It's not often that we get a full-throated explanation of the thinking that goes into a story or a picture.

Kudos to TIME managing editor Richard Stengel for explaining why he went with the cover picture of a mutilated Afghan woman. His blog discusses what went into the decision. And you can read in his words the agony he and his staff went through. But in the end:

bad things do happen to people, and it is part of our job to confront and explain them. In the end, I felt that the image is a window into the reality of what is happening — and what can happen — in a war that affects and involves all of us. I would rather confront readers with the Taliban's treatment of women than ignore it. I would rather people know that reality as they make up their minds about what the U.S. and its allies should do in Afghanistan. Read more »

Author Name: 

Dan Kubiske

Author Email: 

Dan@kubiske.org

Yesterday, the Radio Television and Digital News Association called on its members to contact members of the U.S. Senate to get the Free Flow of Information Act, also known as the federal shield law, out of committee and onto the Senate floor for a vote.

The Free Flow of Information has been passed by the House of Representatives, was voted out of the Senate Judiciary Committee in March after lengthy debate, and today awaits action by the full Senate. NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOU TO ACT. We need the 111th Congress to pass the Free Flow of Information Act (S. 448) before the legislative session draws to a close.

The RTDNA call is one more push by journalism groups -- including the SPJ -- to get the legislation passed. Read more »

First posted at Journalism, Journalists and the World and SPJ International Committee blog.

At first the July 16 New York Time story about Pakistani legislators claiming university degrees they never earned seemed like a fun story. One that would provide a small insight into Pakistan's politics and earn a chuckle or two. (Pakistani Legislators Face Accusations of Faking Their Degrees) Read more »

Tony Mauro writes in the National Law Journal about an interesting battle between the state attorney general of Texas and a group of local government officials over the state's sunshine and open meeting laws. (High court privacy ruling finds way into Texas sunshine case)

It seems the local officials claim that the law requiring all business discussions be on the record violates their First Amendment rights of free speech. Read more »

The DC SPJ Freelance group will take a little summer break and will meet again in September.

In the meantime, are there any urgent topics you'd like to discuss by e-mail?

Stephenie Overman

Author of Next-Generation Wellness at Work

www.stephenieoverman.com