Sinclair, AI for Fake News, Local Newsrooms, the future of Investigative Reporting, Snapchat's eCommerce moves, Oregon's Net Neutrality law, Mariah Carey's hostel stay.

1. Week 3, Spring 2018
J408/508: Demystifying the Media
What you need to know this week

2. 1.Sinclair Broadcast Group forces news
anchors to read scripts about “fake news”
Summary
• Sinclair, one of the largest local t.v. owner in the U.S., made anchors recite scripts that warned about
misinformation from various media outlets.
via Michael Calderone of Politico: https://www.politico.com/media/newsletters/morning-media/2018/04/11/sinclair-attacks-cnn-facebook-responsible-for-content-msnbc-surges-perinos-fox-
role-grows-001489
What surprised you/why this matters
• It’s different from CNN because they are forcing all of it’s stations to do it, not just one talking head. Much of CNN
footage used to defend Sinclair to defend itself came before 2016, when Trump widely used the term “fake
news.”
• A letter from senate democrats to the FCC chairman states “must-run dictates from Sinclair harm the freedom
of the press guaranteed in the First Amendment by turning local journalists into mouthpieces for a corporate
and political agenda.”
August Howell

3. 2. “Watch Jordan Peele use AI to make Barack
Obama deliver a PSA about fake news”
Summary
• Comedian Jordan Peele demonstrates technology that allows people to fake news
conferences/speeches from major figures, something that could have frightening repercussions.
• collaboration between Peele and BuzzFeed
published on The Verge
What surprised you/why this matters
• Germane to “fake news” epidemic
• Power of emerging technologies — Face2Face
• What to do in wake of increasing capacity for deception:
1. Research the original news source
2. Have other outlets corroborated the information?
3. Does it look and seem real?
Derek Maiolo

5. 3. What keeps people in Local Newsrooms?: For local journos,
money isn't everything — 'but you've got to be able to live'
A series following a conversation about why journalists should stay in their local
newsrooms in an era of, “Shrinkage”
From Poynter by Kristen Hare: https://www.poynter.org/news/local-newsrooms-have-always-had-trouble-
keeping-local-journalists
Money is less important than the commitment to communities
• Eric Eyre barely makes a living wage and could move on to better things
• A listicle of advice for keeping reporters in the local news room
• Every two weeks there will be updates on this conversation
Sam Smargiassi

6. 4. The end of investigative journalism? Not yet
Summary
• A study of 9 American newspapers, of various sizes, from 1991-2011 shows an increase in front-page
investigative stories.
• Even though there’s been a decrease in employment at newspapers, some newspapers could still produce
meaningful investigative reports.
via Columbia Journalism Review https://www.cjr.org/analysis/newspapers-financial-crisis.php
What surprised you/why this matters
• As we’ve progressed through the Digital Age, the amount of front-page
investigative stories have increased, despite dwindling newsrooms*.
ex. The Denver Post: 1991- 0 front-page investigative reports
2011- 5% of front page stories were investigative reports
* Limit to amount of newspaper staff reductions, as seen recently by the Denver Post.
• Why it’s important: investigative reporting is a selling point for newspapers as no other media produces a
significant quantity of meaningful investigative pieces.
Michaela Bourgeois

7. 5. Snapchat + Brands = new eCommerce
channels
Summary
Snap has begun testing a commerce function within a handful of Snapchat Discover publisher channels,
according to Digiday: https://digiday.com/marketing/media-buyers-snapchat-focused-enabling-commerce-ads/
What surprised you/why this matters
• eCommerce part of Snap’s $ strategt.
• Snapchat worked with Nike in Feb. During NBA All-Star Weekend, attendees at a concert could scan a
code to see the new Air Jordan III “Tinker” sneaker, then purchase it within Snapchat via Shopify.
• Uses Snapcode functionality for products/brands/advertisers.
• Previously, Snapcodes used to unlock custom filters only.

8. 6. Oregon finalizes net neutrality law
despite likelihood that ISPs will sue
Summary
• Oregon passed a network neutrality bill into law April 9, the second US state to do so since the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to repeal nationwide rules.
Via Benton Morning Briefing: https://www.benton.org/headlines/oregon-finalizes-net-neutrality-law-despite-likelihood-isps-will-sue
What surprised you/why this matters
• Internet Service Providers operating in Oregon must disclose whether they block or throttle lawful
Internet traffic or engage in paid prioritization (subject to reasonable network management).
• A lobby group for AT&T, Verizon, and other telecommunication companies has said it plans to sue
states and cities that try to enforce net neutrality rules.
• This topic matters to consumers, who may be concerned about throttling and increased bills.
Chosen by Damian Radcliffe

9. 7. Mariah Carey's 'accidental' Hostel Stay Goes Viral
Summary
• AdAge publish a Viral Video chart each week, focusing on brand-driven social
video ad campaigns. Excludes movie trailers, video game campaigns, TV show, or TV network
promos.
What surprised you/why this matters
• Great way to see what’s resonating with audiences.
• Combines organic views - representing interested and willing audiences - and paid
views in the form of online ad placements.
http://adage.com/article/the-viral-video-
chart/mariah-carey-hostelworld/313177/

10. https://youtu.be/nsYIDBbtE_A