* The best way to counter misinformation and outright fake news–whoever the partisans, whatever the platforms–is with an informed electorate. Absent that, anything is possible–including the undermining of democracy.
* It wasn’t too long ago, of course, that this market had two major daily newspapers. What’s weird is that the surviving Tampa Bay Times is now thinner than it used to be. But obits are alive and well and remain a notable, prominent staple. Also noteworthy: the lack of proof-reading–from incorrect page jumps to misspellings, including headlines, to mislabelings–no, Gwen Graham is not a Republican.
Speaking of, the Times just announced a series of staff promotions. One included the newly created position of “audience editor,” which deals with the expansion of the Times’ online reach.
It makes sense in the constantly morphing worlds of journalism and technology. But too bad the new position wasn’t “proof-reading czar.”
* Plaudits to the Craig Newmark Foundation for its proactive, $1 million gift to the Times’ owner, the Poynter Institute. “I want to stand up for trustworthy journalism, and I want to stand against deceptive and fake news,” said Craig Newmark, who is also the founder of Craigslist.
* Underscoring the import of Newmark’s commitment, this just in from the Pew Research Center: Survey results showed that nearly one fourth of Americans acknowledge having shared fake news. Sobering.
* Nice to hear that former Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden is the subject of a major documentary, “The Bowden Dynasty: A Story of Faith, Family & Football,” that will be making its debut at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Pete next month–the night before the national championship game in Tampa. Good timing too–the movie was finished before Bowden had a chance to campaign for Donald Trump in Tampa.