What’s on the final exam?

It's the last week of classes for the fall semester at UNC-Chapel Hill. Final exams are ahead. Here is what's on the exam in MEJO 557 (News Editing): Edit a news story for everything we have covered in this course: Associated Press style, punctuation, grammar, spelling, clarity, word choice and story structure. Check for fact errors, …

How to get certified as a digital communicator

The journalism school at UNC-Chapel Hill is relaunching and expanding its online certificate program in digital communication. The graduate-level program is aimed at people working in journalism and public relations who want to add to their skill set and learn new concepts. The program offers three certificates: — Digital Storytelling: A perfect fit for communications professionals interested …

Q&A with Laura Helmuth, editor in chief of Scientific American

Laura Helmuth is editor in chief of Scientific American. She previously worked at Smithsonian magazine, Slate and The Washington Post, and she has more than 20 years of experience in science journalism. In this interview, conducted by email, Helmuth discusses her role at Scientific American and its decision to endorse Kamala Harris for president. She …

A passive approach to political endorsements

The Los Angeles Times made news this week for something that it didn't do: endorse a candidate for president. When the newspaper's editorial board posted its recommendations for the 2024 election, it skipped the contest for U.S. president. It had endorsed Democratic nominee Kamala Harris when she ran for U.S. Senate in 2016, and it …

Q&A with Colleen Barry, copy editor at ProPublica

Colleen Barry is a copy editor at ProPublica, a nonprofit news organization that specializes in investigative journalism. She has more than 20 years of experience as an editor, with previous stints at ESPN and FiveThirtyEight. In this interview, conducted by email, Barry discusses her work at ProPublica and offers advice for students interested in editing. …

From Clingman to Kuwohi

Circa 1980, my grandfather took me to Clingmans Dome, the highest peak in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I recall walking up the curved ramp at the observation tower at the top of the mountain and seeing the stunning view. Located at the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, the mountain is in the news …

A good Kölsch for a good cause

In 2016, Ponysaurus brewery launched a beer called Don’t Be Mean to People: A Golden Rule Saison. Part of the proceeds went to EqualityNC. Now, the brewery based in Durham, North Carolina, is offering Tell The Truth: A Fact-Checked Kölsch. Part of the proceeds for this beer will benefit digital magazine The Assembly, which provides …

What I am teaching this semester

Happy FDOC! It's the first day of class of the fall semester at UNC-Chapel Hill. Here's what I am teaching this term: MEJO 557, News Editing. In this course, undergraduate students learn about editing for digital media, including headline writing and audience engagement. The class meets in person twice a week, and it has 18 …

Harmful headlines

Headlines still matter, perhaps more than ever. They are everywhere, on screens and on paper. They tell us what’s news, and they lure us into reading more. Good headlines match the content and tone of the story as well as the tone of the news organization overall. Good headlines inform and, when appropriate, even entertain …

A new look on the homepage

Frequent readers of this site may notice a subtle yet significant change at the top of the homepage — a new banner.For many years, I have used WordPress themes for the look of The Editor's Desk. The content management system offers a wealth of templates to match the needs of writers and organizations of all …