I'm generally not one for canceling news subscriptions for ideological reasons -- I'm paying for the service of newswriting and I know most newswriting isn't exactly down my ideological channel -- but I cancelled WaPo because they've throttled their actual newswriting too while doing this shit
You’ve gotta be kidding me.
This WaPo editorial presents a misleading revisionist history of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s criminal cases against Trump.
Then it has the gall to compare that to Trump’s overt targeting of his perceived enemies.
Really embarrassing stuff.
This WaPo editorial presents a misleading revisionist history of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s criminal cases against Trump.
Then it has the gall to compare that to Trump’s overt targeting of his perceived enemies.
Really embarrassing stuff.
October 9, 2025 at 12:42 PM
I'm generally not one for canceling news subscriptions for ideological reasons -- I'm paying for the service of newswriting and I know most newswriting isn't exactly down my ideological channel -- but I cancelled WaPo because they've throttled their actual newswriting too while doing this shit
Love to use the word "may" twice in a single sentence, in the guise of newswriting
One fascinating thing about the most self-serious newspaper in America with its staff of the winning journalistic meritocrats is that it routinely, institutionally publishes completely made-up bullshit speculation about pure abstractions, based on zero reporting, written as if it were plain facts
![Screenshot of text:
[Highlighting begins] But the shooting may put concerns over gun violence back on voters’ minds, and may lead some to further scrutinize Mr. Mamdani, [Highlighting ends] who has relatively limited experience in government and has not handled a high-profile crisis while in office.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:lyspo2bgxpznqtug5ir2q33g/bafkreihpibcyvb46urauouq4b3futsmsttqayuzk5op6jxvvoeyc7p7mha)
July 29, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Love to use the word "may" twice in a single sentence, in the guise of newswriting
this adverb is quietly taking over newswriting. some reporters are concerned
March 23, 2026 at 2:18 PM
this adverb is quietly taking over newswriting. some reporters are concerned
the article can’t even identify anything questionable or hypocritical that Mamdani said or did but manages to have a negative tone throughout, an incredible piece of non-newswriting
March 10, 2026 at 6:57 PM
the article can’t even identify anything questionable or hypocritical that Mamdani said or did but manages to have a negative tone throughout, an incredible piece of non-newswriting
One newswriting rule I learned long ago is that someone saying they're going to file a lawsuit is not the same thing as someone filing a lawsuit
November 18, 2023 at 3:27 PM
One newswriting rule I learned long ago is that someone saying they're going to file a lawsuit is not the same thing as someone filing a lawsuit
cleaning up some old papers from middle school and I have definitive proof that school did not prepare me for newswriting
December 30, 2024 at 3:27 AM
cleaning up some old papers from middle school and I have definitive proof that school did not prepare me for newswriting
Absolutely love every line of this snail farming tax avoidance story, quality newswriting, great quotes, 10/10. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Snail farm in Liverpool office sparks tax avoidance probe
City leaders claim the
www.bbc.co.uk
August 21, 2024 at 9:12 AM
Absolutely love every line of this snail farming tax avoidance story, quality newswriting, great quotes, 10/10. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
a+++++ newswriting www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/w...
September 21, 2025 at 1:04 AM
a+++++ newswriting www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/w...
Yes. Basic skill. Should be obvious.
Not so much any more, but when I started as a journalism academic, it was common for faculty to tell first year newswriting students, "Lose the adjectives." That was considered a virtue and a brilliant way to teach it.
Not so much any more, but when I started as a journalism academic, it was common for faculty to tell first year newswriting students, "Lose the adjectives." That was considered a virtue and a brilliant way to teach it.
Fundamentally, it’s a total journalistic failure to treat the statements of a mostly dishonest person exactly the same as the statements of a mostly honest one. Isn’t that just basic reporting skills to know the difference???
August 3, 2024 at 10:08 PM
Yes. Basic skill. Should be obvious.
Not so much any more, but when I started as a journalism academic, it was common for faculty to tell first year newswriting students, "Lose the adjectives." That was considered a virtue and a brilliant way to teach it.
Not so much any more, but when I started as a journalism academic, it was common for faculty to tell first year newswriting students, "Lose the adjectives." That was considered a virtue and a brilliant way to teach it.
It's also just really badly done as basic newswriting and editing—the whole opening anecdote is about someone who thinks they got a tainted batch of vaccine, not about the general problem of side effects.
May 5, 2024 at 12:53 AM
It's also just really badly done as basic newswriting and editing—the whole opening anecdote is about someone who thinks they got a tainted batch of vaccine, not about the general problem of side effects.
Maybe the rocks would help me not make silly grammar mistakes so my newswriting professor can stop spinning like a rotisserie chicken in his grave
January 31, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Maybe the rocks would help me not make silly grammar mistakes so my newswriting professor can stop spinning like a rotisserie chicken in his grave
Due to this work permit holdup, I couldn't get paid or renew my driver's license.
I had to withdraw from:
· @sejorg.bsky.social as a speaker on two panels(!),
· @inn.org Days as a Best Investigative Journalism Award finalist, and
· @aajaofficial.bsky.social as co-Treasurer of the Atlanta chapter.
I had to withdraw from:
· @sejorg.bsky.social as a speaker on two panels(!),
· @inn.org Days as a Best Investigative Journalism Award finalist, and
· @aajaofficial.bsky.social as co-Treasurer of the Atlanta chapter.
2026 INNYs finalists reflect ‘heroic work’ of nonprofit news - INN News
Finalists for the sixth annual Nonprofit News Awards focused tough issues through compelling newswriting, poignant photos, thoughtful community engagement and other efforts.
news.inn.org
May 18, 2026 at 11:40 AM
Due to this work permit holdup, I couldn't get paid or renew my driver's license.
I had to withdraw from:
· @sejorg.bsky.social as a speaker on two panels(!),
· @inn.org Days as a Best Investigative Journalism Award finalist, and
· @aajaofficial.bsky.social as co-Treasurer of the Atlanta chapter.
I had to withdraw from:
· @sejorg.bsky.social as a speaker on two panels(!),
· @inn.org Days as a Best Investigative Journalism Award finalist, and
· @aajaofficial.bsky.social as co-Treasurer of the Atlanta chapter.
Yep! First day of newswriting: “we have a policy— F for Fact Error.” That’s a quick way to remember to check your sources and verify, verify, verify.
December 1, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Yep! First day of newswriting: “we have a policy— F for Fact Error.” That’s a quick way to remember to check your sources and verify, verify, verify.
The only thing I was ever really good at was newswriting. And I always paid great attention to the rhythm of my sentences. Which is why I would have giant fights with drones on the copy desk, who could not hear the music in the words and would demolish my careful constructs. Still mad, frankly.
August 3, 2026 at 11:27 PM
The only thing I was ever really good at was newswriting. And I always paid great attention to the rhythm of my sentences. Which is why I would have giant fights with drones on the copy desk, who could not hear the music in the words and would demolish my careful constructs. Still mad, frankly.
2 showed an interest in reporting and is taking newswriting this year, he’s excited about it
August 19, 2025 at 1:45 PM
2 showed an interest in reporting and is taking newswriting this year, he’s excited about it
The loss of more than 300,000 subscribers seems to have really affected their newswriting.
June 21, 2025 at 6:02 PM
The loss of more than 300,000 subscribers seems to have really affected their newswriting.
Presumably this is sloppy deadline newswriting but it's really fucking funny to imagine the CDC telling contagious people to go back to work but to personally make sure to upgrade the HVAC while they're there
March 1, 2024 at 6:33 PM
Presumably this is sloppy deadline newswriting but it's really fucking funny to imagine the CDC telling contagious people to go back to work but to personally make sure to upgrade the HVAC while they're there
I've been writing about the "exonerative tense" in newswriting for years, the tendency toward replacing concise journalistic english with police PR gibberish, but this from the AP has me beat. You can't get worse than this.
January 13, 2026 at 1:57 AM
I've been writing about the "exonerative tense" in newswriting for years, the tendency toward replacing concise journalistic english with police PR gibberish, but this from the AP has me beat. You can't get worse than this.
#UNESCO: Story-based inquiry: a manual for investigative #journalists: unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/p... #HumanRights #Writing #Journalism #Newswriting
January 31, 2026 at 12:11 AM
#UNESCO: Story-based inquiry: a manual for investigative #journalists: unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/p... #HumanRights #Writing #Journalism #Newswriting
I don't think the concept of a siloed opinion section is legible to anyone under the age of 40, and I don't think most readers can (or should?) separate "here is the valuable newswriting that I subscribe for" from "here is an unhinged billionaire propaganda arm." This is a tragic and bonkers shift
It doesn't appear there will be any changes to the Post's news division, which remains separate from its opinion division. Historically newspaper owners have often played a role in setting the agenda for a paper's opinion section, but Bezos taking this level of control is new, as far as I know.
February 26, 2025 at 3:01 PM
I don't think the concept of a siloed opinion section is legible to anyone under the age of 40, and I don't think most readers can (or should?) separate "here is the valuable newswriting that I subscribe for" from "here is an unhinged billionaire propaganda arm." This is a tragic and bonkers shift
can't imagine the usa today guy who taught me newswriting saying this shit, is all.
October 22, 2024 at 1:42 PM
can't imagine the usa today guy who taught me newswriting saying this shit, is all.
"explaining quantum" is one of my favorite genres of newswriting
December 10, 2024 at 4:29 AM
"explaining quantum" is one of my favorite genres of newswriting
A simple lesson I always taught in basic newswriting: Count. If your headline says there are six things, count and be sure.
I looked in the article. There are only five things.
I looked in the article. There are only five things.
💡6 Things E.R. Doctors Wish You’d Avoid
📌 Don’t slice an avocado in a hurry.
📌 Don’t trust a trampoline.
📌 Don’t pet strange dogs.
📌 Don’t ignore sudden symptoms.
📌 Don’t ride without a helmet.
Gift 🎁 link
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/21/w...
📌 Don’t slice an avocado in a hurry.
📌 Don’t trust a trampoline.
📌 Don’t pet strange dogs.
📌 Don’t ignore sudden symptoms.
📌 Don’t ride without a helmet.
Gift 🎁 link
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/21/w...
6 Things E.R. Doctors Wish You’d Avoid (Gift Article)
We asked emergency physicians what lessons they’d learned from their job.
www.nytimes.com
March 8, 2025 at 2:21 AM
A simple lesson I always taught in basic newswriting: Count. If your headline says there are six things, count and be sure.
I looked in the article. There are only five things.
I looked in the article. There are only five things.