Who's behind the news?
Who's behind the news?
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Newsjunkie.net is a resource guide for journalists. We show who's behind the news, and provide tools to help navigate the modern business of information.
Use of Data
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1.5.0
CJR. Who should teach our student journalists?
The largest college journalism conference in the US, MediaFest, originally featured some controversial panelists. One critical professor, Steven Sandberg, stated: “These speakers’ work doesn’t exist in a vacuum. LGBTQ students are feeling targeted by our administration, by the government, and by society. So, I was disappointed to see them bring in people who espoused anti-LGBT views.” While leaders of the conference felt it was more about what the speakers could teach about the essence of journalism than their personal views. In the end, a new panel has been formed, but not because of their beliefs. -acs
The Times. Madagascar's president flees after military joins revolt
Youth protests in Madagascar have been ongoing for weeks, triggered by chronic power and water shortages that spurred the population to rise up against their leader. The military ultimately joined the revolt on the side of the citizens, forcing President Andry Rajoelina to flee the country. Colonel Michael Randrianirina defended the military's actions, stating, "I can call it chaos, but it's not chaos caused by the army, it's chaos caused by the leader.” -acs
CalMatters. Gov Newsom signs bill to increase pay for CA's incarcerated firefighters
Pay for incarcerated firefighters has increased to Federal minimum wage while on active duty, making their hourly pay greater than what most used to make in a day. Additionally, the proposed 7-bill plan will support job opportunities upon their release. -acs
New Lines Magazine. Turkish journalist, Fatih Altaylı, continues to report from behind bars
Veteran Turkish journalist Fatih Altaylı, jailed on charges of threatening President Erdoğan, continues to report and break scoops from prison through letters and his popular YouTube channel, where his empty chair has become a symbol of defiance. Despite censorship attempts and loss of sponsors, his audience has grown, demonstrating enduring public support for independent journalism in Turkey. -acs
NYT. Trump's university compact is closer to extortion than compromise
President Trump’s plan to require universities to sign federal “compacts” in exchange for funding is drawing sharp criticism, with legal experts warning it threatens academic independence and free expression. Critics argue the proposal represents a constitutional overreach that could erode universities’ ability to govern themselves. -acs
ProPublica. The Trump administration canceled 94 million pounds of USDA food aid
From meat and eggs to produce, Trump era budget cuts are depriving food banks and vulnerable communities of critical nutrition. ProPublica obtained records from the Department of Agriculture that detail the millions of pounds of food, down to the number of eggs, that never reached food banks because of the administration’s cuts. -acs
The Miami Herald. Hundreds of Alligator Alcatraz detainees unable to be located after facility shutdown
Immigration attorneys state that ICE officers are no longer following standard detention procedures. Consequently, with records not updated by officials, hundreds of detained men are now unaccounted for, their whereabouts unknown. -acs
CJR. Security experts say they are increasingly concerned about the risk of violence in the US
Experts at several news organizations are concerned about rhetorical escalation surrounding violence coming from citizens and US officials alike. Areas of particular concern are journalists and protestors who have been facing increased violence due to enhanced surveillance and military involvement. -acs
Reuters. Israel military killed 5 Reuters journalists in August after firing without approval
The Israeli military claimed they targeted a Hamas camera in an August strike that killed five journalists, but a Reuters investigation revealed the device belonged to them. Reuters reported that the camera had been placed in the same spot 35 times since May, broadcasting live from Khan Younis. -acs
The New Republic. A historic reminder for those entertaining the idea of a Civil War: let's not forget what a war looks like
Historian David W. Blight uses the 163rd anniversary of the Battle of Antietam to caution against the growing use of civil war rhetoric in American politics, pinpointing figures like Donald Trump and reactions to Charlie Kirk’s death. -acs
Just Security. The UN declared Israel is committing a genocide, but how will justice be served?
A UN-commissioned inquiry has concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, finding that its authorities have carried out four of the five acts defined under the 1948 Genocide Convention: killing, causing serious bodily or mental harm, creating conditions calculated to bring about physical destruction, and imposing measures to prevent births. -acs
NYT. How China's history with censorship can give us insight into our future
Journalist Li Yuan asked a naturalized American lawyer from China about the state of our democracy, and whether or not we should be worried for the future. His response, “as long as late-night talk show hosts can still make fun of the president, American democracy is safe.” Now that we are on the other side of that remark, where do we go from here and what lessons can we learn from China? -acs
Dazed. Nan Goldin in conversation with Mahmoud Khalil
Mahmoud Khalil told Dazed that U.S. authorities detained him for more than three months despite his legal residency, saying the ordeal was retaliation for his pro-Palestinian activism. Khalil detailed the harsh conditions he faced in detention and emphasized the importance of solidarity, resilience, and hope in sustaining the broader movement for Palestinian justice. -acs
The New Republic. DOJ deletes study on politics of domestic terrorists
The Justice Department removed a 2024 study by the National Institute of Justice that found right‑wing violence “continues to outpace all other types of terrorism and domestic violent extremism” in the U.S., including far more far‑right attacks since 1990 than from far‑left or radical Islamist extremists. Critics argue the removal reflects a political motive to reshape the narrative around which side is responsible for political violence. -acs
NYT. The American flag is being co-opted by foreign far-right movements
There has been a growing presence of the Stars and Stripes being co-opted by far-right groups in foreign countries. Most recently, a ginormous American flag acted as the centerpiece to a Brazilian independence day movement, where many participants praised President Donald Trump for attempting to intervene in ex-president, Bolsonaro’s, trial. -acs
The Washington Post. Bolsonaro sented to prison for coup and assassination plot
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been sentenced to over 27 years in prison after Brazil’s Supreme Court convicted him of orchestrating a military coup following his 2022 election loss. The court found that Bolsonaro led a criminal conspiracy involving assassination plans against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and other officials, aiming to dismantle democratic institutions and retain power. The ruling marks the first time a former Brazilian president has been convicted of such crimes, reflecting a significant step in the country's commitment to democratic accountability. Bolsonaro, who denies the charges and did not attend the trial, remains under house arrest and is expected to appeal the decision. -acs
ABC. Multiple HBCUs and other institutions on lockdown after receiving violent threats
Last week, several HBCUs were put on lockdown with nonessential activities after receiving threats from an anonymous source. The FBI is investigating, but so far says there is no indication the threats are credible, though the incidents renew concerns about racially motivated intimidation at HBCUs especially in the wake of American discussions regarding political violence. -acs
NPR. UK’s US ambassador fired due to connection with Epstein
Newly released emails show Peter Mandelson, Britain’s ambassador to the U.S., expressed support for Jeffrey Epstein during Epstein’s 2008 prosecution, calling him a “best pal” and urging him to “fight for early release.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has since dismissed Mandelson over the revelations, amid criticism that his ties to Epstein were not fully understood or disclosed at the time of appointment. -acs
The Atlantic. Will NATO stand strong?
Poland was hit by a swarm of Russian drones, which has triggered the enactment of Article 4 in a pivotal moment for NATO. The world must now see whether the United States will honor its commitment to defend Europe, or if it will opt out and let Europe act alone. -acs
Hoosier AG Today. Farm bankruptcies in 2025 already greater than 2024
As of July, 259 US farms filed for bankruptcy. Prices have gone up and value has decreased, now communities could face economic upheaval. A concern of ours is underreported stories of significance. Why aren’t larger outlets reporting on this issue? -acs
Brennan Center for Justice. The DOJ wants to know your voting status
What will the next US election look like? It's not a new question, given the country's dynamic election cycle, but minor voting details could be changing. President Donald Trump has shown disdain for the current process, especially mail-in ballots. Now, it's been publicly reported that the DOJ has requested information or meetings about election administration from at least 26 states, and has asked at least 21 of them for voter registration lists. So, what's really going on behind the scenes? -acs
Time. Utility bills could be the next hotbed political issue
According to environmental policy scholars, electricity has the potential to play a much larger role in US politics in the upcoming years. There are several factors being considered including the price of operating a business, environmental pollution, and the increase in electricity use with the advent of AI. All of these factors are definitely affecting the consumer, with data from the Energy Information Administration finding that “across the U.S., electricity-price increases have outpaced inflation, increasing 13% since 2022.” -acs
NYT. Trump wants to rename the Department of Defense to the War Department
Last week, President Donald Trump announced his intention to rename the "Department of Defense" the "War Department," claiming it would restore the US's glory, especially during this war-torn era. While this executive order may not fundamentally alter the institution's role, it suggests further action, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated, “We’re not just defense, we’re offense.” Will this name change be more than just a semantic shift, and what implications could it have for the future of US offense operations? -acs
Politico. Supreme Court lifts restrictions on ICE raids in Los Angeles
ICE raids are already tearing apart communities with unprecedented occurrences and midday abductions, yet minimal checks and balances from government officials have done little to mitigate their effects. Now, the Supreme Court has lifted restrictions that protected communities from outright racial profiling, leaving foreign language speakers and members of targeted ethnic groups even more vulnerable to ICE officers. -acs
AP. 80th anniversary of the Nagasaki bombing shows that hope in the hands of Japan’s youth
Survivors of the A-bomb continue their tireless efforts to ensure Nagasaki remains the last place on Earth ever hit with a bomb of that magnitude. As they age, they place their hope in the nation's youth to raise awareness about "the atomic bomb [that] brought invisible terror," and the lasting symptoms survivors battle. To keep their stories alive, some living survivors have "started to digitize the narratives of survivors for viewing on YouTube and other social media platforms with the help of a new generation," so that war and nuclear weapons can be abolished, and peace can prevail. -acs
The Citizen. Political suppression and the fight for Peachtree City's Planning Commission
Journalist and local politician, Kenneth Hammer, is under fire for his occupation, as political rivals use it to campaign against him in an upcoming election. But Hammer, as a dedicated reporter, has not let this slide, taking his case to the public in order to fight for a seat at the table. -acs
Ohio Capital Journalism. Ohio faith leaders call on governor to speak out for Chaplain at risk of deportation
Former chaplain of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Ayman Soliman, risks deportation amidst the Trump Administration’s crackdown on immigrants. Soliman was granted asylum in 2018 after being punished and beaten by the Egyptian government for his collaboration with journalists during the Arab Spring uprising. Now, prompted by the governments dedication to deporting as many people as possible, Soliman is at risk of being placed back in the hands of those who will surely harm him. According to OCJ, “more than a dozen faith leaders gathered at the Ohio Statehouse Monday to urge Gov. Mike DeWine to stand up” for Soliman as he did for Haitian immigrants last year. -acs
Reuters. Kilmar Abrego, detained by ICE soon after his return to the US, may be facing deportation to Uganda
After being wrongfully detained and deported to El Salvador, Abrego was returned to the US only to be arrested again. The arrest occurred during a scheduled interview at the Baltimore ICE office on the morning of August 25. Prosecutors have offered him deportation to Costa Rica if he pleads guilty, but his lawyers are fighting the charges, claiming vindictive prosecution by the administration. -acs
Brennan Center for Justice. Understanding and combatting political corruption in the modern era
From the abuse of public office for private gain, to lying and firing, systems big and small work hard to disrupt the hardened political system of the United States. Corruption is not purely a partisan issue, it has been seen on both ends of the spectrum, combatting it, no matter where it surfaces, is our duty as American citizens. The first step? Recognition. -acs
LA Times. UCLA's Jewish community condemns Trump's efforts to remove the university's funding
Jewish faculty members from UCLA came together to write a letter to Trump condemning his threats against the university as ‘misguided and punitive.’ The letter draws from people with views all across the board regarding the war in Gaza, but the consensus finds that cutting research funding does “nothing to make UCLA safer for Jews nor diminish antisemitism in the world.” -acs
The Washington Post. Trump nominates Heritage Foundation economist, E.J. Antoni, for BLS position
Despite receiving a PhD in Economics from Northern Illinois University, many find the prospective BLS nominee to be highly unqualified for the job. Their arguments center on the BLS's intended non-partisan role, where appointments are not tied to specific presidencies, and the nominee's status as a vocal BLS critic. It's clear that Antoni is a partisan candidate, partly responsible for Project 2025, a policy initiative adopted by the Trump administration. -acs
Columbia Journalism Review. Journalism can hold a mirror to power, or it can be an active force against it
How can ordinary people live so close to evil? Professor Lisa Armstrong investigates the parallels between journalism during the rise of the Nazis and journalism in the contemporary American age. Armstrong makes the claim “[modern journalism must not be] merely a mirror, but a moral force that actively resists the erosion of truth and democracy.“ -acs
Defense One. Understanding the new ways the government conducts citizen surveillance
By declaring a “crime emergency” in Washington D.C., President Trump has officially intertwined the U.S. military and law enforcement in ways that were previously unseen. The U.S. military has access to state-of-the-art weaponry and surveillance technology that could irreversibly change the freedom of civilians. The introduction of AI in these methods allows for an even deeper look into the average American, accessing data from multiple sectors of life. -acs
Edited by Alex Smythe, Damon Gitelman, AC Blaisdell, and Gordon Whiting