Good morning. Here are 11 media stories.
- Protecting the free press
Associated Press Chief Executive Officer Gary Pruitt called for an international legal standard of punishment for people who kill and kidnap journalists Monday during a speech at Hong Kong’s Foreign Correspondents’ Club. “The single most treacherous threat to journalists is killing with impunity. Impunity for those who kill journalists only empowers them.” (AP) | “Last year was a particularly deadly year for the AP — four of the news cooperative’s journalists were killed on assignment.” (AP) | Related: The man who fatally shot AP photographer Anja Niedringhaus in Afghanistan was sentenced to 20 years in prison last week. AP correspondent Kathy Gannon, who was injured in the shooting, reaffirmed her resolution to go back to Afghanistan. “I will return for both of us.” (AP)
- The next most trusted name in fake news
Comedy Central has named a successor for longtime “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart: Trevor Noah, who joined the show in December. Comedy Central President Michele Ganeless discussed the selection process. “You don’t hope to find the next Jon Stewart – there is no next Jon Stewart. So, our goal was to find someone who brings something really exciting and new and different.” (The New York Times)
- Is the leaked Germanwings transcript fair game?
A transcript from a recorder aboard Germanwings Flight 9525 leaked to the German newspaper Bild last week details the final moments of the plane, which went down in the French Alps on Tuesday. (CNN) | On Sunday’s edition of “Reliable Sources,” CNN business and aviation correspondent Richard Quest said the transcript didn’t need to be leaked. “Now, there is a difference between leaking the core fact and leaking the individual document which has the detail, details that frankly the families don’t need to know yet and we don’t need to know.” (CNN) | The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations condemned the leak. “It is vital for the investigating body to ensure all information under their control is properly handled until the completion of the investigation.” (Business Wire)
- Apple CEO takes First Amendment stand
In an opinion piece for The Washington Post Sunday, Apple CEO Tim Cook spoke out against recent legislation that would allow business owners to refuse service to customers on the basis of their religious beliefs. “These bills rationalize injustice by pretending to defend something many of us hold dear.” (The Washington Post) | “Supporters of the Indiana law say it prevents the government from compelling people to provide services such as wedding photography for same-sex weddings or other activities they find objectionable on religious grounds.” (ABC News)
- Athletes leapfrog traditional reporting
Richard Sandomir examines The Players’ Tribune, a website founded by MLB star Derek Jeter that aims to “give an athlete a platform to say what is on his or her mind, serious or not, without a reporter playing the journalistic middleman.” (The New York Times) | On Thursday, the site published a first-person essay from Boston Red Sox player David Ortiz, who defended himself from allegations of using performance enhancing drugs. “In some people’s minds, I will always be considered a cheater. And that’s bullshit.” (The Players’ Tribune) | Boston Globe sports columnist Dan Shaughnessy responded, suggesting Ortiz may have been unwise to discuss steroid use. “Jeter failed you on this one. A good editor would have discouraged this theme.” (The Boston Globe)
- Last week in AP Style
There was a flurry of stories toward the end of last week that tackled one of the most pressing issues for Poynter readers: the annual revision of the AP Stylebook. Here are some highlights: You can call your sandwich a BLT on first reference. (Poynter) | The stylebook will have an updated entry on suicide that discourages going into details. (Poynter) | AP is still considering making a ruling on the term “Redskins.” (Poynter) | Deadspin weighed in on the new sports style guidelines. “Getting rid of ‘dingers’ is a bad move. ‘Dingers’ is an excellent word for home runs. ‘Jacks’ is OK. ‘Taters’ is the best.” (Deadspin) | Kevin Draper also laid out an incomplete styleguide for the site. (Deadspin)
- Blogger sentenced to flogging speaks
Raif Badawi, a Saudi blogger given 1,000 lashes for criticizing the country’s clerics, called the punishment “cruel” in a letter from prison. “Badawi, 31, recalled that he was ‘surrounded by a cheering crowd who cried incessantly ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is greatest)’ during the whipping, according to a pre-released article from Der Spiegel’s edition to be published on Saturday.” (The Guardian) | The punishment has been condemned by Reporters Without Borders. (Reporters Without Borders)
- John Burns retires
Several journalists reflected on the career of New York Times correspondent John Burns, who retired last week. “For 40 years at The Times, John Burns reported from bases in Johannesburg, Moscow, China, Bosnia, India, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and London — not to mention the countless other datelines he accumulated in the more than 3,000 stories he wrote.” (The New York Times) | Burns will contribute to the international and sports desks. (The New York Times) | “Few contemporary foreign correspondents have worked in as many conflict zones as Burns. And fewer have his gift for telling vivid tales of ordinary lives interrupted by war.” (The Atlantic) | “Two bits of journalism advice I got from John Burns: 1) Show up wherever the story is. 2) Pencils are more reliable than pens.” (@ravisomaiya) | He now has his own about page. (The New York Times) | Burns’ final story before his retirement. (The New York Times)
- ‘A little bit of flirting’ in ‘Serial’
At a Boston University conference Sunday, “Serial” host Sarah Koenig discussed her interactions with Adnan Syed, whose homicide case provided the focal point for the hit podcast. “‘Sometimes, as uncomfortable as it is to admit it, there’s a little bit of flirting going on,’ Koenig said, of listening back on her reporting. ‘I’m a little cringe-y looking back. I’m laughing too much. It sounds like we’re friends.'” (The Boston Globe)
- Front page of the day, selected by Kristen Hare
The Spokesman-Review goes big with the loss of hometown favorite Gonzaga University to the Duke University Blue Devils. (Courtesy the Newseum)
- Job moves, edited by Benjamin Mullin
Marc Weiner has been named news director at FIOS1 News in New York. Previously, he was an executive producer for Al Jazeera America. (Rick Gevers) | Gregg Birnbaum will be a senior news editor at CNN Money. He is managing editor and head of political content at the New York Daily News. (Capital New York) | Tanzina Vega will be a digital correspondent at CNN Politics. She is a reporter at The New York Times. (Poynter) | Nikki-Dee Ray has joined the weather team at WTVR. Previously, she was chief meteorologist at KLBK. (TV Spy) | Job of the day: The Boston Globe is looking for a digital reporter. Get your résumés in! (Indeed.com) | Send Ben your job moves: bmullin@poynter.org.
Corrections? Tips? Please email Kristen Hare: khare@poynter.org. Would you like to get this roundup emailed to you every morning? Sign up here.
