Good morning, all. Tom Jones is away from the newsletter today to focus on an upcoming Poynter project. Today’s edition was written by Kelly McBride, Nicole Slaughter Graham, Amaris Castillo and Ren LaForme.

Headlines about actor Michelle Trachtenberg’s death provide a window into journalism

In the wake of actor Michelle Trachtenberg’s death, many outlets published headlines referencing her most recognizable roles.

The New York Times cited her work in “Gossip Girl” and “Buffy.” The Associated Press mentioned “Buffy” and “Harriet the Spy.” NPR referenced “Harriet the Spy” and “Gossip Girl.”

Comparing and contrasting these headline choices provides a window into journalism, journalists and their audiences.

Headline writers knew that Trachtenberg’s name might not be immediately recognizable, even though she has a substantial body of work. So their goal was to cite one or two shows that audiences would be familiar with, even if they had not seen the work themselves.

A secondary goal is to mention the work that the Google algorithm will reward. “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” had more of a cult following. “Gossip Girl” was more mainstream.

The choices also might reflect the view of the journalists writing the headline, perhaps their ages and familiarity with Trachtenberg’s work. Though there were likely a lot of Slack conversations as the news broke on Thursday seeking input on which shows go in the headline and which go first.

I knew Trachtenberg as Dawn Summers, Buffy’s mysterious little sister.

By Kelly McBride, senior vice president and ethics chair

Government employees as … vulnerable sources?

It’s not hyperbole to say that changes are taking place within the federal government at a breakneck pace. ABC News reports that in a little over six weeks, more than 200,000 federal workers have been laid off or fired. Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency, has promised more cuts. Thus, the coverage continues.

Journalists are doing their best to balance their reporting between what’s happening and who’s affected. They should consider some advice that might be unexpected when reporting on government employees: Due diligence is required when working with vulnerable sources.

Yes, right now, as they lose their jobs, face retaliation and work through the stress and anxiety resulting from sweeping changes, government employees — including the high-profile names — are vulnerable sources.

Though it is nearly impossible to slow the pace of coverage needed at this moment, it’s important that reporters take a breath and remember what’s at stake for these sources.

• Lead with empathy. At a time when things feel especially precarious for the media, journalists have much in common with many federal workers as far as grappling with the unknown. It’s important to lean into that understanding and make sure empathy is centered in the reporting process.
• Be transparent from start to finish. Most federal workers have never spoken with a journalist. They don’t know the process. They might not understand how their quotes will be used in the finished piece. It’s important that reporters exercise transparency with sources.
• Talk to editors about anonymity. Some federal workers might want their story told but not want their name attached to it. Before a journalist starts the reporting process, it’s a good idea for them to check in with editors on the newsrooms’ specific policies around anonymity.

There are no formal guidelines when it comes to working with vulnerable sources, but there are ethical guidelines and best practices. Now is the time for a refresher.

By Nicole Slaughter Graham, staff writer

Mississippi judge lifts order that a newspaper remove editorial

A Mississippi judge this week vacated her order that a newspaper remove an editorial that criticized local officials.

Chancery Judge Crystal Wise Martin had issued a temporary restraining order against The Clarksdale Press Register — a weekly newspaper in Clarksdale, Mississippi — demanding that it remove from its website a Feb. 8 editorial titled “Secrecy, Deception Erode Public Trust.” The piece claimed the city’s mayor had not properly notified the public of a meeting on a proposed tax resolution sent to the Mississippi legislature.

The case drew national attention and widespread condemnation, with press groups describing it as a violation of the First Amendment. In a statement, National Press Club president Mike Balsamo called the judge’s order “unconstitutional.”

“If a judge can make journalism disappear with the stroke of a pen, what’s next?” he said. “A free press is not a privilege; it’s a right.”

According to WAPT, a television station based in Jackson, Mississippi, the city of Clarksdale had sued Delta Press Publishing over the editorial, accusing the Press Register of defamation. The city later withdrew the suit.

“It is so unusual to do a restraining order on an article. That’s just almost unheard of,” John Wyatt Emmerich, owner of the newspaper, told the station. “Maybe for a military national secret, maybe you might get a restraining order, but this is extremely unusual. It’s bizarre because we had already published the editorial. So to get a restraining order not to publish something that’s already published is kind of silly.”

By Amaris Castillo, staff writer 

Counting down to something special

Tom Jones here. Thanks to my colleagues for picking up today’s newsletter. I spent Thursday, along with Poynter’s superb managing editor Ren LaForme, putting the finishing touches on the launch of a very special project that you will start to see on Monday. As you might have heard, Poynter is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025 and we think we’ve come up with a cool way to commemorate the occasion.

It’s a project that we will carry out throughout the rest of the year, and there will even be ways for you to get involved.

Be sure to check out a special edition of this newsletter on Monday for all the details, including the launch of … The Poynter 50. OK, that’s all I can say for now. See you Monday.

By Tom Jones, senior media writer

Media tidbits and links for your weekend review

• The New York Times’ Peter Baker with “In Trump’s Washington, a Moscow-Like Chill Takes Hold.”
• Axios’ Alex Isenstadt writes “White House briefs conservative influencers on Epstein files.”
• NPR public editor (and Poynter ethics chair) Kelly McBride with “We can't answer audience questions about #DefundNPR without talking about the larger implications for public media.”
• Speaking of NPR, here’s media correspondent David Folkenflik with “NPR's chief diversity officer to retire, with DEI in the political spotlight.”
• And “Throughline,” an NPR podcast, did a deep dive into the history of the anti-vaccine movement, which actually wasn’t anti-vax at all.
• 404 Media’s Jason Koebler writes, “Instagram ‘Error’ Turned Reels Into Neverending Scroll of Murder, Gore, and Violence.”
• Outstanding interactive graphics and reporting from The New York Times’ Brian M. Rosenthal, Mark Hansen and Jeremy White: “Organ Transplant System ‘in Chaos’ as Waiting Lists Are Ignored.”
• A painful satirical headline from The Onion: “Pulitzer Feeling Increasingly Out Of Place In Washington Post Office.”
• Huh! Didn’t have this one on our bingo card.

More resources for journalists

• Gain a deeper understanding of Polarization in America and Christian Nationalism. Enroll now.
• Elevate your editing expertise with the Poynter ACES Advanced Certificate. Enroll now.
• Ditch work-life balance for a more sustainable approach. Sign up for this six-week email course to discover the unique formula that helps you thrive.
• Get an AI ethics framework for your newsroom. Start here.

Have feedback or a tip? Email Poynter senior media writer Tom Jones at [email protected].