By Matt Carroll <@MattCData>

Dec. 16, 2017: Cool stuff about journalism, once a week. Get notified via email? Subscribe: 3toread (at) gmail. Originally published on 3toread.co

1. How the WaPo broke the Roy Moore story: First, this is interesting piece for journalists curious about how the WaPo got the story. But secondly — and maybe more importantly — it’s eye opening for people outside the business, who might wonder how “sausage is made.” It’s the Post’s first story in what will be a series in “deconstructing the journalistic process.” It’s also a great example of how newsrooms can be more transparent and can increase trust when the public has become increasingly skeptical and cynical about the media.

2. Scandal at the NYT: Investigation into allegations against star reporter Glenn Thrush: There’s no shortage of irony here. The New York Times, after all, kicked off the blistering #metoo movement with its incredible reporting on Weinstein. Now, one of its star White House reporters has been suspended after a report in Vox about how Thrush allegedly made moves on younger female reporters. This Vanity Fair piece by Joe Pompeo describes a strong response from the NYT: Dozens interviewed in rigorous interviews. Stay tuned.

3. How Bannon, Milo & Breitbart declared war on Twitter: BuzzFeed has written a fascinating inside look at how Breitbart’s Steve Bannon roared into battle against Twitter, convinced that the tweet machine was blocking conservative voices and banning his employees, including then-star Milo Yiannopoulos. “Should we sue Twitter?” Yiannopoulos wrote in an email to Bannon. “Already talked to lawyers,” replied Bannon. A tale about how Bannon unleashed Breitbart against Twitter, trying their best to hurt the social network. Great work by Joseph Bernstein and Ryan Mac.

BTW: Taking holiday time. Next post on Jan. 13.

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Matt Carroll teaches journalism at Northeastern University. Twitter: @MattcData. Instagram: mattcarroll54.

Logo by Leigh Carroll <Instagram: @Leighzaaah>

By Matt Carroll <@MattCData>

Nov. 11, 2017: Cool stuff about journalism, once a week. Get notified via email? Subscribe: 3toread (at) gmail. Originally published on 3toread.co

1. The angry, witty, adventurous life of journalist Jay Caspian Kang: I’ll be upfront: I’d never heard of Kang before this sprawling (and wonderful) profile by Karen K. Ho for CJR. Kang writes on topics ranging from sports to race. His excerpts are full passion and voice (below). After reading this bio, I’ll be digging deep into his work, starting with his profile of the inimitable boxing promoter Don King.

Jay Caspian Kang: “The Chinese aren’t creative enough, the Nips don’t have the balls or the specific brand of Korean crazy, which is really just the same as Irish crazy, because both peoples come from small countries oppressed for hundreds of years by assholes across the way. Both peoples grew up under the eye of the crown or the fucking emperor and learned to suppress everything, especially anger, until they no longer could distinguish what was what, and could walk around angry without recognizing anger as anger. And the prescription for whatever else was drinking.”

2. In defense of neutrality: Why news orgs are right to crack down on social media: Let’s face it: How journalists and newsrooms handle posts to social media is a landmine just waiting to blow. But it’s also clear that policies vary widely from newsroom to newsroom. Dan Kennedy, a colleague of mine at Northeastern U, argues that the NYT and WSJ are right to keep their reporters on the straight and narrow. And leaving opinions out of it is just fine with Dan.

3. Trump’s message of mistrust is sinking in, even in journalism’s new ‘golden age’ Sorry to depress you a bit, but this is smart piece from Margaret Sullivan at the WaPo about how the brilliant journalism being done these days is not nearly enough to offset how many people trust the media less and less. Ugh, but important.

FYI: No ‘3 to read’ next week.

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Matt Carroll teaches journalism at Northeastern University.