Monday Morning Watch | Week of January 6, 2025
This is the inaugural edition of our weekly rundown of public meetings and agendas for the City of Birmingham, Alabama and the Jefferson County Commission.
BirminghamWatch
Good Reasons for Journalists to Leave X – and to Stay
Some journalists have fled X, tired of wading through toxic sludge, but others still see it as a medium to gather news and reach newsmakers. Read more.
How the News Media Helped Trump Win
UA news media instructor asked some smart people to assess the campaign coverage of the presidential election by the mainstream media and to be any combination of complimentary or critical. Pretty much, it was the latter. Read more.
Believe It or Not, Some Journalists Won’t Exercise Their Right
Some people won’t vote Tuesday. Such as lazy people. Sadly oblivious people. People protesting two unacceptable candidates. Ill people. People without transportation. And a small group you might not have thought of: journalists who believe voting would compromise their impartiality. Read more.
Foolish, Self-Inflicted Damage by The Washington Post
It was with some sadness that I found myself on The Post’s website Friday, contemplating canceling my digital subscription. Read more.
Tough Interviews Shouldn’t Become Controversies
It’s never good when the interviewer of a high-profile person becomes the story, but some critics need to better understand what makes for a good interview. Read more.
Book Casts Light on Tuscaloosa’s Bloody Tuesday
Tuscaloosa’s struggles for civil rights have often been overshadowed by events in Birmingham, Selma and elsewhere. But a new book tells of those struggles and the day police ambushed protestors inside a church. Read more.
BirminghamWatch Awarded Two-Year $100,000 Grant From Press Forward
The nine year old news organization is one of three in Alabama and 205 nationally receiving a share of $20 million to close persistent coverage gaps. Read more.
Media love political polls. Unfortunately.
Polls are here to stay, but do people – or even the media – understand them? UA instructor of news media Tom Arenberg discusses what to take into consideration. Read more.
BW’s Natta Named to 2025 Leadership Birmingham Class
André Natta, executive director of the Alabama Initiative for Independent Journalism, is among 59 leaders named to Leadership Birmingham’s Class of 2025. Read more.