Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

USC Center for Health Journalism @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · 3h

Data journalism director of @washingtonpost.com, @meghanhoyer.bsky.social, shared these valuable tips in her "You Be the Data Editor" presentation during our Data Fellowship Week.

#CHJDataFellowship #DataJournalism #ReportingTips #StorytellingWithData #InvestigativeJournalism

Graphic titled "You Be the Data Editor" featuring Meghan Hoyer, with a quote about maintaining skepticism regarding data accuracy and completeness.

Graphic featuring Meghan Hoyer with a quote encouraging the use of a data diary to document each step of the data process.

USC Center for Health Journalism @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · 5h

Cheryl Phillips (@cephillips), founder/co-director of Big Local News at Stanford University, shared her secrets for using open records with our 2025 Data Fellows.

#CHJDataFellowship #DataJournalism #OpenRecords #FOIA #Transparency #PublicRecords #InvestigativeJournalism

Promotional graphic for Data Fellowship 2025, held October 7–10, featuring Cheryl Phillips of Stanford University speaking into a microphone. The yellow background includes a quote about data journalism and public records, with event and sponsor details from USC Annenberg.

USC Center for Health Journalism @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · 11h

How do you bulletproof the #data you use for your #reporting?
@maryjowebster.bsky.social — data editor at the @startribune.com & a Center for Health Journalism Data Senior Fellow — shared her #tips with our 2025 Data Fellows.

Which strategies do you use? Have tips to add?
#CHJDataFellowship

Slide with yellow "Bulletproofing Data Tips" headline, photo of a woman with her face obscured, and a tip about finding flaws in data.

Slide with yellow "Bulletproofing Data Tips" headline and data tip about assumptions and consulting experts.

USC Center for Health Journalism @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · 1d

On why journalists can be skeptical about AI:

"Emerging technologies, I think, often get inflicted on our industry, like Craigslist, Google search, social media and the pivot to video. We're often reacting to the stuff.”

USC Center for Health Journalism @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · 1d

Davis on the value proposition of AI in journalism:

“What problems do I see that this might present some solution to, or, more importantly, what problems do I see that previously weren't solvable?”

#CHJDataFellowship #AItools #datajournalism

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USC Center for Health Journalism @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · 1d

Our 2025 Data Fellowship keynote speaker, veteran data journalist Chase Davis, led a conversation how the rise of generative #AI is impacting #journalism.

Seek opportunities to use AI tools to make the seemingly impossible, possible. But double- and triple-check everything, he advises.

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USC Center for Health Journalism @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · 2d

He emphasized that health is influenced by broader social & political factors than genetics & access to quality care. Health can be shaped by #narrative & right now the White House is pushing an exclusionary narrative. But reporters can shift that narrative. #healthinequity #healthpolicy #reporting

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USC Center for Health Journalism @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · 2d

Tony Iton, the CEO of The Health Trust and lecturer of health policy and management, @berkeleypublichlth.bsky.social, kicked off our Data Fellowship Week yesterday with his presentation, "Using Data to Unearth Health Inequity."

#CHJDataFellowship #datajournalism #healthjournalism

A man speaks at a microphone; the graphic headline reads "Narrative Shapes Policy" with a quote by Tony Iton, MD, JD, MPH, about the impact of narrative on policy and health, and the importance of reporters' influence, for a USC Annenberg Data Fellowship event.

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USC Center for Health Journalism @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · 3d

We are grateful for the support of the @chcfnews.bsky.social , the @dorisdukefdn.bsky.social and @calendow.bsky.social.

#healthjournalism #datajournalism #reportingskills

USC Center for Health Journalism @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · 3d

And @lost-steno-pad.bsky.social, Abigail Vân Neely, Lauren Peace, Kathleen Quinn, Teghan Simonton, Sara Tiano, Ethan Varian, Elaine Williams & @davidzahniser.bsky.social

We are excited to support your reporting and deepen your data skills in the coming months!

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USC Center for Health Journalism @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · 3d

Congratulations to Audrey Brown, Christopher Burrell, Rebecca Cadenhead, @wadrewhawkins.bsky.social , Will Katcher, @josephinelee.bsky.social , Rachel Livinal, @jimmylovrien.bsky.social

#CHJDataFellowship #DataFellows

ky.social

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USC Center for Health Journalism @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · 3d

We are proud to announce the journalists who are participating in our 2025 Data Fellowship that equips reporters to use the power of original data analysis to investigate health care, health equity & child well-being challenges, & to highlight promising paths forward. bit.ly/CHJ2025DataFellows

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Reposted by USC Center for Health Journalism

Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 10d

When nutrition for kids becomes a target in the war on inclusion. centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins... @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social

The Health Divide: If MAHA wants kids to eat healthier, why cut the school food programs that support that?

As SNAP budget cuts and expanded work requirements kick in, millions of children may lose access to free school meals.

centerforhealthjournalism.org

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USC Center for Health Journalism @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · 10d

That's a wrap! Thanks to our panelists Roy Mitchell, April Simpson & @acvollers.bsky.social & to everyone who joined for “What the South Tells Us About Medicaid’s Future.” Recap/recording coming to our website soon.

Learn more about our panelists
: centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/web...

What the South Tells Us About Medicaid’s Future

centerforhealthjournalism.org

USC Center for Health Journalism @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · 10d

Mitchell says: To cover #ACA subsidy cuts / #Medicaid debates, "Leverage your local state advocacy groups to collect data and stories—and show how policies really impact communities." They know eligibility rules, hold real stories, and have community trust. Avoid bumper-sticker narratives.

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USC Center for Health Journalism @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · 10d

When officials don’t collect/release data (e.g., maternal health), lean on respected experts, vetted advocacy orgs, and multiple lived-experience cases to fill gaps and show impact, says Vollers. #Medicaid #Webinar

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USC Center for Health Journalism @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · 10d

#Medicaid work rules = paperwork gauntlet. Georgia spent $50M+ on a reporting system; after ~2 years only ~9,000 enrolled. Even a social worker waited 6 months to get approved. Expect low enrollment & high admin burden @acvollers.bsky.social explains.

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USC Center for Health Journalism @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · 10d

Levander tip: On-the-ground is unbeatable, but social can open doors. For sensitive interviews, use plain language, explain ground rules, offer on/off-camera options & give sources control. Protect identities as needed; show past work to build trust. Portray people with agency, not just as victims.

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USC Center for Health Journalism @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · 10d

Simpson continues: Find people through advocates + local networks. On-the-ground intros & a lively Madison Parish Community Facebook group led me to good sources. Work your sources—online & IRL. #Journalism #ReportingTips

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USC Center for Health Journalism @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · 10d

To show real impacts, follow the gap-fillers reporter April Simpson suggests. #Midwives + community clinics. A ride-along in rural West TN/KY revealed #prenatalaccess hurdles & hostility reported during hospital transfers. Find the frontline providers to surface #systemicbarriers. #Webinar #Medicaid

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USC Center for Health Journalism @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · 10d

@acvollers.bsky.social urges reporters to build sources now, before policy shifts land. Invest in communities you don’t share a language with; connect with doctors, advocates, and on-the-ground orgs so you’re first to hear and ready to report when changes hit. #JournalismTip #HealthEquity #Reporting

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USC Center for Health Journalism @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · 10d

Another tip from Vollers: Follow reimbursements. In AL, low #Medicaid pay means few counselors for new moms. And even “non-Medicaid” features should thread policy. Non-expansion fuels #rural hospital closures. You can weave Medicaid into almost any health story. #Webinar #Journalist #ReporterTip

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USC Center for Health Journalism @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · 10d

Pair #Medicaid policy with history and agency: Medicaid’s roots intersect civil rights. Center people doing the work today, not just what’s missing, @acvollers.bsky.social says. #ReporterTip #Webinar

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USC Center for Health Journalism @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · 10d

Reporter tip from Vollers: Don’t stop at “coverage exists.” Ask providers what #Medicaid actually pays. Reimbursement levels determine whether #postpartum mental-health visits happen at all & cuts to some groups ripple through whole families. #Journalism #MaternalHealth

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USC Center for Health Journalism @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · 10d

Mental health (suicide/overdose) is the leading underlying cause of pregnancy-related death. #Medicaid #MaternalHealth #ALpolitics

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