Reexamining objectivity: For many journalists, objectivity is seen as a fundamental part of our work. However, in a New York Times op-ed published last week, CBS journalist Wesley Lowery challenged those notions of objectivity, arguing that the standards for neutrality and objectivity in journalism are based on the perspective of white reporters, editors and readers, and that they don’t necessarily reflect the realities of people of color. His piece details his experiences working as a black journalist and examines whether the media’s pursuit of neutrality is preventing journalists from holding powerful figures to account.

Local news desertification: A new report from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill announced a grave forecast for local publications: almost a quarter of newspapers in the U.S. have failed over the past 15 years. News deserts, or areas without any local news coverage, have also been growing, and now encompass more than 200 counties. However, there has also been a bigger emphasis on saving local news with the launch of programs like the Journalism Crisis Project. Writing for Poynter, Tom Stites takes a look at what the future may hold for local news.

Blackface & Backlash: A week after then-NBC morning talk show host Megyn Kelly defended the use of blackface on air, a woman named Sue Schafer showed up to a halloween party at a friend’s house, wearing blackface and a Megyn Kelly nametag. Two weeks ago, a 3,000-word story about the incident appeared in The Washington Post’s Style section. However, the piece has received pushback from journalists questioning the piece’s newsworthiness, given that the subject was not a public figure and the incident occurred two years prior. Writing for New York Magazine, Josh Barro and Olivia Nuzzi dissect the piece and the series of events that led to its publication.

By Maya Homan & Matt Carroll