Kevin Lerner
@klerner.bsky.social
Professor and Chair of Journalism and Sports Media at Montclair State University. I am a journalism historian, studying press criticism, and literary & alternative journalism.
Reposted by Kevin Lerner
Condé Nast folded a beloved magazine that treated youth and feminism as political topics, not trends. Read Sarah Leonard.
www.cjr.org/feature/the-...
www.cjr.org/feature/the-...
What the closure of Teen Vogue means for journalism.
Condé Nast folded a beloved magazine that treated youth and feminism as political topics, not trends.
www.cjr.org
November 12, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Condé Nast folded a beloved magazine that treated youth and feminism as political topics, not trends. Read Sarah Leonard.
www.cjr.org/feature/the-...
www.cjr.org/feature/the-...
Reposted by Kevin Lerner
New favourite example of structural ambiguity
November 5, 2025 at 4:54 AM
New favourite example of structural ambiguity
I saw Phil Rosenthal live tonight at The Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ—hometown of Mikie Sherrill—while reloading election returns.
November 5, 2025 at 4:21 AM
I saw Phil Rosenthal live tonight at The Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ—hometown of Mikie Sherrill—while reloading election returns.
Reposted by Kevin Lerner
No matter the platform you should have your default feed be reverse chron of who/what you follow and curate and diversify that feed.
You’ll be better informed and less prone to disinfo and group think.
This is a hill I will die on.
You’ll be better informed and less prone to disinfo and group think.
This is a hill I will die on.
“As users ‘dislike’ posts, the system will learn what sort of content they want to see less of. This will help to inform more than just how content is ranked in feeds, but also reply rankings.”
Bluesky hits 40 million users, introduces 'dislikes' beta | TechCrunch
As users "dislike" posts, the system will learn what sort of content they want to see less of. This will help to inform more than just how content is ranked in feeds, but also reply rankings.
techcrunch.com
October 31, 2025 at 11:06 PM
No matter the platform you should have your default feed be reverse chron of who/what you follow and curate and diversify that feed.
You’ll be better informed and less prone to disinfo and group think.
This is a hill I will die on.
You’ll be better informed and less prone to disinfo and group think.
This is a hill I will die on.
Reposted by Kevin Lerner
In the wake of Indiana University's crackdown on student journalism, one alum cancelled $1.5 million in bequests, and another is putting the brakes on a $300k gift.
www.indystar.com/story/news/e...
www.indystar.com/story/news/e...
IU alumni pull $1M-plus in donations amid fight over control of student newspaper
Some Indiana University graduates are finding other ways to support the Indiana Daily Student after Media School's actions.
www.indystar.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:20 AM
In the wake of Indiana University's crackdown on student journalism, one alum cancelled $1.5 million in bequests, and another is putting the brakes on a $300k gift.
www.indystar.com/story/news/e...
www.indystar.com/story/news/e...
Reposted by Kevin Lerner
Well this is delightful and hopeful. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/s...
Running a Local Paper? In This Economy?
www.nytimes.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:11 AM
Well this is delightful and hopeful. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/s...
Reposted by Kevin Lerner
"Regardless of whether the precise number is 5, 6, 7, or 8 million, Saturday’s events are very likely the biggest single-day protest event since 1970, surpassing even the 2017 Women’s March demonstrations against Trump."
After adding new data to our spreadsheet, our central estimate of turnout for the No Kings Day protests yesterday has risen to 5.5 million, with an upper bound of 8.7 www.gelliottmorris.com/p/second-no-...
Second "No Kings Day" protests likely the largest single-day political demonstration since 1970, with 4.2-7.6 million participants
Here are the initial results from our crowdsourced crowd-counting estimates
www.gelliottmorris.com
October 19, 2025 at 3:50 PM
"Regardless of whether the precise number is 5, 6, 7, or 8 million, Saturday’s events are very likely the biggest single-day protest event since 1970, surpassing even the 2017 Women’s March demonstrations against Trump."
Uncritical, pandering happy talk journalism can be just as harmful as dishonest, bad faith partisan journalism.
October 13, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Uncritical, pandering happy talk journalism can be just as harmful as dishonest, bad faith partisan journalism.
Reposted by Kevin Lerner
This is a niche - and frankly not shocking - local union gripe. Why would a national news outlet cover this? Also, I have sources in the unions and I think (shockingly) the FP framing is a bit overblown. Cops are usually very skeptical of the left but also hopeful for better pay.
CBS News would never put a thinly sourced 'story' by a rookie blogger like this on it's air. Until now. The Free Press isn't a journalism outlet, it's bloggers aren't reporters. This piece is more NYPost than Tiffany Network but I guess that's the goal.
www.cbsnews.com/video/some-n...
www.cbsnews.com/video/some-n...
Some NYPD officers worry about Mandani becoming the NYC mayor, The Free Press reports
The Free Press spoke to several New York City Police Department officers who are worried about Zohran Mamdani becoming mayor. Olivia Reingold joins CBS News with more.
www.cbsnews.com
October 13, 2025 at 3:14 PM
This is a niche - and frankly not shocking - local union gripe. Why would a national news outlet cover this? Also, I have sources in the unions and I think (shockingly) the FP framing is a bit overblown. Cops are usually very skeptical of the left but also hopeful for better pay.
Reposted by Kevin Lerner
In 1947, some Hollywood stars including Henry Fonda stood up to anti-communist witch hunts.
Now, Jane Fonda and artists like Viola Davis, Pedro Pascal and Billie Eilish are reviving their organization — the Committee for the First Amendment — to defend free speech again.
buff.ly/B79gBQX #polisky
Now, Jane Fonda and artists like Viola Davis, Pedro Pascal and Billie Eilish are reviving their organization — the Committee for the First Amendment — to defend free speech again.
buff.ly/B79gBQX #polisky
Jane Fonda, other stars, revive the Committee for the First Amendment – a group that emerged when the anti-communist panic came for Hollywood
Even after the original group fizzled, many of its members were able to keep making films with progressive messages.
buff.ly
October 8, 2025 at 11:02 PM
In 1947, some Hollywood stars including Henry Fonda stood up to anti-communist witch hunts.
Now, Jane Fonda and artists like Viola Davis, Pedro Pascal and Billie Eilish are reviving their organization — the Committee for the First Amendment — to defend free speech again.
buff.ly/B79gBQX #polisky
Now, Jane Fonda and artists like Viola Davis, Pedro Pascal and Billie Eilish are reviving their organization — the Committee for the First Amendment — to defend free speech again.
buff.ly/B79gBQX #polisky
Reposted by Kevin Lerner
now that the news is official: some thoughts on Bari Weiss taking over at CBS News, and what it means that the Free Press—a publication that never apologizes or corrects itself when its "reporting" is ripped to shreds—is touted as a needed dose of "trust and integrity" slate.com/technology/2...
CBS Is About to Hand Over Its Newsroom to an Anti-Woke Crusader. You Should Be Worried.
She’s made a career railing against “wokeness.” Now she’s in charge of a venerated newsroom.
slate.com
October 6, 2025 at 3:09 PM
now that the news is official: some thoughts on Bari Weiss taking over at CBS News, and what it means that the Free Press—a publication that never apologizes or corrects itself when its "reporting" is ripped to shreds—is touted as a needed dose of "trust and integrity" slate.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Kevin Lerner
1/ DEVELOPING: A journalist was rushed to New York-Presbyterian Hospital following another incident with an ICE agent at 26 Federal Plaza, an immigration court in NYC. The last I heard, he was getting X-rays for his lower back.
September 30, 2025 at 6:37 PM
1/ DEVELOPING: A journalist was rushed to New York-Presbyterian Hospital following another incident with an ICE agent at 26 Federal Plaza, an immigration court in NYC. The last I heard, he was getting X-rays for his lower back.
Reposted by Kevin Lerner
"We're seeing a very disturbing consolidation of American mass media in the hands of big business... that is politically related to the administration."
— @jeffjarvis.bsky.social on NBC's "Sunday Today" www.today.com/video/how-tr...
— @jeffjarvis.bsky.social on NBC's "Sunday Today" www.today.com/video/how-tr...
Trump’s TikTok Deal Gives Control of Platform to Media Moguls
President Donald Trump says he’s approved a plan that will see American investors take majority ownership and control of TikTok in the United States. Trump has confirmed a few names of those who will ...
www.today.com
September 29, 2025 at 6:46 PM
"We're seeing a very disturbing consolidation of American mass media in the hands of big business... that is politically related to the administration."
— @jeffjarvis.bsky.social on NBC's "Sunday Today" www.today.com/video/how-tr...
— @jeffjarvis.bsky.social on NBC's "Sunday Today" www.today.com/video/how-tr...
Reposted by Kevin Lerner
My employer New York Public Radio just announced that it is offering @onthemedia.bsky.social, @radiolab.bsky.social, and other programs to at-risk public radio stations for free! More info: current.org/2025/09/wnyc...
September 24, 2025 at 6:18 PM
My employer New York Public Radio just announced that it is offering @onthemedia.bsky.social, @radiolab.bsky.social, and other programs to at-risk public radio stations for free! More info: current.org/2025/09/wnyc...
Reposted by Kevin Lerner
If you don't have anyone with any health and science background, @theopennotebook.bsky.social has a database of freelancers www.theopennotebook.com/writers/ and a legion of resources to get your gen assignment reporters up to speed. also see healthjournalism.org 🩺 🧪
September 23, 2025 at 8:25 PM
If you don't have anyone with any health and science background, @theopennotebook.bsky.social has a database of freelancers www.theopennotebook.com/writers/ and a legion of resources to get your gen assignment reporters up to speed. also see healthjournalism.org 🩺 🧪
Reposted by Kevin Lerner
When covering a protest, it’s safety first. Story second. Here are some tips to protect yourself + your reporting. 🧵⤵️
September 23, 2025 at 8:26 PM
When covering a protest, it’s safety first. Story second. Here are some tips to protect yourself + your reporting. 🧵⤵️
Listen, as someone who owns a house on a street named for the larch, I feel like I have some authority on this: you can’t ethically write a piece about the British larch without explaining how to recognize them from quite a long way away. It’s malpractice.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/21/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/21/o...
Opinion | The Last of the Larch
www.nytimes.com
September 21, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Listen, as someone who owns a house on a street named for the larch, I feel like I have some authority on this: you can’t ethically write a piece about the British larch without explaining how to recognize them from quite a long way away. It’s malpractice.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/21/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/21/o...
Reposted by Kevin Lerner
BREAKING: The Board of Immigration Appeals is trying to deport our client Mario Guevara, a journalist from El Salvador, despite his clear legal path to residency and an immigration judge's order to grant his release on bond.
September 19, 2025 at 5:25 PM
BREAKING: The Board of Immigration Appeals is trying to deport our client Mario Guevara, a journalist from El Salvador, despite his clear legal path to residency and an immigration judge's order to grant his release on bond.
Reposted by Kevin Lerner
Tenured academics, imho, are among those who really should not be cowed into silence, and I'm pretty damn disappointed at those who are.
I don’t have a lot of sympathy for very wealthy, privileged people who are capitulating to fascism and/or staying silent because they’re “scared.” People are being dragged out of their homes and people who could be next are *still* speaking up. Silence won’t protect you but it emboldens them
September 18, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Tenured academics, imho, are among those who really should not be cowed into silence, and I'm pretty damn disappointed at those who are.
Reposted by Kevin Lerner
1/4 RE Kimmel, what makes this possible is broadcast TV/radio specifically are subject to FCC regulation in ways other media aren't. With limited broadcast spectrum, idea is built on notion the public owns the airwaves. It gives the FCC authority to regulate in the vaguely defined "public interest."
September 18, 2025 at 1:16 PM
1/4 RE Kimmel, what makes this possible is broadcast TV/radio specifically are subject to FCC regulation in ways other media aren't. With limited broadcast spectrum, idea is built on notion the public owns the airwaves. It gives the FCC authority to regulate in the vaguely defined "public interest."
Reposted by Kevin Lerner
Years ago Howard Stern exposed the arbitrary & pretextual nature of FCC enforcement.
When the FCC fined him millions he urged listeners to send in complaints about Oprah to see if FCC treated all local complaints equally.
Guess what? They didn't.
What FCC's doing now is a dodge.
When the FCC fined him millions he urged listeners to send in complaints about Oprah to see if FCC treated all local complaints equally.
Guess what? They didn't.
What FCC's doing now is a dodge.
September 18, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Years ago Howard Stern exposed the arbitrary & pretextual nature of FCC enforcement.
When the FCC fined him millions he urged listeners to send in complaints about Oprah to see if FCC treated all local complaints equally.
Guess what? They didn't.
What FCC's doing now is a dodge.
When the FCC fined him millions he urged listeners to send in complaints about Oprah to see if FCC treated all local complaints equally.
Guess what? They didn't.
What FCC's doing now is a dodge.
I could buy the argument for the "scarcity principle" behind FCC regulation of broadcast outlets in the early days of truly limited bandwidth. Changing technology has all but destroyed that justification.
"Jimmy Kimmel is no Johnny Carson," says the chair of the FCC, who apparently thinks he is now TV-Critic-In-Chief. Unfortunately, it is not unprecedented: see what the FCC did to Howard Stern. Broadcast should never have been sliced out of the First Amendment.
September 18, 2025 at 2:00 PM
I could buy the argument for the "scarcity principle" behind FCC regulation of broadcast outlets in the early days of truly limited bandwidth. Changing technology has all but destroyed that justification.
Reposted by Kevin Lerner
There’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people to build on the rubble of what’s being destroyed before our eyes. Private corporations bending over to forcefeed everyone government-approved speech is evil and amoral, but more than anything this creates boring, inauthentic, unwatchable shit.
September 18, 2025 at 12:27 AM
There’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people to build on the rubble of what’s being destroyed before our eyes. Private corporations bending over to forcefeed everyone government-approved speech is evil and amoral, but more than anything this creates boring, inauthentic, unwatchable shit.
Reposted by Kevin Lerner
Becoming increasingly clear we’re gonna have to build a parallel infrastructure for all the media we really love. The reason all of this is happening under the color of law is hyperconsolidation, dissent being traded straight up for merger approval, or fear of harassment.
September 18, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Becoming increasingly clear we’re gonna have to build a parallel infrastructure for all the media we really love. The reason all of this is happening under the color of law is hyperconsolidation, dissent being traded straight up for merger approval, or fear of harassment.
Reposted by Kevin Lerner
I wrote this essay right after inauguration day and it’s even more true today. dansinker.com/posts/202…
September 18, 2025 at 2:12 AM
I wrote this essay right after inauguration day and it’s even more true today. dansinker.com/posts/202…