Category: Local news
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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…
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What I witnessed on the UFW picket line at the start of the grape strike: A struggle to improve life for those who harvest our crops
From early mornings to heated debates, the human stories behind the farm labor movement unfolded before me. The monumental downfall of the late farm labor leader Cesar Chavez brings back vivid memories of my time as a young journalist covering the grape strike in California’s San Joaquin Valley vineyards during the 1970s. It was a…
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What the Cesar Chavez revelations reveal about journalism’s blind spots
As fresh scrutiny reshapes Chavez’s legacy, it also exposes how journalistic habits can distort complex figures. The New York Times’ bombshell report on Cesar Chavez has taken many by surprise, forcing difficult questions about how aspects of his behavior may have gone unexamined for decades. For those of us connected to Fresno State, the revelations…
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Collaborative Crusade: Journalists, funders unite at Stanford to rescue local journalism from decline
By Jim Boren The atmosphere was charged with optimism as about 200 news leaders and foundation executives convened a journalism conference at Stanford University. Their shared objective: Devise a comprehensive strategy to revitalize the precarious business model of news, especially traditional newspapers. Discussions at the California Journalism Summit revolved around cultivating sustainable support through avenues…
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Without reporters covering city hall, school board, planning commission meetings, democracy at local level threatened by an uninformed citizenry
When I watch TV coverage of a news conference at the White House, I’m reminded of how reporting resources are disproportionately allocated in today’s news environment. The dozens of journalists at the White House are essentially giving us the same story, while many city council and school board meetings across America are not being covered…
Institute for Media and Public Trust at Fresno State 