Jason Cipriani’s Post

How to find scandalous stories - #investigative #journalist secrets for discovering #sources and #contacts I’m asked all the time how as a journalist I find sources and contacts to break stories. It’s a skill people rarely discuss and always overcomplicate. So here are some tips on how you do it. Hey in touch with questions or if you want more advice.

Spread the word: for laid off journalists, Linktree is offering a free year of Pro. "As the journalism industry undergoes seismic shifts, it’s our responsibility to stand with those impacted by providing them with the tools and support needed to navigate this current reality. We’re here to help those impacted engage, grow, and monetize your work with Linktree. We know you’ll use it to show us what you’re made of, and land on your feet in your next great venture." That's how you do it! https://lnkd.in/g_8WcW3s

I'm very excited and a little nervous to share a small new side project I've been working on: a newsletter for audio journalists and producers telling difficult stories about the world today. "Six Hundred Seeds" was born out of a challenging (and fruitful!) year straddling two worlds as a producer of entertainment and as a journalist. I've met dozens of utterly brilliant, inspiring people from both of those worlds, and I've spent the year reflecting on what they could learn from one another, and how all of us could approach our work differently to reach new audiences. I've also been battling news fatigue and trying to piece my fragmented attention span back together. It's a slow-going process. In short, I've been trying to identify how audio journalists and producers might tell more engaging stories about the many ongoing crises in the world today. How can we make audio on difficult topics accessible and empowering, even for news-avoidant audiences? In order to think through it, I'm writing about it. "Six Hundred Seeds" is geared towards people making reported audio documentaries and series. The idea is to offer solutions-journalism-informed food for thought for audio storytelling that is meaningful and informative, but also engaging, nuanced, humane, and sometimes humorous—even when the world feels like it's none of those things. I'd love it if you would subscribe. I'm not exactly sure what this is going to look like or how long it will last, but I'm hoping it becomes a tiny community and sparks a bit of creative thinking, somehow, somewhere, out there in the world, wherever you are. And if you want to read it before handing over your email, start with the latest dispatch, an interview with the talented sound designer Mau Loseto. He dropped a couple of hard truths for producers like me, but then, after a year like this one, who among us in this industry can't handle a few more hard truths?

Long day. Longer than it should have been. Felt like I needed something. A sign. Then I see someone went on the site and bought a copy of every issue of Condrey, including the spin-offs. I can’t tell you peeps how hard this is. Every day is hard. Every day is like a gut punch. Every day no one makes it easier. It’s so much harder than journalism. Journalism is great because every day is an opportunity to get a new story. A fresh start. A new angle. Journalism is not for everyone. Not even close. Comics is for even fewer people. In comics, you’re married to your creations. They don’t hit, you don’t make money and you can’t do more. If you’re like me and you’re a creator and a publisher- then you have to do it for yourself and other people. Then add in licensing deals and work for hire for people that often times haven’t a clue how hard it is what we do and you have just a tough, lonely road. That is until you get an excited email from a new customer or another order when you least expected. I know I’m on the right path. I believe in my creations. I believe in my team. Just nice to get that affirmation when I needed it.

I loved this post from a newly retired veteran journalist. Thank you, Jane, for sharing your perspectives and wisdom! Some great advice: —Remember you are your biggest champion. While the boss may say they “have your back” — recognize that just doesn’t make sense. Their loyalty is ultimately to the business that pays their salary, not to you. This isn’t really a journalism thing, it’s just life. —If you’re a retired journalist, stop complaining about “the good old days” and help find a way forward for journalism in today’s reality. Be helpful and empathetic. Listen. Mentor a young journalist at your local media organization or through Report for America. —Pay attention to researchers who study and care about the future of journalism. Continue learning about your profession by reading their work. Attend high-quality conferences and webinars. —Acknowledge the problems in journalism education. We need to refresh the skills of educators whose knowledge of the industry is decades old, and burn the ancient syllabi and journalism course catalogs that have no connection to today’s media world.

Sometimes there are moments in journalism when the line between private space of respondent and public interest is very blurred. The feast of the judges was such one. On the one hand, judges are human beings, and they have the right to spend time together, have fun an etc, on the other hand, they are judges who are supposed to be independent of influence. What if one day these judges get the case of a family member of a colleague with whom they spend time? - We call this a conflict of interest, thus, this is the exact moment when the interest of the media comes in to cover this topic. #media #reporting #video #storytelling

"When News Is Scarce, How Do You Craft Captivating Stories? “ Have you ever found yourself in the challenging position of seeking fresh news stories on days when it seems like there's nothing new in town? It's a common dilemma for journalists, one that often requires creative thinking and resourcefulness to unearth compelling stories. As a journalist, I've encountered those days when I've been asked for story ideas, and it appears as though the town is in a news slump. It's during such moments that the essence of journalism truly shines, where we can find stories in the most ordinary of events. But the question remains: how do you discover those stories that captivate your audience? I vividly recall a day when it seemed like there wouldn't be much to report. On that occasion, I rallied my team and decided to embark on a mission to find a human-interest story. Little did we know that our pursuit would lead us to a part of the popular market engulfed in flames. With swift action, we informed the authorities, and together with the firefighters, we managed to quell the raging inferno. However, our work didn't end there. We interviewed the distressed traders whose livelihoods went up in smoke, and we shared their stories with the government and compassionate Nigerians, who then extended their support. This story, born from an otherwise ordinary day, not only made the headlines but also added value to our community. We had become the voice of the voiceless, an essential role of journalism. So, in your experience, have you ever faced a similar challenge as a journalist? How do you find striking stories when it appears that there's nothing new in town? Share your thoughts and experiences. #journalismchallenges #creativereporting #uncoveringhiddennarratives #findingcompellingstories #mediatraining #writers

Capture media attention by grabbing a journalist's interest. Here's how to do it with confidence! 1. Speak Clearly: Use simple words that sparkle. 2. Punchy Headline: Make it short and exciting. 3. Show, Don't Tell: Add cool pictures. 4. Stay Relevant: Focus on what matters. 5. Friendly Pitch: Be nice and make your pitch like chatting with a friend. #Journalist #Attention

"I'm a journalist and social worker who has many stories that I want to document and share. I'll be starting a new series, and this is the first chapter from my daring journalism days. I hope you all enjoy reading this interesting story." #daringstories #lifestories #storytelling #lifeofjournalist

It's a tough time for the publishing industry with mass layoffs and closures, but maybe there's a way forward. My takeaway from this article suggests that there is a fundamental misalignment of incentives between owners and journalists/editors and perhaps that is why Defector co-op model has been successful. While subscriptions and donations are valid business models, I believe that ad-generated revenue models can also work if managed responsibly (or maybe all of the above for diversified revenue streams) and growth is pursued for the right reasons. Let's hope that publishers can find a way to balance profit and journalistic integrity for the industry's sake but also humankind. #publishingindustry #publishers #journalism #journalismmatters #openweb