Around the Wire: Social Media on the Front Lines, Contently Launches Investigative Journalism Foundation & More Media News
Welcome to the latest installment of Around the Wire, PR Newswire’s round up of journalism, blogging, and freelancing news from the past week.
Image by Petteri Sulonen/Flickr; used under CC BY 2.0 License
1. At Front Lines, Bearing Witness in Real Time (New York Times)
In his latest Media Equation column, David Carr reflects on the recent uptick of photos and tweets he’s seen from Ukraine, Gaza, and other battle zones. “Bearing witness is the oldest and perhaps most valuable tool in the journalist’s arsenal, but it becomes something different delivered in the crucible of real time, without pause for reflection,” he writes. His column and Mathew Ingram’s followup on Gigaom demonstrate how social media has changed war reporting for the better.
2. Upcoming #ConnectChat: Adding Humor to Your Writing (ProfNet)
Even if you don’t consider yourself a funny person, there are tips and tricks you can use to inject humor into your writing. Michele “Wojo” Wojciechowski, an award-winning freelance writer, author, and humorist, will join the ProfNet #ConnectChat on Aug. 5 to share her advice to make humor work for you.
3. The Blog Your Blog Could Look Like: Data on the Impact of Evergreen Content (HubSpot)
“Not all blog posts are created equal,” writes HubSpot’s Connor Sullivan. He compares the traffic patterns of timely versus evergreen content and demonstrates how to build a successful blog by leveraging content that maintains long-term relevance.
4. ‘Last Best News’ Shows How Personal Brand Journalism Works in Local Markets (PBS MediaShift)
Journalists like Ezra Klein and Nate Silver have built names for themselves that carry on long after they move to other publications. But the national media stage isn’t the only place where journalists are developing strong personal brands. In this Q&A, Montana journalist Ed Kemmick discusses how his City Lights column and blog helped him build a following within his local community, and how he transferred that brand success to his news site Last Best News.
5. Contently Launches A Nonprofit Arm To Do Investigative Journalism (Forbes)
It’s costly to produce investigative journalism, and many traditional news outlets no longer are investing in it because other content yields more tangible benefits. Recognizing the issue, content marketing company Contently has launched the nonprofit Contently Foundation to focus on social justice investigative journalism. Helmed by editor Brad Hamilton, the organization is “our way of planting trees as a company,” said Contently co-founder Shane Snow to Forbes.
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Amanda Hicken is a media relations manager with PR Newswire for Journalists. Follow her at @ADHicken for tweets about the media, comic books, and her love of Cleveland.
