Author: Jim Boren
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A question I hear often: What news sources are most reliable?
I offer some specific suggestions below — but as a rule: read broadly, question everything, and don’t overlook local news. Whether I’m giving a speech or teaching journalism students at Fresno State, one question keeps coming up: which news sources are actually reliable? My answer: read broadly. And if you want specifics about news sites,…
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California officials want to make it harder to see what government is doing. They hope no one objects.
A proposal to restrict access to public records is fueling concerns that transparency is taking a back seat to government convenience. In California, state elected officials are seeking to restrict public access to government records — a troubling development that threatens transparency and weakens one of the public’s most important tools for holding government accountable.…
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Media Institute at Fresno State strengthens Central Valley’s journalism and creative workforce pipeline
Through workshops, presentations, and community events, the Institute for Media and Public Trust supports media literacy efforts and helps the public better understand today’s media landscape. Eight years ago, when we launched the Institute for Media and Public Trust at Fresno State, misinformation, media literacy, and declining trust in institutions were already recognized as serious…
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Fresno’s Journalists of Color program is elevating student voices and creating career pathways
Now finishing its fifth cohort, the program equips underserved students with reporting skills, editorial experience, and a clear pathway into college and professional newsrooms. When I served as executive editor of The Fresno Bee, I believed journalism could never fully serve its communities unless newsrooms reflected the diversity, experiences, and voices of the people they covered.…
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The price we pay for taking journalism for granted
Journalism’s greatest challenge may be that its benefits are easiest to see after they’ve been lost. California just held a primary election. As I watched the returns come in, I found myself thinking less about who won and lost than about a deeper question: What makes an informed vote possible? Not campaigns, advertising, or political…
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Inside journalism classrooms, a familiar question has a positive answer: “Can I get a job?” Yes.
Despite concerns about the news industry, graduates are finding opportunities across digital, broadcast and in nonprofit media. As we move toward the end of the academic year at Fresno State and look ahead to the commencement ceremonies on May 15 and 16, I’ve been taking stock of my work this year as a college journalism…
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Public agencies don’t like releasing public records
Even when the law requires disclosure, getting documents can be an uphill battle. It may sound ironic, but the very people entrusted with maintaining public records are often the first to argue for keeping them private. The government offices that are supposed to safeguard transparency can become the places where access is slowed, narrowed, or…
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Fresnoland, Fresno Bee and Mariposa Gazette take top honors in Gruner journalism awards
By Royal Calkins A Fresnoland reporter and teams of journalists from the Fresno Bee and Mariposa Gazette won top honors for public service Thursday in the 38th-annual George F. Gruner Journalism Awards at California State University Fresno. The Gruner awards recognize outstanding journalism by newspapers and digital news operations around the San Joaquin Valley. They are named for the…
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Fresno State journalism grad Manny Fernandez on the relentless reporting that revealed Cesar Chavez’s sexual misconduct
The story behind the New York Times reporting that challenged the public image of the iconic farm labor leader. The New York Times exposé that brought down civil rights icon Cesar Chavez was always destined to be more than a mere investigative story. It’s a testament to the persistence of journalism and the courage of survivors who…
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The ethics of using AI in newsrooms: A work in progress
News organizations are grappling with how to use AI responsibly while preserving public trust. We are still at the beginning of the artificial intelligence revolution, and the public is looking for clear guidance on how newsrooms are using AI to report the news. But the reality is that most news organizations are still developing their…
