "Why I left"
Anna Clark, Columbia Journalism Review: “Why some newspapers are abandoning endorsements”
Keeping Ebola off campus
Several journalism schools at colleges and universities across the country have canceled speaking engagements with reporters, photographers and editors who have been working in West African countries. While it appears students seem to be against the move, administrators at both Syracuse University and University of Georgia have said they rescinded the speaker invitations after receiving complaints and concerns about the saftey of their campus communities.
Brad Schrade, Atlanta-Journal Constitution: “Ebola fear leads UGA to cancel Liberian journalist’s visit”
FPA Staff Report, FrontPageAfrica: “Georgia U. cancels FPA editor’s McGill Lectures over Ebola”
Mark Berman, Washington Post: “Syracuse University bravely saves students from exposure to journalism”
Jim Romenesko: “Syracuse University disinvites Washington Post photojournalist over Ebola fears”
Daily Orange Editorial Board, The Daily Orange: “Decision to disinvite photographer was fueled by Ebola hysteria”
Donald R. Winslow, NPPA: “Syracuse disinvites WashPost Pulitzer photographer due to Ebola fears”
Andrew Beaujon, Poynter: “Opinion: Why it’s so disappointing that J-Schools are panicking over Ebola”
Salem Solomon, Tampa Bay Times: "Column: In canceling African journalists' program, fear trumps reason"
New alternative for cord cutters
Both HBO and CBS have offered online-only subscriptions for potential viewers who don't want to pay for a full cable or satellite television package.
Emily Steel, New York Times: “Cord-cutters rejoice: CBS joins web stream”
Emily Steel, New York Times: “HBO plans new stream service, with eye on cord cutters”
Martin Peers, The Information: “HBO’s online pricing trap”
