Andy Bechtel
@andybechtel.bsky.social
Journalism professor at UNC-Chapel Hill. Copy editor. NOLA native, Durham denizen. Member of AAUP and ACES: the Society for Editing. https://editdesk.wordpress.com/
Reposted by Andy Bechtel
Rise of Skywalker, the entire theater knew it would suck ass the second it started, it reminded me of watching the Mets or Raiders collapse, everybody was actively pissed off, saying stuff like "oh god" or laughing at how shit it was. A real bonding moment
Raising the always fun question: What are your most memorable theater-going experiences?
Mine also include The Matrix, Blair Witch, and being way too stoned in Belgium when Fellowship of the Ring was sold out so we sat in the back row for Mulholland Drive instead.
Mine also include The Matrix, Blair Witch, and being way too stoned in Belgium when Fellowship of the Ring was sold out so we sat in the back row for Mulholland Drive instead.
It was hands-down one of the most memorable theater-going experiences I can remember, a collective 30-minute butt-clench/armrest-grab for the final climb. And we knew he lived! Wild.
December 13, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Rise of Skywalker, the entire theater knew it would suck ass the second it started, it reminded me of watching the Mets or Raiders collapse, everybody was actively pissed off, saying stuff like "oh god" or laughing at how shit it was. A real bonding moment
Reposted by Andy Bechtel
Incredible ad placement for this @politico.com story about Olivia Nuzzi's book flopping.
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
December 11, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Incredible ad placement for this @politico.com story about Olivia Nuzzi's book flopping.
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Reposted by Andy Bechtel
UT-Dallas fired the editor of the student paper, then fired the staff when they went on strike to object, then banned their independent newspaper from campus, and now are trying to discipline the former student editor for fact-checking a letter to the editor? Glad @thefireorg.bsky.social is on this.
UT Dallas is Trying to Punish a Student Editor for Editing
UT Dallas has consistently been accused of free speech violations in recent years.
www.dallasobserver.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:50 PM
UT-Dallas fired the editor of the student paper, then fired the staff when they went on strike to object, then banned their independent newspaper from campus, and now are trying to discipline the former student editor for fact-checking a letter to the editor? Glad @thefireorg.bsky.social is on this.
Reposted by Andy Bechtel
Editor In Chief of Quinnipiac's student paper steps back from news coverage in order to not risk her visa. "For her, the irony is sharp. She comes from a country that was once under communist rule, and she viewed the U.S. as a beacon of free expression." nutgrafnews.substack.com/p/internatio...
International student EIC has to 'step back' from news coverage to not risk her visa
'I kind of feel like a hypocrite sometimes,' says a CT student journalist from Slovakia
nutgrafnews.substack.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Editor In Chief of Quinnipiac's student paper steps back from news coverage in order to not risk her visa. "For her, the irony is sharp. She comes from a country that was once under communist rule, and she viewed the U.S. as a beacon of free expression." nutgrafnews.substack.com/p/internatio...
Reposted by Andy Bechtel
What photojournalist Ann Hermes does may look like nostalgia, but she’s actually capturing something else – people and places on the brink of change. That includes local newsrooms.
“This is for me a love letter to journalism,” Hermes said.
www.poynter.org/local-news/2...
“This is for me a love letter to journalism,” Hermes said.
www.poynter.org/local-news/2...
This photographer is documenting old newspaper newsrooms while they’re still around - Poynter
Ann Hermes' images show what's left and what we stand to lose
www.poynter.org
December 10, 2025 at 2:01 PM
What photojournalist Ann Hermes does may look like nostalgia, but she’s actually capturing something else – people and places on the brink of change. That includes local newsrooms.
“This is for me a love letter to journalism,” Hermes said.
www.poynter.org/local-news/2...
“This is for me a love letter to journalism,” Hermes said.
www.poynter.org/local-news/2...
Reposted by Andy Bechtel
Come work with me! Salary range $85,000-$100,000. Benefits include a union, fairly low insurance premiums and so many cat photos. job-boards.greenhouse.io/propublica/j...
Copy Editor
New York City, United States; Remote, United States
job-boards.greenhouse.io
December 9, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Come work with me! Salary range $85,000-$100,000. Benefits include a union, fairly low insurance premiums and so many cat photos. job-boards.greenhouse.io/propublica/j...
Reposted by Andy Bechtel
*presses record*
Idea for movie: a maverick proofreader breaks all the rules & defies his bosses by making er, clear & concise corrections, wait a minute, delete
Idea for movie: a maverick proofreader breaks all the rules & defies his bosses by making er, clear & concise corrections, wait a minute, delete
December 8, 2025 at 6:29 PM
*presses record*
Idea for movie: a maverick proofreader breaks all the rules & defies his bosses by making er, clear & concise corrections, wait a minute, delete
Idea for movie: a maverick proofreader breaks all the rules & defies his bosses by making er, clear & concise corrections, wait a minute, delete
When “yes” is the answer to a question headline.
December 7, 2025 at 8:09 PM
When “yes” is the answer to a question headline.
Reposted by Andy Bechtel
Did you or someone you know dance on Soul Train in the 1970s?
I’d like to talk with you or them about that experience for my research
Thanks!
I’d like to talk with you or them about that experience for my research
Thanks!
December 6, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Did you or someone you know dance on Soul Train in the 1970s?
I’d like to talk with you or them about that experience for my research
Thanks!
I’d like to talk with you or them about that experience for my research
Thanks!
Reposted by Andy Bechtel
“I was under the impression that we were protected from being affected by any anti-DEI legislation and rulings because of our First Amendment right to freedom of press, but it appears I was wrong,” Alice Magazine Editor-in-Chief Gabrielle Gunter said in a statement Tuesday.
Via Andrea Tinker: The University of Alabama suspended publication of two student-run magazines on Monday, claiming that the publications were not in compliance with federal guidance on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.
University of Alabama suspends student magazines for Black students, female students | Alabama Reflector
The University of Alabama suspended publication for Nineteen Fifty-Six Magazine and Alice Magazine citing a memo from Attorney General Pam Bondi.
alabamareflector.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:41 PM
“I was under the impression that we were protected from being affected by any anti-DEI legislation and rulings because of our First Amendment right to freedom of press, but it appears I was wrong,” Alice Magazine Editor-in-Chief Gabrielle Gunter said in a statement Tuesday.
Reposted by Andy Bechtel
NYT editor takes reader questions about covering Trump. Gift link. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
Your Questions, Complaints and Feedback for Our Editor, Joe Kahn
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:52 PM
NYT editor takes reader questions about covering Trump. Gift link. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
“Are you silently correcting my grammar?” Nah, we’re good. We all make mistakes, especially in casual conversations.
What’s the worst question someone can ask after you tell them your profession? For linguists, it’s definitely “how many languages do you speak?”, but I’m curious what else is happening to the rest of y’all out there?!
December 1, 2025 at 7:16 PM
“Are you silently correcting my grammar?” Nah, we’re good. We all make mistakes, especially in casual conversations.
Reposted by Andy Bechtel
"Never spread the lie in the headline" should be a hard rule of 21st century journalism.
Research shows that repeating lies helps to spread them, and people read headlines more than they read stories.
Research shows that repeating lies helps to spread them, and people read headlines more than they read stories.
News media has to do better with headlines that present false and unverified public health claims.
November 30, 2025 at 1:10 AM
"Never spread the lie in the headline" should be a hard rule of 21st century journalism.
Research shows that repeating lies helps to spread them, and people read headlines more than they read stories.
Research shows that repeating lies helps to spread them, and people read headlines more than they read stories.
Reposted by Andy Bechtel
November 29, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Reposted by Andy Bechtel
To try to avoid the Trump administration’s ire, Duke has instructed faculty not to speak to reporters dukechronicle.com/article/duke...
Duke has sought to tighten faculty media engagement to minimize federal scrutiny
The messages reflect a broader University strategy: keeping Duke out of the national spotlight by exercising caution at the faculty level when it comes to politically sensitive topics.
dukechronicle.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:35 PM
To try to avoid the Trump administration’s ire, Duke has instructed faculty not to speak to reporters dukechronicle.com/article/duke...
Reposted by Andy Bechtel
By the way, it's National Editor Appreciation Day.
Nobody ever reads a great article and thinks, "Dang, that was some tight editing." But editing is a big part of how it got to be great.
So writers, if you've ever worked with a good editor, shout 'em out.
Nobody ever reads a great article and thinks, "Dang, that was some tight editing." But editing is a big part of how it got to be great.
So writers, if you've ever worked with a good editor, shout 'em out.
November 24, 2025 at 3:36 PM
By the way, it's National Editor Appreciation Day.
Nobody ever reads a great article and thinks, "Dang, that was some tight editing." But editing is a big part of how it got to be great.
So writers, if you've ever worked with a good editor, shout 'em out.
Nobody ever reads a great article and thinks, "Dang, that was some tight editing." But editing is a big part of how it got to be great.
So writers, if you've ever worked with a good editor, shout 'em out.
Reposted by Andy Bechtel
AP is back in court today to defend itself and the right to speak freely without government retaliation.
Why AP is standing for your right to speak freely
The executive editor of The Associated Press says the news organization is fighting for the right of the press and public to speak freely without being targeted by the government.
bit.ly
November 24, 2025 at 10:30 AM
AP is back in court today to defend itself and the right to speak freely without government retaliation.
The Raleigh holiday parade is today. Its official name: ABC11 Crossroads Ford Apex Raleigh Christmas Parade presented by Shop Local Raleigh
November 22, 2025 at 2:44 PM
The Raleigh holiday parade is today. Its official name: ABC11 Crossroads Ford Apex Raleigh Christmas Parade presented by Shop Local Raleigh
Reposted by Andy Bechtel
The American Association of University Professors (@aaup.org) released a new report documenting an escalating assault on faculty governance structures across the country, with state legislatures in multiple states moving to strip faculty senates of their authority and independence.
AAUP Report Warns of Growing Legislative Threats to Faculty Governance Nationwide
New analysis highlights attacks on faculty senates in Texas, Indiana, Ohio, and Utah as undermining academic freedom and institutional integrity.
www.theeduledger.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:36 PM
The American Association of University Professors (@aaup.org) released a new report documenting an escalating assault on faculty governance structures across the country, with state legislatures in multiple states moving to strip faculty senates of their authority and independence.
What’s going on with headline writing. From now on, I may add that statement to many that I see.
November 18, 2025 at 11:33 PM
What’s going on with headline writing. From now on, I may add that statement to many that I see.
Reposted by Andy Bechtel
There is renewed criticism over the names of military and DHS operations, including the most recent, Operation Charlotte's Web.
www.wunc.org/2025-11-16/w...
www.wunc.org/2025-11-16/w...
What to know about names such as Operation Charlotte's Web
There is renewed criticism over the names of military and DHS operations, including the most recent, Operation Charlotte's Web.
www.wunc.org
November 17, 2025 at 3:21 PM
There is renewed criticism over the names of military and DHS operations, including the most recent, Operation Charlotte's Web.
www.wunc.org/2025-11-16/w...
www.wunc.org/2025-11-16/w...
A lot of learning in today’s sports section.
November 16, 2025 at 10:01 PM
A lot of learning in today’s sports section.
Reposted by Andy Bechtel
I will create the internet's foremost Headline Criticism platform.
November 16, 2025 at 3:20 PM
I will create the internet's foremost Headline Criticism platform.
Reposted by Andy Bechtel
Today among the tabloids
November 13, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Today among the tabloids
Reposted by Andy Bechtel
“If you want to bully people —particularly the free press — if you want to bully them, there’s a price to pay. And that price is going to be in the millions,” said Eric Meyer, owner and editor of the Marion County Record.
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Kansas county apologizes, agrees to pay $3M over small-town newspaper raid
“If you want to bully people, particularly the free press ... there’s a price to pay. And that price is going to be in the millions.”
www.kansascity.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:35 AM
“If you want to bully people —particularly the free press — if you want to bully them, there’s a price to pay. And that price is going to be in the millions,” said Eric Meyer, owner and editor of the Marion County Record.
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...