iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Working journalists have to learn how to use the standard technology in the field.

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I'm old enough to have heard the same things about the World Wide Web and Smartphones back in the day. This technology is here and journalists, especially young ones, have to learn how to use it wisely.

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Yup. Trying to ignore this technology would be like trying to ignore the spread of personal computers. But teaching how to use it accurately, ethically and effectively is the real focus.

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CNN factchecker Daniel Dale: "It’s abundantly clear that there is no public official in Washington who lies like Trump...I’ve heard people dismiss Trump’s mendacity with a shrugging “they all lie,” but we are witnessing a rare, very possibly once-in-a-lifetime political liar." READ: loom.ly/EPklMOY

I started fact-checking Trump 10 years ago. Here are 15 things I’ve learned | CNN Politics

Ten years ago this month, in my old job as Washington correspondent for the Toronto Star, I started what I believed would be a quick little side project: fact-checking underdog presidential candidate ...

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 11h

That's exactly the point. How do news organizations know how many times Donald Trump's name appears in 3 million pages of documents from the investigations into Jeffrey Epstein? AI can do the count relatively quickly.

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 11h

What AI is good for in journalism is processing vast amounts of data. It's good at helping you understand the contours of a complicated story to suggest where you might concentrate reporting and analysis. It can help you see patterns in data or make sure you understand its meaning.

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 11h

Before you go see that new movie about NBC's "To Catch a Predator" reports, read this amazing story digging deep into the moment when one of the subjects of their stings killed himself as police were about to arrest him. READ: loom.ly/-4ELfOk

esquire.com

Tonight on Dateline This Man Will Die

NBC's 'To Catch a Predator' arrived in Murphy, Texas, to conduct a sting operation. The only honest thing that followed was the gunshot.

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 12h

Knee jerk assumptions about AI use help no one. Ultimately, it's a tool, like a computer or Google. And it has beneficial uses in journalism.

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 13h

Given that one of our responsibilities is going to be to teach students how to effectively and responsibly use AI in journalism, its probably a good thing you've exempted yourself from the running. But thanks for your consideration.

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 14h

In this essay, I take look at why I so dislike projects like The New York Times 100 Best TV Shows of the 21st Century. Perplexing rankings, excluded shows and a U.S. TV-centric list is only part of the problem. Read on: loom.ly/f4976iA

ericdeggans.substack.com

Why I usually dislike lists like The New York Times’ 100 Best TV Shows of the 21st Century

It’s likely not for the reason you think.

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Just a little time left to apply for the Donald W. Reynolds Chair in Business Journalism at Washington and Lee University. The position: Full professor w/tenure teaching business journalism, coaching young journalists. I head the search committee; deadline is Oct. 1. APPLY NOW: loom.ly/opz2h7k

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That's just a sample of the work we did. We covered it a lot.

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Margaret and I disagree on this point. I think there was plenty of reporting out there about who and what Trump was. At NPR, we covered the heck out of Project 2025. But voters chose him anyway. That's the question we should be trying to answer.

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I'm going to be asking questions rooted in fact, not supposition and exaggeration. There has been a lot of coverage of questions about Trump's health, mentally and physically. Before the election and after. I don't think people voted for Trump because the press didn't tell them who he was.

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As I recall, he reposted one tweet with speculation from another journalist that Biden might have symptoms of Parkinsons, deleted it and apologized. Perhaps I missed other coverage.

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Dick Cheney’s doctor questions secrecy around Trump’s health | CNN

Go to Google and look up CNN Trump health questions and you will see lots of stories, including this one: www.cnn.com/2026/08/13/h...

cnn.com

Dr. Jonathan Reiner joins The Lead.

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I read his Reliable Sources newsletter every day. He's hardly in the tank for Trump. That's just BS. And Biden absolutely did hide his physical and cognitive decline from voters. Journalists were right to keep asking about it.

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I don't agree with any of that.

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Honored to interrogate CNN Chief Media analyst Brian Stelter on Friday for the keynote presentation at the Society of Professional Journalists national convention in Ohio. DETAILS if you want to JOIN US: loom.ly/RNhFJEk

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A couple of weeks ago, I invited decisionmakers from six area news platforms to a public forum on state of local journalism. A wonderful mix of students, faculty and Lexington residents joined the discussion; the student newspaper at Washington and Lee has a wonderful write up. READ: loom.ly/JfDjxGI

Journalists discuss future of local news - The Ring-tum Phi

Local journalists say readers still want their reporting. The harder questions are how to pay for it — and how to earn readers’ trust. Those challenges took center stage on Sept. 16 as leaders from lo...

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Super sad to see my favorite NPR newsletter, the regular chronicle of smart race and culture commentary called Code Switch, is going away. Check out its final edition here: loom.ly/dv9rJwg

Newsletter continues after sponsor message

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Since Elon Musk seems to hate this documentary about him from one of my favorite non-fiction filmmakers, Alex Gibney, figured it was my duty to spread a link to the trailer so you can see it for yourself. ENJOY: loom.ly/oA2_-p8

youtu.be

Musk | Official Trailer | Bleecker Street

Musk

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

youtu.be

Musk | Official Trailer | Bleecker Street

Musk

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They are trying so hard to silence us. Glad I spoke about Ida B. Wells in my classes today.

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As ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ ends its season, this fan frets on Trek’s future

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds airs its season finale tonight. Here's my essay w/words from star Anson Mount, co-showrunner Akiva Goldsman, other Trek folks - Jeri Ryan! - looking at Trek's 60th b-day, fears for its future and my near-30 years covering the franchise. READ: loom.ly/J1hun2o

ericdeggans.substack.com

As a nerd who has watched and loved Star Trek for much of my life, I worry for its future in a pivotal time. Here’s an essay with some thoughts on why it may be struggling now

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Honored to be among the speakers at The Texas Tribune Festival this weekend, moderating a panel on how journalists and journalism may be redefined in the modern age. DETAILS: loom.ly/k-4RuLw

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

If you missed: My essay looking at terms of the settlement Paramount finagled to allow its mega merger with Warner Bros Discovery, in which I conclude every major institution that was supposed to protect the public failed us. READ: loom.ly/f2GO8no

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Honored to be among 8 jurors for latest installment of the duPont-Columbia journalism awards, which have helped set standards for audio and video reporting for over 80 years. Given the achievements of my fellow jurors, I'm expecting to do a lot of listening and learning. DETAILS: loom.ly/JnItidM

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

They’re trying to enact as much of their game plan as possible before the midterms cripple their power.

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Reposted by Eric Deggans

Just Melodie @justmelodie.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

This is a good read. 🖖🏾

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There’s a Deal, Now It’s All About the Details. Paramount, 12 States to Settle Warner Bros. Fight

Looking over the relatively toothless requirements of the state AGs settlement with Paramount ending the suit opposing its acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, I'm reminded of a philosophy often attributed to News Corp/Fox News mogul Rupert Murdoch: Money always wins. loom.ly/p46NT3E

hollywoodreporter.com

The fine-print of the agreement is expected to be announced later Monday.

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If u missed: As a bona fide Star Trek geek who has also covered the franchise as a critic for nearly 30 years - yikes! - I offer an essay on my fears for its future and why it may not be connecting with many new fans. READ: loom.ly/J1hun2o

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NYTimes sez traditional news networks have suspended pool coverage of Trump after his ban of 3 news outlets from the White House. Question now: is this what the administration wanted, to replace independent news networks with sycophantic platforms right before midterms? loom.ly/yQwV7_0

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Wanted to send a quick note to thank the six journalism leaders at our first Meet the Press event at Washington and Lee University in Virginia. On Sept. 16, we welcomed leaders from Radio I.Q., Charlottesville Tomorrow, the Rockbridge Advocate, Cardinal News, The News-Gazette and Lee Enterprises!

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Words can't describe how sad I was to hear of the passing of Rose Friedman, one of the best, kindest, most effective editors I ever worked with at NPR. She died much too young, leaving behind an incredible family and legacy as a journalist. Cancer sucks. loom.ly/orD0mRE

Editor Rose Friedman, who helped shape NPR's cultural coverage, dies at 38

Friedman was in her early 20s when she landed her first position as an editorial assistant at NPR. She became an editor and reporter, and a co-creator of the annual Books We Love reading guide.

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The Society of Professional Journalists and the National Association of Black Journalists are among the groups that denounced President Trump's ban of news outlets from the White House. READ: loom.ly/CaYa64k

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So excited to see HBO's Lanterns setting viewership records. Before the show debuted, I wrote a piece for my Substack about why even people who don't usually like superhero series might like this one. Glad to see I got this one right. READ: loom.ly/1KPioDw

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