Jim Boren
- Executive Director, Fresno State Institute for Media and Public Trust
Fresno
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Covers:
Media literacy, election disinformation, fake news, the trust gap between media outlets and news consumers.
Executive Director of Fresno State Institute for Media and Public Trust, former Executive Editor of The Fresno Bee, longtime political journalist.
Articles by Jim Boren
McClatchy Newspapers Hedge Fund Owners Have Forfeited Right to the McClatchy Name
When I heard the news Thursday that the hedge fund that owns McClatchy’s 30 newspapers had decimated what was once one of the nation’s great newspaper groups, I immediately thought about two members of the McClatchy family I had the privilege of knowing: C.K. McClatchy and James B. McClatchy. They and their family believed deeply in honest, thoughtful, locally focused journalism.
The price we pay for taking journalism for granted Original
California just held a primary election. As I watched returns come in, I found myself thinking less about who won and lost than about a deeper question: What makes an informed vote possible? Not campaigns, advertising or political messaging, but the civic infrastructure that helps citizens understand issues, evaluate competing claims and assess their choices. Before people can decide whom to support, they need the tools, institutions and habits that make meaningful judgment possible.
Paywalls Are Contributing to the Slow Death of Daily Journalism
I’m using this column to rant about something that drives me bonkers as a journalist who subscribes to roughly 10 news sites: Those pesky paywalls. To be clear, I absolutely believe readers should pay for the content they consume. Quality journalism costs money. Reporters need to be out covering stories, editors need to shape and verify them, and publishers need revenue to keep the whole operation running. I have no issue paying for journalism.
The ethics of using AI in newsrooms: A work in progress Original
We are still at the beginning of the artificial intelligence revolution, and the public is looking for clear guidance on how newsrooms are using AI to report the news. But the reality is that most news organizations are still developing their policies, and few have fully resolved these complex questions. That may not provide the certainty many news consumers are looking for, but it generally reflects the current state of the industry.
What the Cesar Chavez Revelations Reveal About Journalism’s Blind Spots
The New York Times’ bombshell report on Cesar Chavez has taken many by surprise, forcing difficult questions about how aspects of his behavior may have gone unexamined for decades. For those of us connected to Fresno State, the revelations feel especially close to home. Chavez, along with co-founder Dolores Huerta, spent considerable time on the Fresno State campus in the 1970s — organizing, speaking, and building support for the farmworker movement.
Beyond grants: Can local news sites find a lasting business model? | Opinion Original
For more than a century, newspapers were sustained by a simple business model: Readers paid for the product through subscriptions and advertisers paid to reach those readers. The incentives aligned, and newspapers — even in the smallest communities — could survive. If a paper provided reliable information, covered local issues, and earned the trust of its readers, both circulation and advertising followed. Journalism was not just a public service; it was a viable business.
A baseball catcher's youth league story might just be the ticket to rescuing local journalism
Editor's note: Jim Boren is the Executive Director of the Fresno State Institute for Media and Public Trust, and former Executive Editor of The Fresno Bee. From baseball fields to newsstands: The story of the local paper once covering youth league baseball games illuminates the challenges and hopes of reviving community news.
Hometown newspapers few and far between
During a recent panel discussion at the California Journalism Symposium in Monterey, the speakers were asked to explain their origin stories, essentially, how each panelist first got into the news business. It got me thinking about how I first connected to the news so many years ago. I was just a school kid when my hometown newspaper, The Fresno Bee, ran our baseball score in tiny 6-point type, listing the “batteries”—the pitcher and catcher.
From baseball fields to newsstands: The challenges and hopes of reviving community news
During a panel discussion at the California Journalism Symposium in Monterey last week, the speakers were asked to explain their origin stories, essentially, how each panelist first got into the news business. It got me thinking about how I first connected to the news so many years ago. For me, it was the first time I saw my name in print. My hometown newspaper, The Fresno Bee, ran our baseball line score in tiny 6-point type, listing the “batteries”—the pitcher and catcher.
Breaking the misinformation cycle: Why media literacy Is America’s most urgent lesson
The need for a focused and sustained effort to teach media and news literacy to Americans has never been greater. In an era where information spreads instantly—mostly unchecked—misinformation poses one of the most serious threats to a well-informed society. False or misleading stories and other questionable internet content can shape public opinion, influence elections, and deepen divisions within communities.
In a time of fractured media, PBS and NPR provide a vital voice in the national conversation
President Trump’s attacks on PBS and NPR are not just shortsighted, but they’re a direct blow to millions of Americans who rely on public broadcasting as their primary, and sometimes only, source of reliable news and information. Ironically, the people who will be hurt the most by these proposed cuts are many of his own supporters in rural and underserved communities. As local newspapers have closed down at an alarming rate “news deserts” have been created.
Jim Boren, Guest Commentary: Examing the role newsroom editor’s play
On a recent Saturday afternoon in Carmel, 115 residents packed into a meeting room to hear journalists, including David Kellogg of The Herald, discuss the state of the news industry. The audience skewed older, and their media habits reflected a more traditional era. They read newspapers, watch the 6 o’clock news and tune into NPR. Given their background, it was no surprise that their questions reflected deep concerns about the changing media landscape.
The public is invited to an election misinformation discussion at Fresno State on Oct. 2
Join us at 6 p.m. on Oct. 2 for a discussion on election misinformation featuring political science and journalism professors from Fresno State. The program will be held in the Peters Educational Center in the Student Recreation Center on campus at Shaw and Woodrow Avenues. It is free and open to the public. The panel will feature political science professors Lisa A. Bryant and Thomas Holyoke, and journalism professor Jesse Scaccia.
Gruner Awards shine light on the quality journalism being produced in the San Joaquin Valley
In the cozy television studios on the Fresno State campus, we just handed out the 36th annual George F. Gruner Awards for Public Service Journalism. Some of the top journalists working in newsrooms from Bakersfield to Modesto gathered to honor the year’s best news reporting. Their were several things that delighted me about this year’s event. The first was the appearance of George F. Gruner, the former Fresno Bee editor for whom the awards are named.
Institute for Media and Public Trust secures major grant to propel Journalists of Color training program
In a significant commitment toward fostering diversity and inclusion in San Joaquin Valley journalism, the Institute for Media and Public Trust at Fresno State has been awarded a $201,000 grant to continue its visionary Journalists of Color training program. The California Endowment grant will help fortify the ongoing success of its pioneering journalism training program.
Traditional journalism faces financial challenges — philanthropy can help | Opinion
The atmosphere was charged with optimism as about 200 news leaders and foundation executives convened a journalism conference at Stanford University. Their shared objective: Devise a comprehensive strategy to revitalize the precarious business model of news, especially traditional newspapers.
Traditional journalism faces financial challenges. Philanthropy can help | Opinion
The atmosphere was charged with optimism as about 200 news leaders and foundation executives convened a journalism conference at Stanford University. Their shared objective: Devise a comprehensive strategy to revitalize the precarious business model of news, especially traditional newspapers.
Collaborative Crusade: Journalists, funders unite at Stanford to rescue local journalism from decline
By Jim Boren The atmosphere was charged with optimism as about 200 news leaders and foundation executives convened a journalism conference at Stanford University. Their shared objective: Devise a comprehensive strategy to revitalize the precarious business model of news, especially traditional newspapers.
When will the final printed newspaper roll off the press? It’s coming soon, judging by today’s classrooms where students who read news say they only access content online.
Because I have a long history in the newspaper business, I’m often asked by people how long do I think traditional newspapers will be printing an actual paper. I’ve always been optimistic about some version of the print product being available in the news industry. But as I view the reading habits of my college students, I’m not so sure.
Training program aimed at creating a pipeline of diverse journalists announces a new cohort of students
The second cohort of the Fresno-area Journalists of Color training program has been selected, and now there are 14 students in the program designed to create a pathway that will offer greater diversity to the reporting staffs of San Joaquin Valley newsrooms. The students are paid $300 a month during the academic year and can stay in the program for up to five years from their senior year in high school through four years of college. This is the second year of the highly acclaimed program.
OPINION: Philanthropy is helping eliminate news deserts
Boren is executive director of the Institute for Media and Public Trust at California State University, Fresno. When I watch TV coverage of a news conference at the White House, I’m reminded of how reporting resources are disproportionately allocated in today’s news environment. The journalists at the White House are essentially all giving us the same story, while city council and school board meetings across America are not being covered because of cutbacks in local newsrooms.
Without reporters covering city hall, school board, planning commission meetings, democracy at local level threatened by an uninformed citizenry
When I watch TV coverage of a news conference at the White House, I’m reminded of how reporting resources are disproportionately allocated in today’s news environment. The dozens of journalists at the White House are essentially giving us the same story, while many city council and school board meetings across America are not being covered at all because of cutbacks in local newsrooms. How much better for our democracy would it be if we could say we had “too many” reporters covering local news?
America’s newsrooms should be reporting their diversity numbers, and this proposal might finally encourage them to be more transparent
The News Leaders Association has been surveying newsrooms for more than 40 years to determine how many journalists of color are gathering and reporting news across the country. But in recent years, most newsrooms stopped reporting their diversity numbers. These are the same newsrooms, by the way, that preach diversity and transparency for other professions.
We’re celebrating our 3rd birthday with an increased focus on improving media literacy and exposing disinformation
Photo by Thirdman on <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/computer-on-a-wooden-desk-with-the-designer-s-business-website-on-the-screen-7181188/" rel="nofollow">Pexels.com</a> Date: July 1, 2021Author: Jim Boren When we established the Institute for Media and Public Trust at Fresno State three years ago, I was asked if our work to identify fake news and promote media literacy represented short-term problems that would sort themselves out in a few years on their own.
Media literacy is crucial for anyone who uses a digital device. It should be an educational priority in K-12 schools.
In our 21st century society, we use computers to access almost everything we do. Consider how many times that you’ve logged onto the internet today to shop, check bank account balances, use social networks and work remotely from home. But the problem for many is that they have little understanding of how their personal information can be hacked into by people attempting to rip them off, or mislead them for nefarious purposes. It is a huge problem among young people.
We’ve compiled 8 tips for identifying false content that you may encounter on the Internet. Use them to be a smart media consumer.
Editorial cartoon by SW Parra. swparra.wixsite.com/mysite Date: March 25, 2021Author: Jim Boren Look past your personal political biases. This is crucial in sorting out news content. We often believe the worst about people or politicians we despise. Those biases can blind us to what we are sharing on social media, even if there are red flags that suggest the stories may not be factual. Do you recognize the source of the news item? Be wary if it comes from a source that you’ve never heard of.
A major failure of U.S. media organizations has been their inability (or unwillingness) to diversify their reporting staffs
Date: March 18, 2021Author: Jim Boren It has been more than 40 years since the American Society of News Editors adopted a goal of having newsrooms match the racial and ethnic make-up of the general population. Clearly, media outlets have had more than enough time to determine a strategy to hire journalists that reflect the diversity of their communities. But the much-discussed campaign to add journalists of color to newsrooms did not materialize in any meaningful way.
Concerned about phony content on the internet? Empower yourself by embracing media literacy and becoming a wise digital consumer.
Photo by Kaboompics .com Date: February 16, 2021Author: Jim Boren If anyone thinks misinformation and disinformation challenges will diminish now that the divisive 2020 presidential election has been settled, they aren’t watching the next phase of information manipulation. It’s only going to get worse, especially as many news consumers seek out information silos that confirm their political biases. Gone are the days when we had political conversations based on a common set of facts.
This is unacceptable. Madera County officials inadvertently reveal what their real attitude is about making public records available to journalists.
Date: January 22, 2021Author: Jim Boren The First Amendment Coalition and the Institute for Media and Public Trust at Fresno State have written a letter to Madera County Supervisor Tom Wheeler criticizing his ugly response to a journalist for The Fresno Bee, who made a public records request to the county. Journalists act as the public’s representative in making public records requests, and Wheeler’s email response suggests that he doesn’t believe in full government transparency.
COMMENTARY: Criticize the press, but can the violent threats
By Jim Boren Special to the Review-Journal January 12, 2021 - 9:00 pm As a veteran journalist who started my career when Richard Nixon was president, I can tell you that there has always been an uneasy relationship between the news media and the people they cover. Over the years, many tried to get me fired when they didn’t like stories that I wrote. I once was physically ejected from a Fresno Teachers Association meeting that would decide whether teachers would go on strike.
My media colleagues face unprecedented threats in the Trump era. It’s time it stops
As a veteran journalist who started my career when Richard Nixon was president, I can tell you that there has always been an uneasy relationship between the news media and the people they cover. Over the years, many tried to get me fired when they didn’t like stories that I wrote. I once was physically ejected from a Fresno Teachers Association meeting that would decide whether teachers would go on strike in Fresno.
Join us to improve media literacy and fight ‘disinformation’ by making an end-of-the-year donation to the Institute for Media and Public Trust at Fresno State
Photo by Kaboompics .com on <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-using-stylus-pen-for-touching-the-digital-tablet-screen-6335/" rel="nofollow">Pexels.com</a> Date: December 28, 2020Author: Jim Boren You can help improve media literacy and support our other work at the Fresno State Institute for Media and Public Trust by making an end-of-the-year donation to the Institute.
Fake News 101: Here’s the difference between ‘misinformation’ and ‘disinformation.’ We also discuss how ‘bots’ drive false news on social media.
Editorial Cartoon by SW Parra. swparra.wixsite.com/mysite Date: November 23, 2020Author: Jim Boren We spend much of our time at the Institute for Media and Public Trust studying misinformation and disinformation that is shared on social media, and part of our mission is to empower news consumers with the tools to spot false content. We learned in 2020 that this quest remains a major challenge in our society. Technology has allowed tricksters and those who are duped by them to easily spread lies.
Fresno training program created to increase the number of journalists of color in San Joaquin Valley newsrooms
We believe that America’s newsrooms should reflect the diversity of the communities that they cover. Unfortunately, that’s mostly not the case, and we at the Institute for Media and Public Trust are working with partner organizations to launch a program that will mentor young journalists of color. The goal is to increase the diversity in San Joaquin Valley newsrooms.
Pandemic and election offer those pushing misinformation opportunity to confuse public with fake news posted to phony social media accounts
Editorial cartoon by SW Parra. swparra.wixsite.com/mysite Date: September 2, 2020Author: Jim Boren News consumers have a huge challenge today sorting through fake news and misinformation on the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Nov. 3 presidential election. Even in normal times, fake news has been ever growing through social media, fake news sites and other technological devices created to mislead the public about basic facts.
Targeting journalists won’t stop them from reporting full story about protests over George Floyd’s death
Date: June 1, 2020Author: Jim Boren Every May 3, World Press Freedom Day is celebrated internationally. It’s a day set aside to recognize the importance of an independent press around the world, and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives doing their jobs. The day is mostly aimed at authoritarian regimes, which regularly jail journalists and shut down media outlets that dare question government leaders. In many cases, journalists are tortured, and some are even killed.
Don’t be misled by those who are pushing dangerous misinformation about coronavirus pandemic
Date: April 8, 2020Author: Jim Boren It is not surprising that with the COVID-19 pandemic, there are those who are attempting to use this crisis to spread misinformation, “phish” for personal information to rip people off and push conspiracy theories about all sorts of dark motives for the virus taking hold across the globe. One of the reasons we created the Institute for Media and Public Trust at Fresno State was to develop strategies to combat fake news and misinformation.
In times of crisis, we need journalists giving us facts and guiding us to resources that will help us cope
Seattle Times newsroom in photo published by the New York Times. Via Grant Hindsley for The New York Times. Date: March 17, 2020Author: Jim Boren I have appreciated the many news outlets that have been giving me important and useful information about the coronavirus in my community, as well as those that have been informing me about what’s going on nationally and internationally.
Use these tips and you won’t be caught sharing ‘fake news’ on social media
Editorial cartoon by SW Parra. swparra.wixsite.com/mysite Date: March 3, 2020Author: Jim Boren Concerned about fake news? Here are eight smart ways to determine if the news content you are seeing on your digital device is legitimate. Look past your personal biases. This is crucial in sorting out news content. We often believe the worst about people or politicians we despise.
In this digital age, too many lack even the most basic media literacy tools
Photo by fauxels. Date: March 1, 2020Author: Jim Boren We’ve been spending a lot of time discussing media literacy and fake news in our advanced reporting classes at Fresno State, and my students have been working to increase their skills in identifying phony news content and evaluating the veracity of other sites they encounter online.
Support media literacy by making end-of-the-year donation to the Institute for Media and Public Trust
Editorial Cartoon by SW Parra. swparra.wixsite.com/mysite Date: December 23, 2019Author: Jim Boren The end of 2019 is coming fast, and we at the Fresno State Institute for Media and Public Trust would love it if you would consider an end-of-the-year donation so that we can continue our work to increase media literacy and fight fake news. Your donation is tax deductible. To contribute online, go to this link: Fresno State giving. It is Fresno State’s secure, online donation form.
Agriculture is huge story in California, but newsrooms around the state aren’t paying attention to the details
Farmer Joe Del Bosque, holding microphone, speaks during a California Press Foundation discussion on the lack of in-depth news coverage of California agriculture. Date: December 9, 2019Author: Jim Boren UPDATED One of the big challenges for the news business is how to cover California agriculture during a time when there are fewer journalists in newsrooms around the state. Agriculture remains a top industry in California, but coverage mostly revolves around water, environment and immigration.
As newspapers shrink, other media outlets must spend more time doing watchdog reporting in their communities
Mothballed newspaper printing press. Date: November 27, 2019Author: Jim Boren UPDATED It’s a bad thing for our democracy when local newspapers must continually cut reporters to stay afloat financially. Those reporters too often were crucial government watchdogs, informing the community about the workings of city hall, school districts and other government agencies.
Fresno State Media Institute will celebrate Constitution Day on Sept. 17 with program on the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment
Date: August 28, 2019Author: Jim Boren The Institute for Media and Public Trust will sponsor a program on Sept. 17 that is designed to educate Fresno State students on the freedoms that the First Amendment guarantees. There will be several activities to encourage students to learn about these important freedoms during the program that will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the grassy area in front of the Kennel Bookstore.
One media company now owns 260 daily newspapers, and more than 300 weeklies. How many will survive the Gannett/Gatehouse merger?
Date: August 5, 2019Author: Jim Boren The long-rumored coupling of Gannett and Gatehouse Media was announced on Monday, and should be finalized by the end of the year. With the newspaper business model broken, combining the two companies’ resources is seen as a way to protect journalism through administrative efficiencies and aggressively pursuing a digital transformation.
The lessons of picking cantaloupes under the hot San Joaquin Valley sun
It’s cantaloupe season in the San Joaquin Valley, a time that takes me back to a summer during high school when I picked melons in Huron for farming pioneer Russell Giffen. I didn’t know Giffen. I was merely one of thousands of high school and college students who picked crops in the San Joaquin Valley after a guest worker program had ended.
Bracero program ended, farmers found workers where they could
By Guest Commentary published: July 28, 2019 Lessons learned by picking cantaloupes in the San Joaquin Valley It’s cantaloupe season in the San Joaquin Valley, a time that takes me back to a summer during high school when I picked melons in Huron for farming pioneer Russell Giffen. I didn’t know Giffen. I was merely one of thousands of high school and college students who picked crops in the San Joaquin Valley after a guest worker program had ended.
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