Second Rough Draft

Second Rough Draft is a Substack focused on the challenges and evolving landscapes of journalism, including ownership influence, ethical reporting, funding models, audience engagement, technology's impact, and diversity within newsrooms. It critically examines these themes in the context of contemporary issues and offers insights into improving journalistic practices.

Journalism ethics Media ownership Funding and subsidies for journalism Audience engagement and impact Technological impact on journalism Legal and policy issues in media Newsroom diversity

The hottest Substack posts of Second Rough Draft

And their main takeaways

What Just Happened at the LA Times?

235 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24

Ownership plays a crucial role in the success of a publication.
Investing in technological advancement and staff is necessary for newspaper sustainability.
Diversity and union collaboration are important factors in newsroom success.

A Lesson from the University Mess: Beware the Forces of One Dollar, One Vote

235 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Journalism Independence Funding

Independence is crucial in funding for universities and journalism.
Funding should not entitle donors to govern or dictate.
It's essential to be cautious of the influence of donors on non-profit organizations.

Taking That James Bennet Article Seriously

255 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Political Bias Debate

Critique of James Bennet's article on New York Times culture and editorial decisions
Discussion on the importance of diverse opinions and balanced reporting in journalism
Exploration of liberalism and illiberalism in newsrooms and universities

How to Share Bad News with a Newsroom (and How Not to)

157 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24

💼 Business Communication Transparency Management Companies

Be transparent when sharing bad news with your newsroom - journalists are professional skeptics and value honesty.
If you have multiple problems, address them separately to avoid confusion and speculation among your team.
Establish a culture of transparency in your newsroom to minimize surprises and build trust with your team.

Is Biden Too Old? Could We Try Reporting That Out?

196 implied HN points • 26 Oct 23

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Age Journalism Presidency Health Cognitive abilities

Joe Biden is the oldest president in US history, nearing 81.
The age issue with Biden is a concern due to his appearance and health concessions.
There is a lack of journalistic inquiry and reporting on whether Biden is still fit for his job.

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You Should Know Who’s Funding Your Local Paper

235 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23

📰 News Journalism Transparency Funding Philanthropy

Nonprofit ownership of local newspapers is beneficial but requires transparency in funding sources.
Transparency in newspaper ownership funding helps maintain trust and credibility in the press.
Disclosing the donors of nonprofit newspaper ownership signals independence and strengthens public confidence.

Great Newspapers and the Problem of Underspending Billionaires

373 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23

📰 News Journalism Newspapers Billionaires Investments Ownership

When billionaires buy failing newspapers, they may not invest enough for long-term success.
Newspapers like Washington Post and LA Times are facing issues due to underspending by their billionaire owners.
Innovation and genuine investment are essential for newspapers to thrive under billionaire ownership.

A Local News Funder Talks Candidly About National and Local Funding

157 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23

📰 News Journalism Funding Local news

Increasing overall pie for media funding is essential for sustaining local journalism.
National funders need to understand the constraints of local funders when supporting journalism.
Building a successful national-local coalition requires listening, offering support, and respecting local expertise.

Journalism and the Unmaking of Elon Musk

353 implied HN points • 25 May 23

💼 Business Media Wealth Journalism Innovation Failure

Journalism should not suspend skepticism when reporting about wealthy individuals.
Reporters often mistakenly equate business success with personal greatness.
Skepticism and intolerance for hyperbole are crucial traits for journalists covering influential figures.

Thinking About AI and the Business of News

137 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23

💼 Business Technology AI Journalism Innovation Legislation

It's important for news organizations to ensure they have the right talent to understand and implement AI technology.
News organizations should have a forward-thinking mindset to adapt to technological changes and not resist innovation.
Legal considerations surrounding AI, such as copyrightability and licensing agreements, will play a crucial role in shaping the future of news publishing.

Confronting Three Hard Questions About Audience

235 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23

📰 News Journalism Media Audience Impact Transparency

Audience size matters, but quality of engagement is crucial too.
Align your audience building strategy with the impact you seek.
Avoid preaching to the choir to broaden impact and understanding.

Lessons From the End of Newspaper Sports Coverage

157 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23

💼 Business Media Journalism Local news

Local newspaper sports coverage is ending due to changes in printing locations and earlier press deadlines.
Nationalization of news, including sports, is increasing, impacting local news coverage.
Shifts towards national sports coverage are affecting local publishers and tightening the financial pressure on newspaper publishers.

How to Better Cover the Crimes of Donald Trump

216 implied HN points • 11 May 23

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Journalism Coverage Trump Election

Former President Donald Trump has faced serious accusations and legal issues, such as being branded a sexual abuser and being involved in criminal tax fraud.
Journalists must be vigilant in not becoming desensitized to significant news events, like the need to continuously report on the context and implications of Trump's actions.
Coverage of political figures like Trump should focus on the stakes of their actions rather than simply the odds, ensuring that the public is well-informed for important decisions.

Public Radio and Broadcast TV Aren’t (Yet) the Answer to the Local News Problem

216 implied HN points • 04 May 23

📰 News Local news Journalism Media

Recent scholarship cautions against relying on public radio and broadcast TV for local news.
Local public radio stations often lack the resources to provide substantial daily news coverage.
Local TV news tends to focus on crime and weather rather than local government, potentially impacting civic engagement.

Newsroom Diversity Will Require Union Flexibility

137 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Diversity Affirmative Action Labor Unions Journalism

Newsroom diversity is being challenged by recent court rulings against affirmative action.
Labor unions may need to adjust their rules to preserve diversity in newsrooms during layoffs.
Implementing economic affirmative action can help promote diversity by favoring applicants from lower income or wealth backgrounds.

It’s the First Budget Season of the AI Revolution

137 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23

🕹 Technology AI Journalism Budgeting Generative AI

The generative AI revolution is considered the biggest turning point in technology since the Nineties with significant implications.
Artificial Intelligence offers cost-saving opportunities but also presents hard choices in terms of reallocating resources.
AI can enhance journalistic capabilities by creating new versions of stories at low costs and opening the door to new audiences.

If Cable News is Dying, Here Are Four Reasons Why

157 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23

📰 News Journalism Media Current affairs

Good journalism doesn't always lead to good ratings.
Advertisers and viewers want different things from cable news.
News fatigue is causing viewers to turn away from cable news.

A Smart Way to Subsidize Local Journalism, and a Less Smart One

176 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23

📰 News Journalism Advertising Government Local Media

Government advertising can be a valuable source of revenue for local journalism.
Implementing safeguards is crucial to prevent new forms of cronyism.
The future of local journalism relies on creative public policy approaches that serve broader interests.

Why Fox Will Settle the Dominion Case

176 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Legal Politics Journalism Democracy

Dominion should settle to avoid long legal battles and risk of reduced award
Fox should settle to avoid potential larger trial verdict and public acknowledgment of falsehoods
A settlement in the Dominion-Fox case could help strengthen libel law and discourage misinformation