Nieman Reports

Spring 2012

What Would You Change If You Were Back In Charge

Looking back what would they do differently? Six editors take a hard look at newspapers and what it will take for them to stay alive. More investigative journalism, more training, and an embrace of digital initiatives are among the priorities they’d have if they were back in charge. What resonates throughout their essays is the need for coverage that helps citizens and democracy thrive.

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Cover Story: Moving Forward

Challenging Ideas

By Ann Marie Lipinski• From the Curator• March 19, 2012

Looking Back, Seeing Today

By Amanda Bennett• Opinion• March 19, 2012

Between September 2001 and November 2006, I was editor of two Knight Ridder papers, first the Lexington Herald-Leader and then The Philadelphia Inquirer. It was a period of intense turmoil. Today Knight Ridder no longer exists. My job as … Read more

The Overlooked “People Piece”

By Skip Perez• Opinion• March 19, 2012

‘… the right kind of training will boost morale and reward the news organization with dedicated staffers itching to tackle groundbreaking assignments.’ Read more

Speak Loudly, Move Nimbly

By Ronnie Agnew• Opinion• March 19, 2012

‘Lead the community through the newspaper’s strong editorial voice. … Find out what works on the Web for your market, and exploit it.’ Read more

A Bridge to the Future

By Timothy A. Franklin• Journalist’s Trade• March 19, 2012

Instead of printing the paper every day, ‘we would provide to our subscribers an e-reader such as a Kindle or a Nook. This serves the dual purpose of strengthening our print editions on key days and building an e-reading habit …’ Read more

Turn the Newsroom Inside Out

By Mike Pride• Features• March 22, 2012

‘The goal would be to enlist the public in expanding local sports and photography while reducing the role of professional journalists in these areas.’ Read more

Empty Nest Syndrome

By Mike Pride• Opinion• March 19, 2012

RELATED ARTICLE “Turn the Newsroom Inside Out” – Mike PrideLike any institution, today’s Concord Monitor is captive to past decisions. Just over two decades ago, before cell phones and the … Read more

Community Outreach and The Los Angeles Times

By James O’Shea• Features• March 19, 2012

‘The Los Angeles Times is still uniquely positioned to fill a huge public need—aggressive coverage of California, a state with problems that equal its heft, a state hit particularly hard by the recession …’ Read more

The Great Young Hope

By James O’Shea• Technology• March 19, 2012

I wish I could say that revolutionizing newsrooms like the one I left at the Los Angeles Times in January 2008 is all that’s needed to change the fortunes of American journalism. But I can’t. RELATED ARTICLE … Read more

“Blowing Up the Newsroom” (and Other Thoughts on Survival)

Opinion• March 19, 2012

We invited members of the American Society of News Editors to say what one change they’d most like to make to their newspaper. Their answers ranged from a return to basics to breaking down the divide between editorial and advertising. Read more

Features

Global Health: A Story Rarely Told

By Stefanie Friedhoff• Features• March 19, 2012

‘Today while billions of dollars [in aid] are lost to corruption and dysfunction — and billions more save many lives — both traditional and new media are too often missing this important story altogether.’ Read more

‘What Gets Attention, Gets Funded’

By Stefanie Friedhoff• Features• March 19, 2012

RELATED … Read more

Common Ground

By Anja Niedringhaus• Features• March 19, 2012

Anja Niedringhaus has worked on the frontlines of many major conflicts over the past two decades. Here she reflects on work from her new book “At War.” Read more

Gay Talese: The New York Observer

By Paige Williams• Features• March 19, 2012

Gay Talese helped launch literary journalism in 1966 when Esquire published his profile “Frank Sinatra Has a Cold.” He shares his thoughts on the craft. Read more

Books

To Kill a Story

By Steve Weinberg• Books• March 19, 2012

After Chauncey Bailey was murdered, journalists banded together to finish his investigation. Read more

Facing Putin

By Jonathan Seitz• Books• March 14, 2012

Masha Gessen on the Russian leader’s totalitarian regime and the weaknesses of U.S. media coverage of her country Read more

Facing Putin (Extended Interview)

By Jonathan Seitz• Books• March 20, 2012

Masha Gessen on the Russian leader's totalitarian regime and the weaknesses of U.S. media coverage of her country. Read more

In Every issue

The Jukebox in My Mind

By Gwen Thompkins• Opinion• March 21, 2012

The playlist in East Africa is full of surprises. Read more

Fall 2010: Class Notes

By Jan Gardner• Nieman Notes• September 17, 2010

Niemans Entering and Leaving Office in Colombia Juan Manuel Santos, NF ’88, was elected president of Colombia in June, and he was sworn into office in August. Santos, who received 69 percent … Read more

Honoring a Pioneering Journalist from Libya

By Jan Gardner• International Journalism• March 19, 2012

Mohammed Nabbous, honored posthumously; his widow Samra Naas; and their daughter Mayar. Photo by Lisa Abitbol (right). During the early days of Libya’s revolution, Mohammed “Mo” Nabbous was the first in his country … Read more

Ann Curry Speaks of Trauma and Promise in 31st Morris Lecture

By Jonathan Seitz• Live @ Lippmann• March 19, 2012

Ann Curry, a “Today” co-anchor, talked about some of the foreign stories she has reported that have mattered most to her. Photo by Lisa Abitbol. “Why do we do it?” Ann Curry asked that question … Read more

The Wide Web of Innovation

Journalist’s Trade• March 19, 2012

In chronicling the evolution of news, the Nieman Journalism Lab tracks start-ups, identifies innovations, and shares lessons about how quality journalism can thrive in the Internet age. Not every success can be duplicated in another market or niche but by … Read more

End Note: The Fine Art of Reinvention

By Frank Van Riper• Visual Journalism• March 19, 2012

An invitation to lead a photo tour of Venice is a turning point. Read more

March 21, 2023

Dispatches From a World of Opportunity