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Resource Database / Guide

GIJN Guide to Investigating Extreme Heat

"The negative effects of higher temperatures can be seen everywhere, offering many opportunities for investigative journalism." This guide from the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) provides potential topics to cover, story angles, many story examples, resources, and more.

GIJN Guide to Investigating Extreme Heat

Summary:

"The negative effects of higher temperatures can be seen everywhere, offering many opportunities for investigative journalism." This guide from the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) provides potential topics to cover, story angles, many story examples, resources, and more.

Author:

Toby McIntosh

Published By:

Global Investigative Journalism Network

Date:

September 3, 2024

Category:

For:

VISIT

Fellowships & Grants

MIT Environmental Solutions Journalism Fellowships

MIT

"The MIT Environmental Solutions Journalism Fellowship supports freelance and staff journalists associated with U.S. local/regional newsrooms in developing a high-impact news project that reports on how climate change and/or the shift to a low-carbon economy relates to local communities and regions, in a way that centers local messengers, values, and priorities." For 2025, "special consideration will be given to news projects centered on climate solutions within the food and waste systems, including food waste and methane emissions in waste management." "Starting in January 2025, Fellows will participate in a four-month nonresident program that includes a multi-day virtual workshop where fellows will connect with MIT climate scientists, earth modeling researchers, political scientists, energy economists, and others; access to an editor to support project structure and packaging; training on using MIT’s extensive library databases, socioeconomic climate analyses, and other resources as requested; twice a month virtual cohort meetings; republication of the project through MIT and partner channels; and stipends of $10,000 plus up to $5,000 for qualified expenses. Applications are due October 14, 2024.

MIT Environmental Solutions Journalism Fellowships

Summary:

"The MIT Environmental Solutions Journalism Fellowship supports freelance and staff journalists associated with U.S. local/regional newsrooms in developing a high-impact news project that reports on how climate change and/or the shift to a low-carbon economy relates to local communities and regions, in a way that centers local messengers, values, and priorities." For 2025, "special consideration will be given to news projects centered on climate solutions within the food and waste systems, including food waste and methane emissions in waste management." "Starting in January 2025, Fellows will participate in a four-month nonresident program that includes a multi-day virtual workshop where fellows will connect with MIT climate scientists, earth modeling researchers, political scientists, energy economists, and others; access to an editor to support project structure and packaging; training on using MIT’s extensive library databases, socioeconomic climate analyses, and other resources as requested; twice a month virtual cohort meetings; republication of the project through MIT and partner channels; and stipends of $10,000 plus up to $5,000 for qualified expenses. Applications are due October 14, 2024.

Organization:

MIT

Category:

For:

Journalists

VISIT

Fellowships & Grants

Logan Science Journalism Program fellowships

Marine Biological Laboratory

"The Logan Science Journalism Program, founded in 1986, offers science journalists, writers, editors, and broadcast journalists a chance to forget about story deadlines and immerse themselves in basic biomedical or environmental research." Journalists can apply for an introductory course in biomedical research or one in environmental research, both of which are hosted in-person at the Marine Biological Laboratory. Travel, lodging, food, and course fees are covered for fellows. The 2025 program will take place May 18-May 28, and the deadline to apply is January 15.

Logan Science Journalism Program fellowships

Summary:

"The Logan Science Journalism Program, founded in 1986, offers science journalists, writers, editors, and broadcast journalists a chance to forget about story deadlines and immerse themselves in basic biomedical or environmental research." Journalists can apply for an introductory course in biomedical research or one in environmental research, both of which are hosted in-person at the Marine Biological Laboratory. Travel, lodging, food, and course fees are covered for fellows. The 2025 program will take place May 18-May 28, and the deadline to apply is January 15.

Organization:

Marine Biological Laboratory

Location:

Woods Hole, Mass.

Category:

For:

Journalists

VISIT

Article

Repetition makes climate misinformation feel more true — even for those who back climate science

"Climate misinformation may be more effective than we’d like to think because of a phenomenon called the illusory truth effect. In short, we are more likely to believe a lie if we encounter it repeatedly. Worse, the effect works immediately — a lie seems to be more true even after just one repetition." This article in Nieman Lab summarizes a recent paper by the same authors (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0307294) in which the researchers put the illusory truth effect to the test among people with strongly held existing beliefs.

Repetition makes climate misinformation feel more true — even for those who back climate science

Summary:

"Climate misinformation may be more effective than we’d like to think because of a phenomenon called the illusory truth effect. In short, we are more likely to believe a lie if we encounter it repeatedly. Worse, the effect works immediately — a lie seems to be more true even after just one repetition." This article in Nieman Lab summarizes a recent paper by the same authors (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0307294) in which the researchers put the illusory truth effect to the test among people with strongly held existing beliefs.

Published By:

NiemanLab

Date:

August 12, 2024

Category:

For:

VISIT

Article

What journalists need to know when covering extreme weather and climate change

The NPR Climate Desk put together this bulleted list of ready-to-use, sourced (to NPR articles) bullet points about climate change, organized by topic. Many are from the latest National Climate Assessment.

What journalists need to know when covering extreme weather and climate change

Summary:

The NPR Climate Desk put together this bulleted list of ready-to-use, sourced (to NPR articles) bullet points about climate change, organized by topic. Many are from the latest National Climate Assessment.

Published By:

National Public Radio (NPR)

Date:

July 23, 2024

Category:

For:

Journalists

VISIT

Article

Mpox: An explainer and research roundup

"A handful of researchers tried to notify the international community about a brewing problem with mpox, but their reports went mostly unnoticed until an outbreak in the United Kingdom in May 2022." This piece, first published in 2022, was updated in August 2024 given new alerts and emergency declarations from the U.S. CDC, Africa CDC, and World Health Organization.

Article

Routine childhood vaccinations and changing school requirements: A primer and research roundup

"As schools prepare for the fall semester, administrators are checking children’s shot records and working with families to help kids get up to date." This research roundup explains strategies to increase childhood vaccinations and context, as vaccination rates have fallen in recent years with disruptions and mistrust tied to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Video

Engaging the public on LGBTQ health: A conversation with journalist Erin Reed

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

In this virtual event presented by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and LGBTQ Health Center of Excellence, journalist and activist Erin Reed spoke to Ivan Hsiao, founder of Trans Health HQ. They discussed "ways to translate and disseminate research about LGBTQ health for policy and public discourse, combat misinformation and disinformation, and support progress toward a more equitable future for the LGBTQ community."

Engaging the public on LGBTQ health: A conversation with journalist Erin Reed

Summary:

In this virtual event presented by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and LGBTQ Health Center of Excellence, journalist and activist Erin Reed spoke to Ivan Hsiao, founder of Trans Health HQ. They discussed "ways to translate and disseminate research about LGBTQ health for policy and public discourse, combat misinformation and disinformation, and support progress toward a more equitable future for the LGBTQ community."

Organization:

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Date:

July 24, 2024

Category:

For:

VISIT

Article

How investigative journalists can fight back against health misinformation

The panel "Mis- and Disinformation about Health is Killing Us. What Should Journalists Be Doing about It?" presented at the 2024 International Journalism Festival in Perugia, Italy, explored how certain industries are exploiting a vacuum of trusted health information to misinform and disinform the public about their products and policies. Moderated by Pulitzer Center senior editor Susan Ferriss and featuring Will Fitzgibbon of The Examination; Chrissie Giles, deputy editor of the London-based Bureau of Investigative Journalism; and Mia Malan, founder and editor-in-chief of the South Africa-based Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism, the panelists "discussed their experiences working on impactful investigations and shared advice for journalists who want to cover health issues but don’t know where to start."

Video

Talking shop: When debunking climate disinformation gets labeled “censorship”

Covering Climate Now

"Increasingly, disinformation peddlers are protecting their lies by accusing anyone who fact-checks or debunks climate disinformation of censorship, bias, or being anti–free speech and debate. How can journalists preempt such charges, or deal with them, as we continue to tackle climate disinformation on the beat? In this press briefing, co-sponsored by Covering Climate Now and Climate Action Against Disinformation, experts detailed strategies used by disinformers to discredit journalists and how you can protect your reporting and serve your audiences. Kendra Pierre-Louis of Bloomberg; Marco Silva of BBC News; and Wudan Yan, freelance journalist, fact-checker, and entrepreneur, joined moderator Amy Westervelt, executive editor of Drilled, for a one-hour conversation."

Talking shop: When debunking climate disinformation gets labeled “censorship”

Summary:

"Increasingly, disinformation peddlers are protecting their lies by accusing anyone who fact-checks or debunks climate disinformation of censorship, bias, or being anti–free speech and debate. How can journalists preempt such charges, or deal with them, as we continue to tackle climate disinformation on the beat? In this press briefing, co-sponsored by Covering Climate Now and Climate Action Against Disinformation, experts detailed strategies used by disinformers to discredit journalists and how you can protect your reporting and serve your audiences. Kendra Pierre-Louis of Bloomberg; Marco Silva of BBC News; and Wudan Yan, freelance journalist, fact-checker, and entrepreneur, joined moderator Amy Westervelt, executive editor of Drilled, for a one-hour conversation."

Organization:

Covering Climate Now

Date:

June 18, 2024

Category:

For:

VISIT

Resource Database / Guide

A freelancer’s guide to reporting on climate change

"For freelance journalists, reporting on environmental issues and climate change is a chance to cover a diverse range of stories, places, and characters with an opportunity to build data, multimedia, and storytelling skills to better engage audiences... In this guide you will learn to help audiences connect with the subject of climate change; learn how environmental issues overlap with everyday events or trending topics; and learn to connect the dots globally." The guide, published by the European Journalism Centre, is available in English, Arabic, French, and Spanish.

A freelancer’s guide to reporting on climate change

Summary:

"For freelance journalists, reporting on environmental issues and climate change is a chance to cover a diverse range of stories, places, and characters with an opportunity to build data, multimedia, and storytelling skills to better engage audiences... In this guide you will learn to help audiences connect with the subject of climate change; learn how environmental issues overlap with everyday events or trending topics; and learn to connect the dots globally." The guide, published by the European Journalism Centre, is available in English, Arabic, French, and Spanish.

Published By:

European Journalism Centre

Category:

For:

VISIT

Newsletter

Climate on the Ballot newsletter

Covering Climate Now

The Climate on the Ballot newsletter, from Covering Climate Now, is delivered every Monday and covers a topic to help journalists integrate climate into their newsroom’s campaign reporting. It is also available in Spanish here: https://coveringclimatenow.org/from-us/el-clima-en-la-boleta/

Video

Making obscure animals and ecosystems compelling main characters

SEJ

Pandas and forests are out. Moths and peatlands are in. During this session at the 2024 Society of Environmental Journalists annual meeting, a panel of wildlife writers discussed how to get readers deeply invested in stories about wildlife and ecosystems that are not traditionally charismatic. These could be obscure creatures and places that some readers have never heard of, or animals that many people consider icky pests.

Making obscure animals and ecosystems compelling main characters

Summary:

Pandas and forests are out. Moths and peatlands are in. During this session at the 2024 Society of Environmental Journalists annual meeting, a panel of wildlife writers discussed how to get readers deeply invested in stories about wildlife and ecosystems that are not traditionally charismatic. These could be obscure creatures and places that some readers have never heard of, or animals that many people consider icky pests.

Organization:

SEJ

Date:

April 4, 2024

Category:

For:

VISIT

Article

Covering abortion as a health care story, not just a political one

Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ)

"Nearly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, pregnant people continue to have difficulty accessing abortion care across the country. During a panel at HJ24, a group of medical professionals discussed the impact of the reversal, including what they’re seeing on the ground." The panel included insight from doctors and recommendations for journalists.

Video

Media briefing: Reproductive health and abortion

SciLine

"This briefing, part of a series of SciLine media briefings covering key issues in the 2024 election, covered what the latest scientific research says about the latest stats on abortion, including geographic, demographic, and late- versus early-term distribution; the types of abortions that are available remotely and in healthcare settings, including surgical versus medication, and their relative prevalence; physical and mental health effects of getting an abortion or being unable to access a desired abortion; and challenges in data collection and data reliability."

Media briefing: Reproductive health and abortion

Summary:

"This briefing, part of a series of SciLine media briefings covering key issues in the 2024 election, covered what the latest scientific research says about the latest stats on abortion, including geographic, demographic, and late- versus early-term distribution; the types of abortions that are available remotely and in healthcare settings, including surgical versus medication, and their relative prevalence; physical and mental health effects of getting an abortion or being unable to access a desired abortion; and challenges in data collection and data reliability."

Organization:

SciLine

Date:

July 11, 2024

Category:

For:

Journalists

VISIT

Article

Trauma-informed journalism: What it is, why it’s important and tips for practicing it

"Experts and journalists who have researched and worked with trauma survivors say that practicing trauma-informed journalism not only leads to better, more accurate stories, but also helps protect survivors from further harm." This explainer and tip sheet is based on a review of several reliable sources on trauma-informed reporting and interviews with Elana Newman of the Dart Center, and Tamara Cherry, founder of Pickup Communications PR agency, both experts who focus on this area.

Resource Database / Guide

Tip sheet: Reporting on hot-button topics as a science writer: Lessons from abortion coverage

CASW Connector, The Journalist's Resource

On July 11, CASW Connector and The Journalist’s Resource hosted a Chat discussing how journalists can better cover hot-button topics, focusing on abortion as an example of a medical topic that has become increasingly political. The panelists shared lessons from their research and reporting, offered guidance for journalists covering abortion, and answered questions from the audience. The event was moderated by Naseem Miller, senior health editor at The Journalist’s Resource, and the panelists were Sarah McCammon, national political correspondent at NPR who covers abortion policy among other divisive topics, and Katie Woodruff, public health social scientist in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Services at the University of California, San Francisco.

Tip sheet: Reporting on hot-button topics as a science writer: Lessons from abortion coverage

Summary:

On July 11, CASW Connector and The Journalist’s Resource hosted a Chat discussing how journalists can better cover hot-button topics, focusing on abortion as an example of a medical topic that has become increasingly political. The panelists shared lessons from their research and reporting, offered guidance for journalists covering abortion, and answered questions from the audience. The event was moderated by Naseem Miller, senior health editor at The Journalist’s Resource, and the panelists were Sarah McCammon, national political correspondent at NPR who covers abortion policy among other divisive topics, and Katie Woodruff, public health social scientist in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Services at the University of California, San Francisco.

Organization:

CASW Connector, The Journalist's Resource

Date:

July 18, 2024

Category:

For:

VISIT

Newsletter

Locally Sourced — Covering Climate Now

Covering Climate Now

Locally Sourced is a biweekly newsletter from Covering Climate Now. It's for journalists working on local angles of the climate story. Each edition includes story idea suggestions, reporting tips, and examples to serve as inspiration. It's also available in Spanish as “Fuentes Locales.”

Video

Media briefing: Tips for journalists reporting on opinion polls and surveys

SciLine

"Polling and survey research is evolving, posing an election-year challenge for reporters striving to convey results accurately and in appropriate historical context. This briefing covers current trends and novel approaches in opinion polling, the strengths and weaknesses of common types of polls and surveys, and how to interpret and report on results skillfully." Courtney Kennedy of the Pew Research Center, Gary Langer of Langer Research Associates, and Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux from the Associated Press provided examples and advice and responded to journalists’ questions.

Media briefing: Tips for journalists reporting on opinion polls and surveys

Summary:

"Polling and survey research is evolving, posing an election-year challenge for reporters striving to convey results accurately and in appropriate historical context. This briefing covers current trends and novel approaches in opinion polling, the strengths and weaknesses of common types of polls and surveys, and how to interpret and report on results skillfully." Courtney Kennedy of the Pew Research Center, Gary Langer of Langer Research Associates, and Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux from the Associated Press provided examples and advice and responded to journalists’ questions.

Organization:

SciLine

Date:

May 9, 2024

Category:

For:

Journalists

VISIT

Article

Research highlights need for public health approach in news reporting of gun violence

A May 2024 study, published in BMC Public Health, examines local television news clips covering gun violence. The study "reveals an overwhelming reliance on law enforcement narratives, missing deeper insights into the root causes and potential solutions to gun violence." This article unpacks those findings and offers recommendations for journalists covering gun violence as a public health issue.

Conference

News Impact Summit: Fighting climate misinformation

European Journalism Centre

"The News Impact Summit in Copenhagen, organized in partnership with the Google News Initiative, will address how climate misinformation undermines public trust in climate policies and stalls progress toward a green transition." Journalists and media professionals who attend the summit will attend talks, panels, workshops, and interactive discussions that "explore innovative storytelling techniques to highlight the urgency of climate action, debunk falsehoods, and empower communities to demand accountability from policymakers and industry stakeholders."

Article

Five tips for better coverage of the climate crisis

"There is consensus that climate journalism should be accurate, well-sourced, and reflect complexity and uncertainty as appropriate... But what about the huge range of audiences around the world? And the plethora of different platforms, types of reporting (issue-driven or event-driven), and varieties of media organization?" This article goes over five criteria that the authors suggest as a starting point for identifying quality climate journalism. These are: "1) relevance to audiences; 2) out of the environment box; 3) potential solutions; 4) multimodal reporting; and 5) from global to local."

Workshop

AI Spotlight Series workshops & webinars

Pulitzer Center

The Pulitzer Center's AI Spotlight Series "will offer three 'tracks' of virtual trainings to address the gaps we’ve heard about from journalists and to fit into their busy schedules: one track for reporters on any desk, one for reporters focused on covering AI or wanting to deepen their knowledge of AI reporting, and one for editors commissioning stories and thinking strategically about their team’s overall coverage." Trainings are scheduled throughout 2024 and into 2025. Visit the website for full listings and to register.

AI Spotlight Series workshops & webinars

Summary:

The Pulitzer Center's AI Spotlight Series "will offer three 'tracks' of virtual trainings to address the gaps we’ve heard about from journalists and to fit into their busy schedules: one track for reporters on any desk, one for reporters focused on covering AI or wanting to deepen their knowledge of AI reporting, and one for editors commissioning stories and thinking strategically about their team’s overall coverage." Trainings are scheduled throughout 2024 and into 2025. Visit the website for full listings and to register.

Organization:

Pulitzer Center

Dates:

Category:

For:

Journalists

VISIT

Article

The possibilities and perils of AI in the health insurance industry: An explainer and research roundup

"As artificial intelligence infiltrates virtually every aspect of life, more states in the U.S. are seeking to regulate (or at least monitor) its use. Many are passing legislation, issuing policy rules or forming committees to inform those decisions. In some cases, that includes health insurance, where AI holds great promise to speed and improve administration but also brings potential for peril, including racial bias and omissions inherent in formulas used to determine coverage approvals. "We’ve created this guide to help journalists understand the nascent regulatory landscape, including proposed state laws; which regulators are compiling and issuing guidelines; and what researchers have learned so far."

Video

Media briefing: Social media & teen health

SciLine

"An estimated 95% of teens use social media and, in a recent survey, nearly 1 in 5 teens reported being on social media platforms 'almost constantly.' SciLine’s media briefing covered how social media affects the physical and mental health of young people, including discussions about: social media usage patterns and drivers among different demographic groups; connections to mental health, including both benefits and harms; impacts on physical health via changes to sleep and eating behavior; and what parents and guardians can do to support young people’s safe and healthy social media use. Three scientists made brief presentations and then took questions on the record."

Media briefing: Social media & teen health

Summary:

"An estimated 95% of teens use social media and, in a recent survey, nearly 1 in 5 teens reported being on social media platforms 'almost constantly.' SciLine’s media briefing covered how social media affects the physical and mental health of young people, including discussions about: social media usage patterns and drivers among different demographic groups; connections to mental health, including both benefits and harms; impacts on physical health via changes to sleep and eating behavior; and what parents and guardians can do to support young people’s safe and healthy social media use. Three scientists made brief presentations and then took questions on the record."

Organization:

SciLine

Date:

June 6, 2024

Category:

For:

Journalists

VISIT

Find a resource

Library

GIJN Guide to Investigating Extreme Heat

MIT Environmental Solutions Journalism Fellowships

Logan Science Journalism Program fellowships

Repetition makes climate misinformation feel more true — even for those who back climate science

What journalists need to know when covering extreme weather and climate change

Mpox: An explainer and research roundup

Routine childhood vaccinations and changing school requirements: A primer and research roundup

Engaging the public on LGBTQ health: A conversation with journalist Erin Reed

How investigative journalists can fight back against health misinformation

Talking shop: When debunking climate disinformation gets labeled “censorship”

A freelancer’s guide to reporting on climate change

Making obscure animals and ecosystems compelling main characters

Covering abortion as a health care story, not just a political one

Media briefing: Reproductive health and abortion

Trauma-informed journalism: What it is, why it’s important and tips for practicing it

Tip sheet: Reporting on hot-button topics as a science writer: Lessons from abortion coverage

Media briefing: Tips for journalists reporting on opinion polls and surveys

Research highlights need for public health approach in news reporting of gun violence

News Impact Summit: Fighting climate misinformation

Five tips for better coverage of the climate crisis

AI Spotlight Series workshops & webinars

The possibilities and perils of AI in the health insurance industry: An explainer and research roundup

Media briefing: Social media & teen health