Journalism (2026)

If you want to learn about journalism, I recommend following a mix of experienced journalists, investigative reporters, media analysts, and journalism educators.

The best way to learn is to follow people who don't just report the news, but also explain how journalism works, how stories are investigated, how sources are verified, and how ethical reporting decisions are made.

1. Journalists you should follow

These are excellent people to learn from:

1. Christiane Amanpour

Learn international reporting, interviewing, war correspondence, and holding powerful people accountable.

2. Bob Woodward

Learn investigative journalism, source development, document research, and political reporting.

3. Marty Baron

Learn newsroom leadership, editing, journalistic integrity, and editorial decision-making.

4. Ida B. Wells

Learn courageous investigative reporting, evidence-based journalism, and journalism's role in social accountability.

5. Jay Rosen

Learn journalism theory, media criticism, public trust, and the future of journalism.

6. Maria Ressa

Learn press freedom, digital misinformation, investigative reporting, and protecting democracy.

7. Anderson Cooper

Learn broadcast journalism, storytelling, interviewing, and reporting from the field.

2. Journalism organizations and publications to follow

These are arguably just as important as individual journalists.

Useful websites:

• Poynter
• ProPublica
• Reuters
• Nieman Lab
• Investigative Reporters and Editors

3. My recommended learning path

If you're starting from scratch, learn in this order:

1. News writing and reporting.
2. Interviewing and asking good questions.
3. Fact-checking and source verification.
4. Investigative journalism.
5. Media ethics and journalism law.
6. Broadcast, digital, and multimedia journalism.
7. Media criticism and understanding the news industry.

4. Let me narrow this down for you

Journalism is a broad field, and the people you should follow depend on what you want to become.

Which direction interests you most?

I can then put together a reading and following list that takes you from beginner to knowledgeable journalist.

Depending on what angle of journalism you want to learn about - whether it’s investigative reporting, media ethics, the business of news, or modern digital/independent storytelling - different creators and veterans stand out.

The following figures are grouped by what they can teach you about the craft:

1. For Modern, Visual, and Explanatory Journalism

If you want to understand how complex global events, science, or data can be translated into compelling, highly researched visual stories:

• Cleo Abram: A former Vox producer turned independent creator. Her work focuses on explaining technology, science, and the future with incredible clarity and high production value. She is a great study in modern digital-first science journalism. 7 Best Independent Journalists on YouTube 2023 - Medium

• Johnny Harris: Known for his deep-dive geopolitical documentaries (formerly with Vox, now independent). Watching his process reveals how to map out complex international stories, use geography and data as reporting tools, and script compelling visual narratives. 7 Best Independent Journalists on YouTube 2023 - Medium

2. For Media Criticism, Industry Analysis, and Press Freedom

If you want to learn about the business, politics, and shifting ecosystem of the media industry itself:

• Kara Swisher: A legendary tech journalist (formerly of The Wall Street Journal and Recode, now hosting Pivot). She is unfiltered, deeply sourced, and offers a masterclass in holding powerful people accountable and understanding the intersection of tech, power, and media. Best Journalist in Social Media - The Shorty Awards

• Oliver Darcy: Known for his sharp media reporting and critique (formerly of CNN's Reliable Sources newsletter), he tracks how news organizations operate, how media ethics play out in real time, and the corporate forces shaping the news.

3. For Independent and Investigative Reporting

If you want to study how deep, long-form investigations are conducted outside traditional corporate newsrooms:

• The Intercept / Ronan Farrow: Following investigative outfits like The Intercept or reading/listening to Ronan Farrow (Catch and Kill) provides an education in source building, legal hurdles, and the immense patience required to break high-stakes investigative stories.

4. For Historical Context and Context-Driven News

• Heather Cox Richardson: A history professor whose Substack newsletter (Letters from an American) became a massive phenomenon. She specializes in stepping back from the 24-hour news cycle to place daily headlines into a deep, long-term historical framework - teaching journalists the value of context over speed.

Suggested Next Action

To learn about journalism, the craft of reporting, and media ethics, the best approach is to follow institutional resources, media watchdogs, and master practitioners who explicitly discuss how and why stories are told.

The following organizations, publications, and resources offer the best insights into the field:

• Poynter Institute: A global leader in journalism education. Following Poynter (and subscribing to their newsletters) gives you a front-row seat to media ethics, fact-checking (via PolitiFact), digital storytelling trends, and practical tools for reporters.

• Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE): If you want to learn deep-dive investigative reporting, data-driven journalism, and how to hold power accountable, IRE is the gold standard professional organization. Their training programs and award-winning story archives are masterclasses in themselves.

• On the Media (WNYC): This long-running radio show and podcast critically examines the press, media manipulation, the economics of news, and how the media shapes the cultural narrative. Tune in to these 10 podcasts about journalism and the media

• The Tip Off: A fantastic podcast that takes you behind the scenes of major investigative scoops, letting reporters walk you through their real-world leads, dead ends, and detective work.

• Experienced Bylines and Industry Analysts: Rather than sticking to a single individual, build a reading habit across contrasting legacy and independent outlets (e.g., Reuters, Associated Press, The Atlantic) to study different writing styles, structures, and objective framing.

If you want to narrow this down, let me know:

• Are you interested in investigative reporting, data journalism, or audio/broadcast?
• Are you looking to study journalism academically or start your own writing/reporting project?

Follow Jay Rosen (@jayrosen_nyu) for thoughtful analysis of journalism and the news industry, and follow journalists and newsrooms in your area to see how reporting works locally.(onlinejournalismblog.com)

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