Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

UC Berkeley Journalism @berkeleyjournalism.bsky.social · 7d

In the wake of recent @theguardian.com stories by our IRP's Bernice Yeung, Aaron Glantz + Noy Thrupkaew and bipartisan pressure re: a retreat from combating human trafficking, the Trump Administration releases a delayed report — omitting all LGBTQ+ data. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Delayed US report on global human trafficking is released

Release comes after a Guardian investigation revealed US pullback on anti-trafficking efforts, which Trump officials denied

www.theguardian.com

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UC Berkeley Journalism @berkeleyjournalism.bsky.social · 8d

Our @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social Journalism Investigative Reporting Program alums Katey Rusch & Casey Smith have been named #TIME100NEXT for their award-winning investigative reporting on #policing. journalism.berkeley.edu/rusch-and-sm...

Alums Katey Rusch and Casey Smith named to TIME’s annual 'TIME100 Next' list of the 100 leaders shaping the future

UC Berkeley Journalism offers a two-year Master of Journalism (MJ) degree and a summer minor, preparing students for careers in journalism.

journalism.berkeley.edu

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UC Berkeley Journalism @berkeleyjournalism.bsky.social · 12d

Former Dean and Professor @ewass.bsky.social writes about the threats to journalism that go well beyond the Trump administration’s first term “fake news” and “enemy of the people” attacks on the press. www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/open...

Jimmy Kimmel’s treatment opens an entirely new chapter in American media repression

OPINION: The brazen efforts by the Trump administration to threaten companies that own the news media to dictate their coverage are unprecedented, Edward Wasserman writes.

www.sfchronicle.com

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Reposted by UC Berkeley Journalism

Twilight Greenaway @twyspy.bsky.social · 22d

Inland Empire communities face dangerous levels of shipping industry pollution — the same emissions warming the planet. After a rule that would have protected residents near rail yards fell apart under Trump's EPA, they're hoping the state takes the lead.

capitalandmain.com/effort-to-cu...

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Reposted by UC Berkeley Journalism

Schmidt DSE at UC Berkeley @schmidtdse.bsky.social · 28d

Welcome Ava Hu to DSE, the newest Journalism Fellow! Ava is a student at @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social Graduate School of Journalism. At DSE she'll develop data visualizations re: climate change impacts on local and global communities🌎

dse.berkeley.edu/welcome-ava-hu

@natureatcal.bsky.social

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UC Berkeley Journalism @berkeleyjournalism.bsky.social · Aug 27

🚨 Calling documentary filmmakers! 🚨
The Mycoskie–UC Berkeley Psychedelic Doc Fellowship is now accepting applications.

Awards ranging from $5k to $20k. Deadline: Oct 30

Apply here → fellowships.journalism.berkeley.edu/mycoskie/

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UC Berkeley Journalism @berkeleyjournalism.bsky.social · Aug 26

In the @sfchronicle.com today, Journalist Katey Rusch ('20) uses newly public trove of internal police files to report an untold story about a discredited Oakland cop — part of the infamous "Riders" — who became an FBI agent. www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...

An FBI agent killed a man after the Boston Marathon bombing. Oakland PD had helped hide his past

A trove of internal police files provides a more complete accounting of the early episode that could have jeopardized Aaron McFarlane’s career before a high-profile shooting.

www.sfchronicle.com

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UC Berkeley Journalism @berkeleyjournalism.bsky.social · Aug 10

"The database stands as a powerful emblem of transparency and the power of journalism at a time when both of these values face significant new threats," said @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social's @davidbarstow.bsky.social re: database on police misconduct in CA. journalism.berkeley.edu/berkeley-and...

UC Berkeley and Stanford join forces on groundbreaking database on police misconduct and use of force, combining human tenacity with AI to benefit the public

UC Berkeley Journalism offers a two-year Master of Journalism (MJ) degree and a summer minor, preparing students for careers in journalism.

journalism.berkeley.edu

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UC Berkeley Journalism @berkeleyjournalism.bsky.social · Aug 9

"After all, how much nonperformance is too much?" asks Prof. @ewass.bsky.social as he explores media coverage of aging politicians this week in the @sfchronicle.com. www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/open...

First Biden, now Trump — the media still hasn’t figured out how to cover advanced aging

OPINION: The old age of political leaders and whether senior public officials have outlived the capacity to do their jobs is a judgment that the news media is under increasing pressure to address.

www.sfchronicle.com

UC Berkeley Journalism @berkeleyjournalism.bsky.social · Aug 4

New database just published by @latimes.com, @sfchronicle.com, @kqednews.kqed.org + CalMatters and built by Berkeley Journalism's IRP, @berkeleyengineer.bsky.social BIDS + @biglocalnews.bsky.social makes public 1.5 million pages of once-secret police records. journalism.berkeley.edu/police-recor...

A new database on police use of force and misconduct in California makes public 1.5 million pages of once-secret police records

For Immediate Release August 4, 2025 Contact: [email protected] A new database on police use of force and misconduct in California makes public 1.5 million pages of once-secret police records ...

journalism.berkeley.edu

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UC Berkeley Journalism @berkeleyjournalism.bsky.social · Jul 23

LA Times journalist James Rainey on California's groundbreaking support for local journalism through our @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social Journalism and the @maynardinstitute.bsky.social: "Accurate news and information has become an increasingly fleeting resource." www.latimes.com/california/n...

California taxpayers will pay $15 million to hire journalists

Your morning catch-up: Taxpayer-funded journalism, remains of the 31st firestorm victim found in Altadena and more big stories.

www.latimes.com

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UC Berkeley Journalism @berkeleyjournalism.bsky.social · Jul 18

A new group of early-career journalists and newsrooms were selected for the 2025-2027 California Local News Fellowship! Thank you, California, for supporting local journalism — an essential public service. Congrats to our fellows and newsrooms! fellowships.journalism.berkeley.edu/cafellows/ne...

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Reposted by UC Berkeley Journalism

Michael Bolden @mbolden.bsky.social · Jul 10

I enjoyed connecting with D.C.-area alumni of @berkeleyjournalism.bsky.social Thanks to everyone who braved that intense weather, to @npr.org for providing a venue and to alum @tamarakeithnpr.bsky.social and Ron Nixon, two of our Journalism Advisory Committee members, for hosting.

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Reposted by UC Berkeley Journalism

The Maynard Institute for Journalism Education @maynardinstitute.bsky.social · Jul 2

GREAT NEWS! California expands commitment to local journalism with a $15 million allocation!

“This funding strengthens the people and organizations anchoring local journalism in communities across California." - @reynoldspost.bsky.social

journalism.berkeley.edu/15-million-t...

California expands historic commitment to local journalism fellowships

______________________________________________________________________________________________ California expands historic commitment to local journalism fellowships Media Release July 1, 2025 Califor...

journalism.berkeley.edu

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UC Berkeley Journalism @berkeleyjournalism.bsky.social · Jul 1

A new $15 million for local journalism in CA budget! “Even in tight financial times, independent journalism, which underpins a citizen-informed democracy, is deserving of priority support,” said former State Senator Steve Glazer, a champion of local journalism.

California expands historic commitment to local journalism fellowships

______________________________________________________________________________________________ California expands historic commitment to local journalism fellowships Media Release July 1, 2025 Califor...

journalism.berkeley.edu

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UC Berkeley Journalism @berkeleyjournalism.bsky.social · Jun 18

Congrats Lauren Capps (’12) producer on “The Sing Sing Chronicles,” a 4-part docuseries that won the 2025 Domestic Television Award from Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights!

Read our in-depth interview with Capps who talks about the series, her incredible body of work + camaraderie among our doc alums.

Alumni Portrait: Lauren Capps ('12) part of RFK Award-winning team of "The Sing Sing Chronicles"

Lauren Capps (’12), was a producer on “The Sing Sing Chronicles,” a four-part docuseries by NBC News Studios and Trilogy Films that won the 2025 Domestic Television Award from Robert F. Kennedy Human ...

journalism.berkeley.edu

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UC Berkeley Journalism @berkeleyjournalism.bsky.social · Jun 10

Welcome to @mbolden.bsky.social, the next dean of @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social Journalism — a "distinguished journalist" selected to lead at a time of "unprecedented challenges for journalism" said Chancellor @chancellorlyons.bsky.social. journalism.berkeley.edu/2025-berkele...

Michael Bolden selected to be next dean of UC Berkeley Journalism following national search

Journalist Michael Bolden will be UC Berkeley Journalism’s eighth permanent dean, promising a dedication to collaboration, innovation and courage in the face of threats to the field, campus announced ...

journalism.berkeley.edu

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UC Berkeley Journalism @berkeleyjournalism.bsky.social · Jun 6

Two major investigations from KQED reported by alums and one with help from 6 students in our Investigative Reporting Program have been awarded top honors in the Region 2 Edward R. Murrow Awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association!

journalism.berkeley.edu/2025-murrow-...

Collage of 9 headshots of the winning journalists.

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UC Berkeley Journalism @berkeleyjournalism.bsky.social · Jun 3

UC Berkeley Journalism’s Investigative Reporting Program and 7 alums are winners in the 91st National Headliner Awards!

Bravo Garance Burke (’04), Bill Whitaker (’78/’16), Casey Smith (’20), Katey Rusch (’20), Serginho Roosblad (’18), Marian Carrasquero (’19) and Mary Spicuzza (’04).

Investigative Reporting Program and alums win National Headliner Awards

UC Berkeley Journalism’s Investigative Reporting Program and seven alums are winners in the 91st National Headliner Awards, which honor the best journalism in the United States in 2024 across platform...

journalism.berkeley.edu

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UC Berkeley Journalism @berkeleyjournalism.bsky.social · May 30

"Local journalism is not a luxury. It’s civic infrastructure. And like roads, schools and clean water, it requires intentional public investment." — Opinion in the Sac Bee from former CA Senator Steve Glazer and the @maynardinstitute.bsky.social's Martin Reynolds. www.sacbee.com/opinion/op-e...

Could $15 million save local journalism in California? We think so | Opinion

“To truly rebuild California’s local news infrastructure, we must invest in the full ecosystem — from newsroom leadership to training and innovation.”

www.sacbee.com

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UC Berkeley Journalism @berkeleyjournalism.bsky.social · May 25

Students from @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social write about being #DACA #Dreamers at this moment in history. Thank you to @eltimpano.bsky.social for publishing this beautiful series. www.eltimpano.org/english/immi...

“Ni de aquí, ni de allá”: Dreamers reflect on the toll of living in DACA limbo

Undocumented students share how political and legal battles have shaped their identities and their hopes for the future.

www.eltimpano.org

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UC Berkeley Journalism @berkeleyjournalism.bsky.social · May 23

The CA legislature considers funding local news fellowships. "Most of the decisions that you make as senators come from learning about problems in your community, problems of unfairness, injustice, problems of corruption," said former Senator Steve Glazer, urging $15 million in support.

Local News Fellowship Funding Considered By State Committee

By Ruth Dusseault

www.sfgate.com

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UC Berkeley Journalism @berkeleyjournalism.bsky.social · May 6

Congrats to alums @susien.bsky.social, Casey Smith, Katey Rusch + @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social Investigative Reporting Program — led by @davidbarstow.bsky.social — for being @pulitzerprizes.bsky.social finalists for @sfchronicle.com stories. www.sfchronicle.com/about/newsro...

Chronicle named Pulitzer Prize finalist for a pair of investigations

The Chronicle was honored for uncovering the secret deals that hide police misconduct and documenting the deadly toll of police chases.

www.sfchronicle.com

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UC Berkeley Journalism @berkeleyjournalism.bsky.social · May 5

Our @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social Journalism alums + Investigative Reporting Program led by @davidbarstow.bsky.social named Pulitzer Prize finalists for "Right to Remain Secret" + Prof @jlaf.bsky.social and alum finalists for "40 Acres and a Lie." journalism.berkeley.edu/2025-pulitze...

Faculty and alums honored in 2025 Pulitzer Prizes

UC Berkeley Journalism’s Investigative Reporting Program, multiple alums and a faculty member were honored in the 2025 Pulitzer Prizes announced by Columbia University today. Alums Katey Rusch (’20) a...

journalism.berkeley.edu

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UC Berkeley Journalism @berkeleyjournalism.bsky.social · May 3

The New Yorker's Madeleine Baran and @airwars.bsky.social's @emilytripp.bsky.social at #LoganSymposium2025 discuss the 2006 massacre at Haditha and the four-year investigation for the "In the Dark" podcast. Baron: "This was something done in the name of the U.S. government."

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