Ryan Faughnder

As the U.S. Supreme Court readies for Friday's arguments on a federal law that would ban the social-media platform, Numerator highlights data on the app's use among demographics. https://lnkd.in/gBVw53vU

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You're probably already taking in a lot of information on how to cover this year's elections. These guides are aimed at helping you talk through that information with your news organization, and strategize or decide on how you'll navigate different scenarios long before they arise and leave you thinking, "I wish we'd talked about how we'd actually handle this." Our first two guides help you consider your coverage of misinformation and polling, and we've got more in the works! Let us know if there are other topics you'd like to see addressed.

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Nine guidelines help newsrooms evade advertising blocklists to protect their bottom line while also informing their audiences - the latest from RJI Fellow Andy Lee Roth https://lnkd.in/giWuHKKf

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Many writers and editors think the Associated Press Stylebook is against using the serial (Oxford) comma. That’s not true. AP style *does* recommend using the serial comma in complex lists. For example, if one of the items in a list contains a conjunction, AP style calls for a serial comma. Like this: Fritz enjoys snacking on bananas, cheese and crackers, and ice cream. Additionally, if the items in the list are long, AP style calls for a serial comma. Like this: Helen changed the car’s worn tire before embarking on her big road trip, Raul shined the fenders until he could see his reflection in them, and Sara double-checked all fluid levels. AP does not recommend using a serial comma in a simple list: Dante bought strawberries, sliced turkey and rye bread. This is in contrast to most other style guides, including The Chicago Manual of Style, which calls for a serial comma in all lists. To learn more differences between AP style and Chicago style, check out Dragonfly Editorial’s field guide on this very topic. It’s titled “AP Style and Chicago Style: 15 Major Differences,” and the link is in the comments.

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The introduction to a series of articles about creative writing and generative AI has been posted on Medium. The series will look at how ChatGPT 4 and Claude 3 can be used as writing assistants for writers who prefer one of these approaches to writing: - Pantsing Writing Method - Outlining Writing Method - Snowflake Writing Method - Snowball Writing Method - Snowplow Writing Method - Chapter-by-Chapter Writing Method https://lnkd.in/e3zARX-k

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As a writer who is always trying to become better at writing, I find Layachi's direct and unembellished narrative style inspirational. He recounts his day's activities in a matter-of-fact manner, using simple language and short sentences:

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Prometheus has been a divisive film for years now, but there's been a movement over the years to critically reevaluate it. To be blunt, I still think the movie has the same problems that have plagued it since 2012, but I forgot just how technically astounding the movie is to look at (and how far that takes Prometheus): https://lnkd.in/gHWvMh6c

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This is important for #communications pros and our subject matter experts to remember. An interview is a conversation not a rote question asked, prepared answer given. Using talking points rather than scripted answers is more effective for a SME and makes for a better interview. Unfortunately that path isn’t taken as often as it should be.

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My opinion in the ongoing battle between journalists and PR reps: please, please, please stop using AI. If a journalist is reaching out to you for comments, it's because your client is an expert in his/her field. To sully that expertise/reputation with ChatGPT-generated drivel is helping no one. You're wasting your clients' time, your time and ours. AI-written content is incredibly easy to detect: it reads too proper, too formal, it's SO boring. And if it's your client giving you AI-generated content, at least run it through a detector before passing it onto us. As an representative, it is very much your duty to protect their reputation and call them out internally. If you don't, it's just embarrassing for all parties involved. That's it, those are my two cents.

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It's official: You *can* fact-check presidential candidates during debates. But ABC News' decision to do so, which changes the format of such events, brings with it some criticism that may be hard to weather.... https://lnkd.in/e2ikk-xf #disney #newsmedia #journalism #media #abcnews #mediastrategy #mediaindustry

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Reposting Justin Arenstein's wise post and my comment to it: Justin, You are as ever, so right. Researching my books (The Gutenberg Parenthesis, Magazine, and, upcoming, The Web We Weave) I came to see that whenever there is an explosion of greater speech (print, the mechanization and industrialization of print, broadcast, the net) the first reflex is to panic and control, foolishly attempting to kill and prevent bad speech. The far better idea is to find and support good speech, as you say. That was the foundation of publishing and editing and the basis of the invention of the genre of the magazine. Yes, there is more chaff today. But that means there is also more wheat. The challenge and opportunity is to find it. I also agree with you about focusing on actors and behaviors over content. Finally, I get in trouble for saying this, but I am no fan of media- or news-literacy campaigns, for they are media-centric and self-serving, not public-centric, and besides, if the news needs a users' manual, perhaps we're doing it wrong. -jeff

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Just published this new H-Diplo|RJISSF Roundtable Review on Joseph Torigian's _Prestige, Manipulation, and Coercion_ https://lnkd.in/ecM-W4hf Introduction by Dorothy J. Solinger, University of California, Irvine, Emerita; Sheena Chestnut Greitens, University of Texas at Austin, Chris Miller, The Fletcher School, Tufts University, and Brian D. Taylor, Syracuse University; response by Joseph Torigian, American University. From the introduction "This is an extremely important book, which has received much attention—in journals, in speaking invitations for the author, and in the fellowships he has been awarded.[1] Its significance lies in the author’s argument that, unlike almost all previous scholarship on the subject of political succession in authoritarian and Communist regimes, it is not economic/material interests, policy differences, or rules and institutions that determine leadership turnover after the death of a dictator.[2] Critically, it is personal interactions among top Party personnel that shape what he terms “post-cult-of personality power struggles” (2). He also departs from the dominant understandings in the literature in that he finds that there was both no “selectorate” (a “formally defined group” which “has a say in who leads,” [5]) that engages in vote-seeking in the choice of the successor ruler as many have argued; nor was collective leadership practiced by the deceased leader’s successor, who, in all four of Torigian’s cases, governed according to their own views and whims, much like the strongmen they had replaced...."

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There's so much talk about using AI to generate content, especially now that tools like ChatGPT make it look so easy. But is that coming at a cost to the reader experience? I'm a huge fan of (properly using) AI. It's been great at summarizing meetings. I use it sometimes to generate headline ideas or to generate a first draft of social media copy. I'm legitimately amazed at how fast this technology is developing. But as someone who has been "generating content" for newspapers, websites, blogs and social media since MySpace was the dominant social platform, I see far too many companies rushing to adopt AI for content generation without question. It seems so easy — because it is. Upload some reputable, trustworthy data sources (at least, please tell me you're doing this), click a couple buttons and you've got a story ready to go! Unfortunately, going this route ignores a lot of success factors. - Is it going to rank on Google? (No — the algorithm wants human experience and expertise that AI can't magically generate.) - Is it something that will add value for your customers? (People don't really want to read awkward AI copy, and will just bounce.) - Is it going to read well? (Unless you're also a robot ... no.) Instead, use AI to *assist* human writers. It's great at summarizing interviews, gathering key data points and helping you brainstorm. It can generate a first draft that gives you a structure to work with, if you're stuck. AI is a wonderful tool as an assistant, but it's not a long-term content strategy. While the technology changes over time, one thing doesn't — people want to trust that the article they're reading will help them out. Seeing how often people add "Reddit" on the end of their Google searches just confirms this. If you really want to stand out among your competitors and get long-lasting results, don't use AI as a content generator. Use it to help your human writers and editors do their job better.

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I’m thrilled to share that public access to @biaskllrAI, is now open. A quick free account and you can be evaluating articles in less time than it takes to read this post. As many of you know, I’ve always been passionate about journalism and the integrity of the information we consume. That’s why myself and a few close friends built biaskllr/AI – to help you see through media bias and get to the heart of the truth. With our AI-powered analysis, you can now test any article and uncover the real story behind the headlines. Our goal? We want to fix the news. The news should be a safe haven for accurate and complete information. It should be accessible to anyone — regardless of your age, background, chosen set of political beliefs. If you have a moment, I kindly ask that you give biaskllrAI a try and support us in our mission. Your feedback would mean the world to me, and it could help us continue to refine and improve our tool. Together, we can restore trust in the news and empower people to make more informed decisions. Feel free to explore, share your thoughts, and spread the word out to your own network. 🌍 Thank you for your support. ✌🏻 🔗 https://biaskllr.ai #MediaLiteracy #Journalism #AI #TruthMatters #AItools #News

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Editing pet peeve: the goofy obsession with the Oxford comma. Oxford enthusiasts—whom I often refer to as "Oxfordnistas"—insist that the serial comma is the ultimate arbiter of clarity and slayer of ambiguity. And they demonstrate this overstated power through a series of reductionist—albeit humorous—memes. Below on the left is one such example. Again, this meme assuredly suggests a moment where a lack of a serial comma may confuse readers. Rather than express a list of the three, the Oxford-less sentence seems to imply an appositive suggesting the exotic dancers are, in fact, Stalin and JFK. But what happens if you change strippers (plural) to stripper (singular). One good contrived strawman argument deserves another, right? On the right is the counterpoint. Here, the sentence with the Oxford comma introduces ambiguity. Is that JFK on stage three collecting singles, or is somebody else? The trick is simple: When in doubt, rewrite. "We invited JFK, Stalin and the strippers." See how this is clearly a list of three? See how I didn't need the comma to do so? Ultimately, the Oxford comma is a stylistic convention, so it is a matter of personal preference. You can also write, "We invited JFK, Stalin, and the strippers." That *also* works. Either way, stop pretending that your prescriptivist take on the Oxford comma is holy writ. #Oxfordcomma

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A lack of transparency (certainly an ethical issue) damages trust, such as the failure to disclose Tweets and IG, Facebook, and blog posts resulting from payment in goods or stipends. The question is, do AI-generated advertising and marketing campaigns require the same level of disclosure? #AI #AImarketing #AIethics https://lnkd.in/gf59ifD9

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At CES 2025, panel experts with backgrounds in law, government affairs, public policy and creative representation emphasized AI’s dual role as a powerful tool for enhancing creativity. But they also noted the potential threat to human authorship and consent, particularly in generative AI’s replication of voices and images. Dr. Moiya M., Lisa Oratz, Chad Hummel, Paul Lekas and Duncan Crabtree-Ireland all contributed important points on the importance of this topic.

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🌍 The Importance of Diversity in Editorial Teams 🖋️ Diversity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s essential for creating impactful content. Here’s why: Broader Perspectives: Diverse teams bring a variety of viewpoints, enriching the content. Inclusive Content: Reflecting diverse voices ensures content resonates with a wider audience. Innovation: A mix of backgrounds and experiences leads to more creative solutions. Cultural Sensitivity: Diverse teams are better equipped to navigate complex cultural nuances. Embrace diversity to create content that truly connects! 🌟 #DiversityAndInclusion #EditorialTeams #InclusiveContent #Publishing

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