Poynter's AI experts have advice for newsrooms that haven't yet started thinking through their AI ethics: It's time to start. Email not displaying correctly?
View it in your browser ([link removed]) .
[link removed]
Alex Mahadevan (left) speaks during a panel at the Poynter Summit on AI, Ethics & Journalism in June. (Chris Kozlowski)
A cautionary tale for newsrooms working without an AI ethics policy net
News broke this month about a reporter in Wyoming resigning after allegedly using AI to generate quotes ([link removed]) in his reporting.
AI experts at Poynter weren’t surprised that it ended up being a national media story ([link removed]) .
“One of the concerns I have is that smaller newsrooms don’t feel an urgency to adapt AI policies because it feels like a ‘big media’ problem,” said Alex Mahadevan, director of Poynter’s MediaWise. “The events in Wyoming demonstrated that newsrooms of all sizes need to commit to establishing rules around AI’s use.”
He said that news organizations with smaller audiences might feel that they lack the resources or understanding to tackle an emerging technology, but tackle it they must.
“While AI might seem daunting to newsrooms that are already resource-stretched, it’s helpful to remember that AI is just the latest in a long series of technologies that have had the capacity to change the way the news media does business — like the advent of television, the internet and mobile phones,” he said. “We know from experience that the smart money around emerging technology is to stay current, be transparent with audiences, and attempt to make smart choices that will benefit our newsrooms and bottom lines.”
Mahadevan was one of the authors of Poynter’s AI ethics policy starter kit ([link removed]) , which provides a template ([link removed]) for newsrooms of all sizes to create a custom AI ethics policy. He also recommended the upcoming Poynter course, Level Up: AI for Journalists ([link removed]) .
You can read more on our site ([link removed]) about Poynter’s commitment to helping journalists navigate AI through dedicated training, coverage and events.
FEATURED TRAINING
[link removed]
Power of Diverse Voices (2024)
In-person training, Nov. 12-15
St. Petersburg, Florida
This transformative, four-day seminar helps journalists of color find their voices and build skills for writing opinion pieces and personal essays.
Apply by Sept. 6. ([link removed])
Cost: Free.
APPLY NOW ([link removed])
[link removed]
Digital Transformation Program
Online group seminar
January-September, 2025
Poynter's Digital Transformation Program for public media, funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, builds on the success of the first Digital Transformation Program, which trained hundreds of leaders and station personnel, and led to millions in new digital revenue and users/subscribers.
Read more ([link removed]) about the program's two tracks and application process ([link removed]) , which closes Friday, Sept. 6.
Cost: Free.
READ MORE ([link removed])
[link removed]
Lead with Influence (October 2024)
Online group seminar
Wednesdays in October, 1-5 p.m. Eastern
This is an interactive, virtual training for all leaders who manage big responsibilities — such as processes, products or platforms — but have no direct reports.
Apply by Sept. 13. ([link removed])
Cost: $600.
APPLY NOW ([link removed])
[link removed]
** Essential Skills for Rising Newsroom Leaders (December 2024)
------------------------------------------------------------
In-person training, Dec. 2-6
St. Petersburg, Florida
Whether you’re a few years into your first management position or just starting your journey, this workshop will help you build a strong foundation and give you the tools to help your teams excel and succeed. Gain improved self-awareness and management tools that will begin paying dividends immediately. Apply by Oct. 11. ([link removed])
Cost: $1,500.
APPLY NOW ([link removed])
ADDITIONAL TRAINING
Beat Academy: Climate Change
Online group seminar
Sept. 12 at 1 p.m. Eastern
Connect with reporters and editors who will share the habits and practices that generate leads; talk about keeping our eyes open; and the explore reporting methods that turn nascent ideas into coverage that makes climate change real and relevant.
Cost: $75. Enroll anytime. ([link removed])
Work-Life Chemistry
Six-week newsletter course
Kristen Hare, who teaches and covers local news for Poynter, has spent years preaching this popular reframe for work-life balance. In this course, she'll walk you through discovering your formula, building it for growth and using it to combat burnout.
Cost: $50. Enroll anytime. ([link removed])
Immigration resources
Tip sheet and online self-directed course
Zita Arocha is a bilingual journalist, writer and educator who's offering her decades of expertise covering immigration to Poynter learners through her Immigration Matters ([link removed]) tip sheets and Understanding U.S. Immigration from the Border to the Heartland ([link removed]) , a free six-part, self-directed course.
Cost: Free.
Poynter ACES Certificates in Editing
Self-directed online courses
Our Introductory Certificate helps you achieve greater communications clarity; learn how to embrace accuracy and verification; gives you ways to perfect your grammar, word use and style; and imparts the skills you need to make you the kind of editor people are hungry to work with. $150 or $99 for ACES members.
The Intermediate Certificate goes deeper into topics like grammar, working with writers, ethics, law and tech, offering a thorough grounding in the skills editors need to succeed in today's news, corporate and freelance environments. $250 or $175 for ACES members. Learn more. ([link removed])
VIEW OUR TRAINING CATALOG ([link removed])
MORE FROM POYNTER
[link removed]
'Poynter is ready for the moment.'
Read our 2023-2024 impact report.
Poynter's four areas of work — teaching, informing, empowering and convening — are brought into focus in this overview of our work in 2023 and 2024.
READ THE REPORT ([link removed])
2024 Bowtie Ball honors Robin Roberts
Journalist, author, cancer survivor and "Good Morning America" cohost Robin Roberts is being honored in November ([link removed]) at the 2024 Bowtie Ball with the Poynter Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism.
Join us Nov. 16 to raise a glass to Roberts, journalism, truth and democracy.
GET TICKETS ([link removed])
[link removed]
Even the best of us get the cold shoulder from sources.
What should journalists do as they are increasingly shut out of efforts to cover public business and hold officials accountable?
Read out report, for one. Poynter convened a group of experts to engage in a discussion about this phenomenon and provide insights into what journalists can do about it.
“Shut Out: Strategies for good journalism when sources dismiss the press,” ([link removed]) makes the case that growing adversity from public officials toward journalists is damaging not just to the journalism industry, but detrimental to the public trust.
READ THE REPORT ([link removed])
FROM OUR NEWSROOM
• ‘Full-circle’ moment: Asian American journalists get engaged while co-emceeing gala ([link removed]) , by Doris Truong.
• Pressing for the release of Austin Tice, a dozen years after he was abducted ([link removed]) , by Tom Jones.
• What I learned about writing from watching the Olympic games ([link removed]) , by Roy Peter Clark.
[link removed]
Your donation makes a difference. Consider making a gift today!
GIVE NOW ([link removed])
CAREERS
Search our job board ([link removed]) for hundreds of opportunities in the industry — see examples below!
• Chief Executive Officer ([link removed]) , EdSource, Oakland, California
• OPS Outreach Coordinator for the Brechner Center ([link removed]) , University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
• Public Safety Reporter ([link removed]) , Steamboat Pilot & Today, Craig, Colorado
SEARCH FOR JOBS ([link removed])
ADVERTISE ([link removed]) // DONATE ([link removed]) // LEARN ([link removed]) // JOBS ([link removed])
Did someone forward you this email? Sign up here. ([link removed])
[link removed] [link removed] [link removed] [link removed] mailto:
[email protected]?subject=Feedback%20for%20Poynter
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
© All rights reserved Poynter Institute 2024
801 Third Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
If you don't want to receive email updates from Poynter, we understand.
You can change your subscription preferences ([link removed]) or unsubscribe from all Poynter emails ([link removed]) .
