From City Journal, Myron Magnet on how American press freedom began on Wall Street: A 1735 libel trial in New York’s City Hall proved revolutionary. Give Patch a Chance: Controversy swirls around AOL’s ambitious hyperlocal venture. From the fringe to the mainstream: How “scandals” of dubious validity or relevance end up attracting so much media attention. A matter of interpretation: Why an analytic approach is crucial for mainstream news outlets. Scientists map what factors influence the news agenda. Let us pay: John Lanchester on the future of the newspaper industry. From Neiman Reports, a special issue on "The Beat Goes On—Its Rhythm Changes", including Kate Galbraith on the capriciousness of beats; it’s scary out there in reporting land: David Cay Johnston on how beats are fundamental to journalism, but our foundation is crumbling; and Juanita Leon on the blog as beat. From OJR, why the death of syndication is great news for hyperlocal and niche sites. Can journalists call a lie a lie? The thing about news is that it has to be unusual, otherwise it's not news, it's just life — that's one theory at least, but it presents all sorts of problems. What will 2011 bring for journalism? Clay Shirky predicts widespread disruptions for syndication. Why the iPad is destroying the future of journalism. A planned IPO has exposed weaknesses in its business model and accounting methods — can Demand Media survive, let alone thrive? A review of The Deeds of My Fathers: How My Grandfather and Father Built New York and Created the Tabloid World of Today by Paul David Pope.
