Melissa Ludtke

About Melissa Ludtke

Melissa Ludtke was editor of Nieman Reports from 1998 to 2011.

Fall 2005: Words & Reflections Introduction

By Opinion September 15, 2005

In reflecting on the book, “A Matter of Opinion,” Ray Jenkins explains why its author, Victor S. Navasky, so strongly advocates “cutting-edge reporting, with an acknowledged point of view unrestrained by the demands of objectivity,” and shares experiences he … Read more

Fall 2005: Changing Newspapers, Changing News Introduction

By Journalist’s Trade September 15, 2005

In an effort to make decisions and activities transparent, Steven A. Smith, editor of The Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington, invites members of the public into morning news meetings, assigns five editors to be part of an online blog called “Ask the Editors” in which they explain news decisions, and welcomes the daily critique of five citizen bloggers as they share views about the newspaper’s efforts in an online feature called “News Is a Conversation.” As Smith writes, “In the transparent newsroom, citizens are partners in the news conversation, not just passive consumers of news and information.” Read more

Fall 2005: Introduction

By Features September 15, 2005

As a young reporter at The Rapid City Journal, Tim Giago was seldom allowed to cover stories on the nearby Pine Ridge Indian Reservation where he was raised. As one editor told him, being Native American meant he could not be objective in his reporting. In 1981 he moved back to the reservation to start a community newspaper called the Lakota Times. At that time it was the only independently owned weekly Indian publication in the United States. In this collection of stories, Native Americans and non-natives who tell stories about the lives of Indian peoples talk about their obligation to fairness and the skills they need to live up to this responsibility. Read more

Fall 2005: Comparing National and Local Campaign Coverage Introduction

By Journalist’s Trade September 15, 2005

As a young reporter at The Rapid City Journal, Tim Giago was seldom allowed to cover stories on the nearby Pine Ridge Indian Reservation where he was raised. As one editor told him, being Native American meant he could not be objective in his reporting. In 1981 he moved back to the reservation to start a community newspaper called the Lakota Times. At that time it was the only independently owned weekly Indian publication in the United States. In this collection of stories, Native Americans and non-natives who tell stories about the lives of Indian peoples talk about their obligation to fairness and the skills they need to live up to this responsibility. Read more

Summer 2005: Introduction

By Opinion June 15, 2005

Among the casualties of the invasion and occupation of Iraq have been truth and trust, according to Sig Christenson, military affairs writer for the San Antonio Express-News. After working as both an embedded and independent reporter in Iraq, he writes about the “propaganda war within Gulf War II,” explaining that “Its roots are in Ground Zero, and I have been a willing participant. So, too, were many other reporters.” – Melissa Ludtke, Editor Read more

Spring 2005: Words & Reflections Introduction

By Opinion March 15, 2005

Arguments for journalistic quality typically assert the importance of First Amendment responsibilities. In his book, “The Vanishing Newspaper: Saving Journalism in the Information Age,” Philip Meyer, Knight Chair in Journalism at the University of North Carolina, argues the case for … Read more