From a blog reader who works in journalism in Birmingham: "It's my opinion that the trust is still there (in local media) because we can't hide from our audience like national and statewide media outlets."

Tom Arenberg@tomarenberg.bsky.social · last mo.

An AI-hallucinated story fooled a lot of people. It got me thinking about public confidence in news media. The picture is mostly, but not completely, terrible. Latest blog post (3 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/7/7/another-phony-story-but-surprise-some-people-still-trust-the-media #Journalism

From a blog reader: "Good piece. Wish I had suggestions about how to restore trust in institutions, create a common set of meanings for words such as 'democracy' and 'justice' and 'liberty.'"

Tom Arenberg@tomarenberg.bsky.social · last mo.

An AI-hallucinated story fooled a lot of people. It got me thinking about public confidence in news media. The picture is mostly, but not completely, terrible. Latest blog post (3 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/7/7/another-phony-story-but-surprise-some-people-still-trust-the-media #Journalism

An AI-hallucinated story fooled a lot of people. It got me thinking about public confidence in news media. The picture is mostly, but not completely, terrible. Latest blog post (3 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/7/7/another-phony-story-but-surprise-some-people-still-trust-the-media #Journalism

Another phony story. But (surprise!) some people still trust the media. — Tom Arenberg

The seemingly legitimate news article, which several people sent to me and was shared on social media by many more, carried a stunning headline: “The Ghost Paper That Ate Alabama: How a Media Startup ...

tomarenberg.net

World Cup TV viewership remains sky high. 84 million Americans watched some of the group stage, Fox Sports says. 9,700 watched some of EVERY game. The numbers should climb as the U.S. plays in a knockout game in prime time tonight. Re-sharing last week’s blog post on the subject.

Tom Arenberg@tomarenberg.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Does the World Cup make you snooze? OK, but a lot of people think you’re nuts. The latest blog post (2.5 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/6/22/you-might-find-soccer-boring-but-american-sports-media-are-all-in #Journalism #SportsMedia

From a blog reader: "I remember Rick Burgess and Bill 'Bubba' Bussey jokingly say on their former radio show that 'soccer is the sport of the future, and has been since 1978.' Yes, soccer in America has grown in fits and starts over the years, but it has finally arrived."

Tom Arenberg@tomarenberg.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Does the World Cup make you snooze? OK, but a lot of people think you’re nuts. The latest blog post (2.5 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/6/22/you-might-find-soccer-boring-but-american-sports-media-are-all-in #Journalism #SportsMedia

Does the World Cup make you snooze? OK, but a lot of people think you’re nuts. The latest blog post (2.5 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/6/22/you-might-find-soccer-boring-but-american-sports-media-are-all-in #Journalism #SportsMedia

You might find soccer boring but American sports media are all in — Tom Arenberg

The first clue to my cluelessness about the current popularity of professional international soccer among Americans was the grandkid wearing a Lionel Messi shirt. He’s 9. That popularity is abundantl...

tomarenberg.net

"Shamelessness and hypocrisy." Terrific piece by Alabama Reflector's Brian Lyman on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Brian Lyman@brianlyman.bsky.social · 2mo ago

My column this week. The U.S. Supreme Court ran over law, evidence and the U.S. Constitution to arrive at a partisan decision robbing Black Alabamians of representation while irresponsibly exposing our state to election chaos when it serves the ruling majority.

From a blog reader: "Great stuff by Tom on AI’s growing role in sports writing."

Tom Arenberg@tomarenberg.bsky.social · 2mo ago

The best sports stories are in essence human interest stories. Automated writing has its lane, but those stories aren’t in it. My latest (and always free) blog post (2.5 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/5/29/lets-hope-ai-stays-a-facilitator-not-an-annihilator-of-sports-journalism #Journalism

From a blog reader: "Good read on an important topic."

Tom Arenberg@tomarenberg.bsky.social · 2mo ago

The best sports stories are in essence human interest stories. Automated writing has its lane, but those stories aren’t in it. My latest (and always free) blog post (2.5 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/5/29/lets-hope-ai-stays-a-facilitator-not-an-annihilator-of-sports-journalism #Journalism

The best sports stories are in essence human interest stories. Automated writing has its lane, but those stories aren’t in it. My latest (and always free) blog post (2.5 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/5/29/lets-hope-ai-stays-a-facilitator-not-an-annihilator-of-sports-journalism #Journalism

Let’s hope AI stays a facilitator, not an annihilator, of sports journalism — Tom Arenberg

You’ve read here previously about the growing use of artificial intelligence to produce print/online news stories, but we need to also talk about its use in producing sports stories because, who...

tomarenberg.net

From a blog reader: "AI isn't being brought into the newsroom to improve the quality/efficiency of reporting. This is about saving money on salaries."

Tom Arenberg@tomarenberg.bsky.social · 3mo ago

For college journalism grads stepping into the real world right now, not knowing how to use AI is unfortunate. But it won't kill their job chances. Latest blog post (3 min and free): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/5/12/journalism-education-must-teach-more-than-shiny-new-things #Journalism

From another journalism instructor: 'We have to know how to do something before we get AI to do it or we don't know if AI is doing it right or not. I think our job as instructors is primarily to teach journalism skills. Technology changes. Journalism skills are the bedrock.'

Tom Arenberg@tomarenberg.bsky.social · 3mo ago

For college journalism grads stepping into the real world right now, not knowing how to use AI is unfortunate. But it won't kill their job chances. Latest blog post (3 min and free): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/5/12/journalism-education-must-teach-more-than-shiny-new-things #Journalism

For college journalism grads stepping into the real world right now, not knowing how to use AI is unfortunate. But it won't kill their job chances. Latest blog post (3 min and free): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/5/12/journalism-education-must-teach-more-than-shiny-new-things #Journalism

Journalism education must teach more than shiny new things — Tom Arenberg

“College journalism programs are failing to prepare students for the workforce.” “Journalism programs are decades behind.” “If you’re a student considering journalism, I’d skip that degree.” W...

tomarenberg.net

From a blog reader: "Good insight as always."

Tom Arenberg@tomarenberg.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Information sources can be anyone these days. But for the heavy lifting, professional journalists are still the best bet. A new Arenblog post (3 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/4/27/swalwell-case-reminds-us-that-traditional-media-still-matter #Journalism #Media

From a blog reader: "The troubling part to me is that Swalwell’s behavior was a 'years-long open secret' and traditional journalists apparently failed to thoroughly investigate and report that information for far too long."

Tom Arenberg@tomarenberg.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Information sources can be anyone these days. But for the heavy lifting, professional journalists are still the best bet. A new Arenblog post (3 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/4/27/swalwell-case-reminds-us-that-traditional-media-still-matter #Journalism #Media

Information sources can be anyone these days. But for the heavy lifting, professional journalists are still the best bet. A new Arenblog post (3 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/4/27/swalwell-case-reminds-us-that-traditional-media-still-matter #Journalism #Media

Swalwell case reminds us that traditional media still matter — Tom Arenberg

Many press haters who like to point to errors and bias have added an even more cutting criticism in recent years: irrelevancy. It’s a fair question, as readership, viewership and staff size at newspa...

tomarenberg.net

A blog reader pointed out that 66 years ago today (1960), The New York Times published its front-page “Fear and Hatred Grip Birmingham” story. The Birmingham News responded: "N.Y. Times Slanders Our City -- Can This Be Birmingham?" Re-sharing a related blog post from Wednesday:

Tom Arenberg@tomarenberg.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Media deserve the criticism sometimes but the longtime right-wing portrayal of it as a villain has had big political consequences. New blog post, with some embarrassing history of Birmingham newspapers (3 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/4/6/one-thing-conservatives-agree-on-the-liberal-bias-media

Media deserve the criticism sometimes but the longtime right-wing portrayal of it as a villain has had big political consequences. New blog post, with some embarrassing history of Birmingham newspapers (3 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/4/6/one-thing-conservatives-agree-on-the-liberal-bias-media

One thing conservatives agree on: The ‘liberal bias’ media — Tom Arenberg

Politically right-wing media figures and organizations don’t always see everything the same way, as we’re witnessing now in their public bickering about the wisdom of the Iran war. But a constant, uni...

tomarenberg.net

From a blog reader: "When I wrote about food, my goal was to keep it as anonymous as possible when I was going out to do a review. I feel like publications are leaning into influencer content more than caring about the journalism."

Tom Arenberg@tomarenberg.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Wigging out: A trend in food journalism is a bad one. My latest blog post (2 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/3/1/some-restaurant-critics-ditch-their-disguises-smile-for-the-camera-1

From a blog reader: "A friend wrote restaurant reviews and food stories for our publication and everyone in the hospitality industry knew him. I don’t think I ever paid for a meal when I was invited to join him."

Tom Arenberg@tomarenberg.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Wigging out: A trend in food journalism is a bad one. My latest blog post (2 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/3/1/some-restaurant-critics-ditch-their-disguises-smile-for-the-camera-1

Wigging out: A trend in food journalism is a bad one. My latest blog post (2 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/3/1/some-restaurant-critics-ditch-their-disguises-smile-for-the-camera-1

Some restaurant critics ditch their disguises, smile for the camera — Tom Arenberg

tomarenberg.net

An endorsement by the Secretary of Defense is probably the last thing David Ellison's PR flack, and CNN's journalists, wanted this morning. Blog post from last week:

Tom Arenberg@tomarenberg.bsky.social · 5mo ago

CNN built its reputation on war coverage. But it’s fair to wonder about its journalistic future. The latest blog post (1.5 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/3/3/cnns-demise-is-already-under-way #Journalism #NewsMedia

Good story on censorship of campus news outlets, by the new Student Press Report devoted to college journalism. Story includes the University of Alabama plus smart comments by @grammarpurist.bsky.social. www.collegejournalism.org/student-pres...

Cash-starved and censored, America’s student press is in crisis — CollegeJournalism.org

The future of journalism is being decided in college newsrooms as students and educators try to fight back

collegejournalism.org

From a blog reader: "Scary."

Tom Arenberg@tomarenberg.bsky.social · 5mo ago

CNN built its reputation on war coverage. But it’s fair to wonder about its journalistic future. The latest blog post (1.5 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/3/3/cnns-demise-is-already-under-way #Journalism #NewsMedia

CNN built its reputation on war coverage. But it’s fair to wonder about its journalistic future. The latest blog post (1.5 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/3/3/cnns-demise-is-already-under-way #Journalism #NewsMedia

CNN’s demise is already under way — Tom Arenberg

By force of habit that started with the first Gulf War in 1991, many longtime TV viewers turn to CNN whenever the U.S. engages in war. It is happening again now with coverage of war in Iran. CNN has ...

tomarenberg.net

DOJ’s case against Don Lemon is so bad that the former No. 2 lawyer at the US Attorney’s Office in Minnesota is now representing him against the lawyer’s former office.

Tom Arenberg@tomarenberg.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Trump sees no red lines as he tries to subdue the news media. Don Lemon's arrest shows that. But even that may not be his most ominous move of the past three weeks. Latest blog post (1.5 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/2/1/trumps-newest-anti-press-tactic-make-journalism-a-crime #Journalism

UPDATE: The Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild now estimates that The Washington Post laid off almost HALF of its journalists, not one-third.

Tom Arenberg@tomarenberg.bsky.social · 6mo ago

There's no easy way for journalists to defend against a destructive owner, like The Washington Post's. But a better ownership option exists. The latest blog post (2.5 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/2/7/an-alternative-to-media-owners-like-jeff-bezos #Journalism #Bezos

From a blog reader: "You mention that 2 things have changed & you're correct. But I think there's a third thing worth noting. The (Washington Post) editorial staff was overcome with Trump Derangement Syndrome."

Tom Arenberg@tomarenberg.bsky.social · 6mo ago

There's no easy way for journalists to defend against a destructive owner, like The Washington Post's. But a better ownership option exists. The latest blog post (2.5 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/2/7/an-alternative-to-media-owners-like-jeff-bezos #Journalism #Bezos

There's no easy way for journalists to defend against a destructive owner, like The Washington Post's. But a better ownership option exists. The latest blog post (2.5 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/2/7/an-alternative-to-media-owners-like-jeff-bezos #Journalism #Bezos

An alternative to media owners like Jeff Bezos — Tom Arenberg

Because the ivory tower of academia repels reality, I’m going to intrepidly and unapologetically ask: “Why the heck can’t a billionaire owner operate a newspaper at a loss forever?” Jeff Bezos, who...

tomarenberg.net

From a blog reader: “Thanks Tom! Always appreciate your perspective on issues that matter to journalism."

Tom Arenberg@tomarenberg.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Trump sees no red lines as he tries to subdue the news media. Don Lemon's arrest shows that. But even that may not be his most ominous move of the past three weeks. Latest blog post (1.5 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/2/1/trumps-newest-anti-press-tactic-make-journalism-a-crime #Journalism