@tomarenberg
Former news/sports journalist. Now journalism instructor at U of Alabama. I write an educational (I think!) and noncommercial blog on journalism for my students and anyone else who's interested. http://www.tomarenberg.net/the-arenblog-archive
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...
From a blog reader: "Scary."
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
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.
UPDATE: The Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild now estimates that The Washington Post laid off almost HALF of its journalists, not one-third.
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."
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: “Thanks Tom! Always appreciate your perspective on issues that matter to journalism."
After sticking with The Washington Post through multiple bad decisions by ownership/leadership, I’m done. If you can’t find a way to monetize sports and local news, you’re not really trying.
From a blog reader: "Excellent. I'll come into your place of worship and/or classroom and do the same (as Don Lemon did) now that you think it perfectly legal."
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
From blog readers: "Great analysis." "Excellent." "Great read, Tom."
From blog readers:
"My husband and I frequently shout questions at the TV that are more hard-hitting & contain more followup than what the 'news' reporters are pitching."
"CBS News has lost this household after decades of viewing."
Bad decision after bad decision. Air time Sunday for the tattoo photo from Homeland Security was my breaking point. It's time for everyone to give up on CBS News.
Latest blog post (3 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/1/19/10-moments-that-tell-the-demise-of-cbs-news
Thank you, Indiana football, for giving us a moment of light in a world currently filled with darkness.
Tim Walz urges Minnesota residents to carry smartphones and record ICE agents whenever they see them. Good advice.
From a blog reader: "(I) disagree with your premise that what (Nick) Shirley did was bad. He brought light to a problem that had not been addressed, which is a core tenet of investigative journalism."
Non-traditional reporting can happen anywhere any time, for better or for worse, as current events in Minneapolis demonstrate.
The latest blog post (2 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/1/11/the-wonderful-and-awful-consequences-of-do-it-yourself-journalism
#Journalism
From some Arenblog readers:
"That was fun!"
"Great puzzle!"
"That was fun. Nice job."
Have some fun with this original journalism-themed crossword puzzle
Game time! Test your journalism knowledge and puzzle solving ability with an original, interactive, journalism-themed crossword on my blog. It’s a fun time filler but not a brain killer. www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2025/7/3/try-this-journalism-crossword-puzzle
Editing 101: If an investigative story must surpass a rival’s reporting, an editor says that to the staff on Day 1. Why didn’t Bari Weiss? Because it's an excuse she made up on the spot.
#Journalism #60Minutes #CBS
From a blog reader: "What a great idea."
Journalists write about the worst mistakes of people’s lives. But sometimes they’ll erase them.
With a radical idea of mine.
A 2.5-minute blog post: www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2025/12/16/newsrooms-decide-some-personal-shames-shouldnt-last-forever
#Journalism #NewsMedia #RightToBeForgotten
Trump (again) called a reporter 'obnoxious' and 'terrible' after a fair question yesterday. No surprise, the reporter is Black and female. Also no surprise: No pushback.
A 12/2 blog post on press conference bullies: www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2025/12/1/how-to-handle-the-jerks-or-worse-at-the-lectern
From a blog reader: "Well said, professor. I spoke to a recent graduate today who was 'heartbroken' at the loss of the experimental learning opportunities these two publications offered. Shameful."
A lot of bad thinking and politics came together this week to mistreat some student journalists at the University of Alabama. The school deserves the hostile aftermath.
My latest blog post (4 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2025/12/4/u-of-alabamas-termination-of-student-magazines-stirs-alumni-anger
From a blog reader: "Tom Arenberg is rightly critical of White House journalists who've done nothing while Trump hurls personal insults at their members (usually women)."
What would you do if a fellow reporter just got personally and publicly insulted by a powerful figure?
Two ways journalists should stick up for each other (2 min): www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2025/12/1/how-to-handle-the-jerks-or-worse-at-the-lectern
From a blog reader: 'It's gross. I can’t stand all the betting ads, how it’s causing more addiction and resulting in more threats against players. Some of these gamblers literally think the teams or players owe them money because they lost a bet. At the very least, do away with prop bets.'
Tons of salient points here. Missing: the life of being a Missourian right now with betting becoming legal Dec. 1. I now hate Kevin Hart, DraftKings and Fan Duel with every fiber of my being.