Opinion | Katie Zacharia’s debut as press secretary went about as badly as it could have
After a rocky 14-minute briefing, questions are mounting about Zacharia’s hiring, her future in the job and her legal credentials
October 14, 2026
News
College journalism is thriving at schools that don’t teach it
Hundreds of college newspapers publish at universities that don't offer journalism majors. That's no problem for the students.
October 14, 2026
Trump’s latest attack on James Talarico involves veganism, barbecue and vomiting. Here are the facts.
The Texas Democrat once advocated for reducing meat consumption. Trump has turned that into a recurring rally line unsupported by evidence.
October 14, 2026
Newsroom Profile: Black Indy LIVE
Is the viral digital news platform worthy of our attention?
October 14, 2026
Local newspaper closures have surged to more than three a week
A new Medill study found 170 papers closed or merged over the past year, while 26 more counties became news deserts
October 13, 2026
Opinion | The Pentagon plans to livestream an execution. Some Republicans are having second thoughts.
Trump reportedly has misgivings about the plan, while House Speaker Mike Johnson warned the footage could become a terrorist recruiting tool
October 13, 2026
Opinion | How do you land a journalism job right now? Nearly 60 journalists told us
The job market is brutal, but journalists are still finding new roles — and more than half of those we surveyed landed better pay and benefits
October 13, 2026
Business & Work
Can a ‘weirdo version of a newsroom’ thrive? Pablo Torre is finding out
His unconventional approach has drawn skepticism from the sports media establishment. It’s also producing serious journalism.
October 12, 2026
How the ‘worst act in vaudeville’ helped shape modern libel law
The Cherry Sisters were terrible performers. Critics were merciless. Their libel suit helped establish protections journalists still rely on today
October 8, 2026
Opinion | Advice for young Black journalists from an editor who used to be one
Young, gifted and unemployed? One Black editor’s advice for making a way in an industry that hasn’t always made room for you.
October 5, 2026
What does it take to make an independent local newsroom work? More than good journalism.
A new study of 112 independent publishers shows just how much local news entrepreneurs have to juggle
October 1, 2026
Commentary
Opinion | Jennifer Griffin has covered 8 defense secretaries. She’s never seen a Pentagon like this.
On ‘The Poynter Report Podcast,’ the longtime Fox News correspondent reflects on nearly four decades of reporting, from war zones to Washington
October 12, 2026
Opinion | Judge extends pause on Trump’s media ban
The order is now extended until next Tuesday, at which time the judge could extend it for a longer period of time.
October 9, 2026
Opinion | CBS gives JD Vance a prime-time town hall just before the midterms
The Michigan event gives the vice president a national stage as Republicans make their closing argument to voters
October 8, 2026
Opinion | Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery are finally one company. So what happens now?
The $111 billion deal brings CNN and CBS News under one roof, with layoffs, cost cuts and questions about editorial independence ahead
October 7, 2026
Educators & Students
The reporting their universities didn’t want
Four college journalists speak out on the importance of standing up to administrators
October 6, 2026
Opinion | The best investment in journalism might take decades to pay off
Want to invest in journalism’s future? Start with student journalists
September 22, 2026
Journalism students know the industry is struggling. They’re choosing to enter it anyway
Student reporters from across the country say they’re worried about layoffs, AI and shrinking newsrooms but still feel called to the work
May 11, 2026
In this Duke journalism class, failure was part of the assignment. It led to real AI tools for local news.
Students partnered with local newsrooms to solve real reporting problems and learned to start with the need, not the technology
May 7, 2026
Ethics & Trust
The atmosphere is getting wetter. The Washington Post showed what that means on the ground
The Post combined meteorology, data visualization and on-the-ground reporting to reveal the growing risks of extreme rainfall
October 8, 2026
Opinion | Journalism is serious business. That doesn’t mean it can’t be funny.
5 reasons humor (and memes) can help journalists inform audiences, build community and cut through the noise
October 7, 2026
Your newsroom may not have a standards editor. It still needs someone doing the job.
Even small newsrooms need someone with the time, training and authority to help journalists make difficult ethical calls
September 30, 2026
How a New York Times reporter documented the brazenness of a notorious sex-trafficking corridor in LA
Emily Baumgaertner Nunn spent years building trust with survivors and investigators to tell the story of LA’s Figueroa Street
September 30, 2026
Fact-Checking
A viral rumor claimed James Talarico was in a psychiatric hospital. The evidence doesn’t hold up.
Right-wing influencers pointed to a recorded phone call as proof. The hospital says Talarico was never a patient there.
October 13, 2026
Trump renamed AI ‘super intelligence.’ But that term already means something else.
Experts warn that muddying the definitions could complicate efforts to regulate a rapidly advancing technology
October 8, 2026
Has the presidency cost Donald Trump money? His financial disclosures say otherwise
Markwayne Mullin said serving as president has cost Trump money. Forbes estimates Trump is $2.7 billion richer than when he won in 2024.
October 7, 2026
Trump said the Iran war would last weeks. Now he says the media got it wrong.
Trump now says his 4-6 week estimate was about eliminating Iran’s nuclear threat. That’s not what he said at the time.
October 6, 2026
From the Institute
A message about the importance of the free press
On America's 250th birthday, we reprint the words of the late Poynter chairman Eugene C. Patterson
July 4, 2026
Nina Jankowicz, Jane Lytvynenko and Peter Erdelyi to lead GlobalFact as invited speakers
Experts in online disinformation, investigative journalism and financial sustainability will anchor the annual conference on fact-checking.
May 7, 2026
Poynter launches new research service to boost reporting and save time for newsrooms, journalists and creators
Fee-based service can help unearth records, vet sources, meet deadlines and ensure accurate reporting
May 5, 2026
Poynter names 35 journalists selected for competitive 2026 Leadership Academy for Women
Participants will gather in St. Petersburg to hone their strategic vision and steer their organizations toward success.
March 16, 2026
ICYMI
South Korea’s fact-checking future is uncertain as a key donor retreats
The withdrawal of funding from ‘the Google of South Korea’ has left SNU FactCheck scrambling to find a new sponsor. A shutdown looms.
November 14, 2023
Mongolia moves to seize power to shut down internet, control social media
In an expedited process, 77% of parliament members voted in favor of legislation that sharply limits government criticism.
January 27, 2023
IFCN
Opinion | Fact-checking isn’t just for journalists. Here are 5 reasons it’s for you, too
Fact-checking makes you a clearer communicator, a better decision-maker and a more trusted friend. A new course helps you learn how
September 28, 2026
World’s fact-checkers to meet in Antwerp, Belgium, for GlobalFact 2027
Home to 170 nationalities, the port city is a short train ride from Brussels, where EU institutions shape Europe’s platform rules
September 17, 2026
US fact-checkers launch collaboration debunking deceptive 2026 midterm ads and election disinformation
A newsletter aimed at media, content creators and election observers will analyze messages and trends in midterm elections and voting
August 20, 2026
South Korea wrote a fact-checking code into law. Korean fact-checkers are wary.
The law took effect July 7 and could make IFCN-accredited fact-checkers eligible for government funding
July 30, 2026
Local News
You’re not crazy. Voting in Indiana is intimidating.
Here’s what local newsrooms do and don’t do to make you a better voter
October 7, 2026
Poynter wins national ‘Hero Award’ for work to preserve news archives
The award from the Internet Archive is shared with IRE for joint project to train newsrooms to retain vital digital archives over time
October 5, 2026
What do braids, cornrows, and Bantu knots have to do with the news?
Why TV viewers’ perceptions matter and what they mean to representation in newsrooms
September 30, 2026
So, you want to be a journalist in Indy? Here’s what you need to know
Getting a job is easier than keeping it
September 16, 2026
News Releases
New Poynter course helps journalists master vertical video
Poynter’s new on-demand course helps journalists build practical vertical video skills and earn a certificate of completion
October 6, 2026
Poynter launches free course offering ethical guidance for funders interested in supporting local news
Online course explains how to preserve journalistic independence while building strong partnerships with news organizations
September 21, 2026
Statement from the International Fact-Checking Network on Meta’s expansion of Community Notes to Latin America
Substituting community notes for professional fact-checking will result in a degraded information environment
September 9, 2026
Poynter, Public Media Company launch national initiative on the future of public media
The effort will engage local communities to reimagine public media after loss of federal funding
September 8, 2026
Newsletters
Opinion | CNN gets a best-case scenario under its new owners
Mark Thompson will stay in charge of CNN and will report to Skydance leadership, not controversial CBS chief Bari Weiss
October 6, 2026
Opinion | Trump lashes out at Kaitlan Collins, then wakes up angry at Fox News
Trump singled out the CNN anchor before a hostile crowd, then renewed his attacks on Fox and Jessica Tarlov
October 5, 2026
Opinion | Paramount CEO asks Mark Thompson to stay on at CNN after the merger. Will he?
Reportedly, David EIllison wants Thompson to remain the leader of CNN, but Thompson has stipulations
October 2, 2026
Opinion | Trump attacks Fox News as Hegseth blasts the press
The president questioned why Fox News gives airtime to Democrats while Hegseth accused the press of ‘treason’
October 1, 2026
PBS Curriculum
Poynter’s MediaWise and PBS launch AI literacy video series for teens
The new series called AI Unlocked includes five lessons to help students better understand the world of generative artificial intelligence
March 27, 2025
Trick or truth: Are drug dealers really targeting kids on Halloween?
For teachers: This MediaWise Teen Fact-Checking Network video has an accompanying lesson plan free for any…
October 28, 2022
Podcasts
Opinion | Rachel Maddow on why Trump keeps attacking the media: ‘You play the hits’
Maddow kicks off season seven of ‘The Poynter Report Podcast’ to talk Trump, the press, polling and the future of news
September 28, 2026
Opinion | Have you gotten health advice from TikTok or Instagram? This is for you.
Well Informed, from PolitiFact, aims to help readers separate credible medical evidence from misinformation
July 20, 2026
Opinion | What’s next for CBS News, CNN and ‘60 Minutes?’
Wall Street Journal reporter Isabella Simonetti breaks down the upheaval at CBS News and what the Paramount merger could mean for CNN
June 29, 2026
Opinion | The World Cup is like 104 Super Bowls. Here’s how The Athletic plans to cover it.
On ‘The Poynter Report Podcast,’ The Athletic's Laura Williamson explains how the outlet is preparing for a month and a half of soccer
June 8, 2026
Reporting & Editing
Opinion | Want to be an opinion writer? First, learn how to report
Local op-eds and Substack can both help you get started. What matters more is learning how to do the work.
October 6, 2026
AI learned how to write from humans. Now humans are trying not to sound like AI.
Writers are scrubbing em dashes and second-guessing old habits to avoid being mistaken for machines
September 28, 2026
Want your next investigation to make an impact?
Think about what needs to change from the start
September 24, 2026
Tech & Tools
Opinion | A hyperlocal news page falls victim to Facebook’s AI
Facebook deactivated The Bloomingtonian for 9 days. The fallout is still unfolding.
July 24, 2026
Opinion | PolitiFact’s new platform is a reminder that ideas outlast technology
As PolitiFact retires the platform that powered its first 19 years, its original developer argues ideas matter more than tools
July 22, 2026
Fact-checkers wrestle with how to minimize AI’s problems
Panels at GlobalFact discuss AI opportunities, challenges and how it affects the environment in which they work
June 22, 2026
Opinion | Why can’t newsroom leaders just be normal about AI?
A series of tumultuous generative artificial intelligence rollouts make clear that leaders need to listen before leaping
April 24, 2026
TFCN
MediaWise launches Teen Creator Network with $300,000 grant from Patrick J. McGovern Foundation
Poynter’s media literacy program partners with Local News International to help teens create engaging content their peers can trust
March 23, 2026
Watch out for claims about ‘crisis actors’ in Gaza
This photo posted on Facebook in early November got a lot of attention. It shows…
February 5, 2024
Would young people really choose TikTok over their right to vote?
GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, a political outsider who has taken many by surprise with…
November 7, 2023
Is This Legit: A media literacy skills recap
Have you ever encountered something suspicious online and wondered: “Is this legit?” Welcome to our…
May 11, 2023