Tools & Resources for Journalists
Please note: The inclusion of a resource in this list does not imply endorsement by the NewsGuild of New York. If you have any additions, suggestions, or edits to this list, please email us with the subject line "Journalist's Resource List Update".
Sotheby's International Realty Advantage Program
A Beginner’s Guide to Social Media Analytics
Beyond likes, retweets and emojis, there are other ways to measure the impact of a social posting, thanks to social media analytics tools. Conveniently, for Twitter and Facebook, these are built right into the platforms. Both of these native analytics tools offer a deep dive into how your content is performing. But for those exploring the world of social media analytics for the first time, we have a primer on what to look for!
How Journalists Can Better Manage Their Social Media Workflow
As most newsrooms are already married to one social media management tool or another, the following tools may be useful in helping you organize your personal social media strategy. Here’s what you need to know about the big four.
Basic Best Practices for Journalists on Twitter
You’d be surprised by how many professionals, including journalists, use Twitter but are unaware of some simple, yet crucial best practices. The following tips can help you set a solid foundation for which to build an effective social media presence on.
7 Smartphone Photo Tips and Tricks for Journalists
With smartphone photography becoming a larger part of many journalists’ day-to-day jobs, it’s important to know how to get the most out of your shots. With media professionals in mind, we have seven tips and tricks to improve your snapping skills.
8 Must-Have Smartphone Apps for Media Professionals
The app store of any smartphone can be an overwhelming place, and if you’re a media professional, you don’t have time to sift through the thousands of apps that could make your job a lot easier. For people like you, we have eight of the most effective apps for journalists and other media professionals.
7 Tips for Getting the Most Out of LinkedIn
Whether you’re thinking about a new job or not or even just networking, the following tips will help you get the most out of LinkedIn, and will make your life a lot easier should you begin exploring new opportunities.
5 Ways Media Professionals Can Gain More Twitter Followers
You may think the number of Twitter followers one has is simply a vanity metric, but the truth is that in many cases it’s an important indicator of how influential you are in your industry. There are many ways to gain more followers on Twitter. You could buy them, but chances are those are not the kind of followers you want. (And we wouldn’t recommend that.) Read our quick guide on how you can increase your Twitter following!
Amber
“A tool for blogs & websites to keep linked content accessible” from the Berkman Center at Harvard, Amber “prevents linkrot."
Digital Media Law Project at Harvard's Berkman Center
No longer updated, but the resources remain. The DMLP "works to ensure that individuals and organizations involved in online journalism and digital media have access to the legal resources, education, tools, and representation."
Eyewitness Media Hub
“Supporting the creation, discovery, verification and publication of eyewitness media.”
First Draft
"A coalition of experts sharing tips and training in how to discover, verify and publish eyewitness media for news."
firstdraftnews.org
Twitter: @firstdraftnews
Frontline Freelance Register
"Frontline Freelance Register (FFR) is run by freelancers, for freelancers. FFR is open to actively working, international freelance foreign and conflict journalists who take physical risks in their work, and sign up to the Code of Conduct. We aim to provide members with representation and a sense of community, vital in this fragmented profession." Includes resources.
frontlinefreelance.org
Twitter: @ffregister
Giphy's GIF Maker
“Create animated GIFs from video files and YouTube links.”
Google Reverse Image Search
You can use Google’s Reverse Image Search to verify image source and background – just click on the camera symbol to search by image, linked or uploaded.
Groundsource
"Stop Surveying. Start Listening. Your community is talking. By embracing the simplicity and ubiquity of mobile messaging, GroundSource makes listening simple and scalable. Transform one-way communications into rich conversations, building a loyal and trusting community in the process."
groundsource.co/
Twitter: @groundsource
Hearken
"Hearken is an audience-driven platform enabling journalists to partner with the public to create relevant and high-performing stories.”
wearehearken.com/
Twitter: @wearehearken
International Center for Journalists
"The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) is a non-profit organization that is shaping the future of quality journalism." Includes resources, training and tools.
International Journalists's Network (from ICFJ)
"IJNet delivers the latest on global media innovation, news apps and tools, training opportunities and expert advice for professional and citizen journalists worldwide. Produced by the International Center for Journalists, IJNet follows the shifting journalism scene from a global perspective in seven languages."
ijnet.org/
Twitter: @IJNet
Journalist’s Resource (via Harvard’s Shorenstein Center)
“Journalist's Resource surfaces research on today's news topics.”
Journalist’s Security Guide (via CPJ)
A guide to "covering the news in a dangerous and changing world" - offers advice for preparedness and digital and physical security for journalists both domestically and abroad.
Journalist’s Toolbox (via SPJ)
A round-up of resources for journalists.
journaliststoolbox.org
Twitter: @journtoolbox
NiemanLab
“We are the Nieman Journalism Lab at Harvard. We're trying to figure out the future of news.”
.niemanlab.org
Twitter: @NiemanLab
One World Media International Reporting Workshop
"Our day-long workshops inspire and enable the next generation of documentary filmmakers, journalists and media makers to cover stories from the wider world through interactive sessions that highlight the skills necessary to deliver outstanding reporting from developing countries."
Plagiarism.org
"Plagiarism Prevention and Information on Proper Citation... Plagiarism.org is a free resource sponsored by iParadigms LLC, makers of Turnitin, WriteCheck, and iThenticate."
plagiarism.org
Twitter: @PlagiarismDtOrg
Poynter: “How to preserve your work before the Internet eats it”
An article from Poynter on how to preserve your work in the digital age.
poynter.org/2016/how-to-preserve-your-work-before-the-internet-eats-it/390712/
Poynter's Plagiarism Guide
"Is it original? An editor’s guide to identifying plagiarism"
poynter.org/2014/is-it-original-an-editors-guide-to-identifying-plagiarism/269273/#guide
Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontières)
"Reporters Without Borders fights for press freedom all over the world. " Offers resources, training, loan of body armor, helmets, and distress beacons, a 24 hour emergency hotline, and insurance for "freelancers of any nationality, or staff journalists not covered by an employer insurance policy."
Twitter: @RSF_en
Source Fabric
“Sourcefabric is Europe’s largest developer of open source tools for news media… All of our tools are open source and free to download: Superdesk, Newscoop, Booktype, Airtime, Live Blog, and Citizen Desk.”
The Coral Project
"We are creating open-source tools and resources for publishers of all sizes to build better communities around their journalism."
coralproject.net
Twitter: @coralproject
TinyLetter
"TinyLetter is a personal newsletter service brought to you by the people behind MailChimp. People use it to send updates, digests, and dispatches to their fans and friends... TinyLetter is a completely free service."
Women’s Media Center
"The Women's Media Center makes women visible and powerful in the media" and "works with the media to ensure that women’s stories are told and women’s voices are heard... The Women’s Media Center was founded in 2005 as a non-profit progressive women's media organization by Jane Fonda, Robin Morgan, and Gloria Steinem."