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Week of Sept. 15 - 21: Get support and resources to cover critical moments
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THIS WEEK'S TL;DR:
Help to edit sensitive moments; connect Washington decisions to local stories; learn to automate repetitive tasks; time running out to craft your story; inform your approach to covering women in the justice system
This is one of those moments when political rhetoric is loud, fast-moving and often confusing. Journalists are under pressure to provide context, clarity and fairness — and that’s where copy editors prove indispensable.
“When people in the audience are angry, it increases the chances that they will misinterpret a writer's intentions, particularly when the words are clumsy or the sentences are poorly structured,” said Kelly McBride, Poynter’s senior vice president and chair of the Craig Newmark Center for Ethics and Leadership.
“A competent layer of editing is absolutely critical in these moments, whether it's self-editing or bringing in a separate pair of eyes."
Poynter’s resources to support editors in complex times include:
Jon Greenberg, reporter and faculty member focused on topics critical to American life, shared his thoughts on how to cover political polarization.
“The most important step is to avoid using labels and instead, relay what people have said and done. Rather than tag someone as an extremist, quote them. Give examples of the bills, policies or protests they have supported. Be concrete and let your audience decide where these views fit on the political spectrum,” Greenberg said.
“You can be similarly cautious about categorizing someone as ‘right’ or ‘left’, ‘conservative’ or ‘liberal.’ This will require more words, but it’s almost always best to ditch the shortcuts.”
Poynter’s resources for reporters and assigning editors covering topics dominating headlines now include:
Remember, when in doubt, use good news judgement. Rely on these resources to ensure truth is delivered with care to your community. |
Webinar
Thursday, Sept. 18, 1 p.m. Eastern
Free
Learn how to track and interpret federal actions so you can connect the dots between national policy shifts and the realities your audience faces. We’ll break down the legal frameworks at play, show how state governments can push back or comply, and give you practical tools to localize complex national stories.
Tune in live: Sept. 18.
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Online workshop
Oct. 6 - 27, 2025
$499
Master essential memoir writing skills from genre selection and scene creation to research techniques and book proposal development. Join our first-ever cohort on Mondays in October and learn to craft the story only you can tell.
Deadline: Sept. 19.
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📍 Diversity Leadership Academy
Nov. 3 - 7, 2025
$1350
Last chance: This weeklong workshop in St. Petersburg, Florida, provides the tools for diverse leaders to navigate complexity and drive meaningful change in their newsrooms.
🥳 Poynter’s 2025 Bowtie Ball
Nov. 15
$400
Celebrate Poynter’s 50th anniversary at the 2025 Bowtie Ball, honoring Jane Pauley alongside Dean Baquet and G.B. “Garry” Trudeau. This signature evening brings together civic leaders, journalists and supporters to champion a free press. Secure your spot now for an unforgettable night of recognition and community in Tampa.
📍 Essential Skills for New Managers (December 2025)
Dec. 1 - 5, 2025
$1,550
This dynamic five-day workshop provides the critical skills new managers need to help forge successful paths to leadership in journalism, media and technology. Apply by Oct. 3. |
📍 Women and prisons: Covering the impact of incarceration
Noon Eastern, Oct. 23 and Oct. 30
Free
Get research and tips on the unique trends, drivers and impact of female incarceration. Five $10,000 reporting grants are available.
📍 Beat Academy: Tracking climate change rollbacks
1 p.m. Eastern; Oct. 16
Free
Track what projects and programs in your state or municipality are underway, at risk, or cancelled with The Clean Economy Tracker from Atlas Public Policy. Lean how to use the tool and hear from journalists who have turned the data into stories and broader coverage.
📍 Will Work for Impact: Fundamentals of Investigative Journalism
Oct. 2 - 30, 2025
$499
Limited spots remain: ProPublica's Alexandra Zayas leads live Thursday sessions where you'll dissect award-winning investigations, complete weekly assignments and receive direct feedback on your work. |
Poynter has created this store as a service to help you show your Poynter pride! Poynter receives minimal revenue from sales. To support Poynter’s mission financially, go to poynter.org/give. |
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