Lynn Walsh

New article out!

I just published “Creators — and everyone sharing on the internet — should think about minimizing harm” for News Creator Corps.

The short version: in today’s world, virtually anyone can capture and share. That’s amazing because it can bring light to overlooked stories and voices. But it also means we need to stop and ask questions before we hit post or share:

1. What’s my reason for sharing this?
2. Could it cause someone harm (emotionally, reputationally, physically)?
3. Am I including enough context, or just dumping something out there for clicks?

The point isn’t to censor or avoid difficult stories. The point is to share responsibly. Because behind every photo, headline or share, there are real people and real consequences.

I’d love for you to check it out and share your thoughts. If you’re creating, sharing or just scrolling, how do you think about your role in the info you pass along?

Creators—and everyone sharing on the internet—should think about minimizing harm - News Creator Corps Each of us has a front-row seat to not just witness history but contribute to how people remember it.

Excited to be leading the Trusting News team in exploring how technology and AI can help us bring our research-backed solutions to building trust with news audiences to more journalists and creators through Hacks/Hackers AI Lab

“At Trusting News, we know journalists can build trust through transparency and engagement," Lynn Walsh, Assistant Director of Trusting News said. "Newsrooms want to do this work but too often, it becomes one more thing to add to the list, not something built into everyday workflows. I’ve been talking for a while about how technology and AI could help solve that problem. Can we use tech to embed transparency and community listening into the journalism process itself? Can AI help newsrooms more easily listen and engage? We think the answer is yes and we’re excited to explore how to make that happen through this Innovation Lab.”

Hacks/Hackers’ Newsroom AI Lab add three new partners Bellingcat, Prison Journalism Project and Trusting News will explore how AI tools might provide replicable, shareable approaches and solutions to common newsroom problems.

Excited to be working with Trusting News + these 15 newsrooms to help journalists build AI literacy and strengthen trust with their communities along the way.

Details:

Meet the newsrooms selected to join Trusting News AI literacy efforts - Trusting News Teams from 15 newsrooms will invest in educating their communities about AI.

🚨 Big news from Trusting News ! 🚨

For more than a year I’ve been trying to help journalists learn how to build trust with their use of AI. We just released brand new exploring how the public feels about AI and what that means for journalists trying to build trust while using these tools. (Read the research here: https://trustingnews.org/new-research-how-ai-disclosures-in-news-help-and-also-hurt-trust-with-audiences/)

Some key takeaways from the research:
🧠 Audiences are skeptical, uncomfortable and unsure about AI — especially in journalism.
📣 People want transparency (A LOT of it) when use AI but even detailed disclosures don’t always ease their concerns. 🛑 Disclosing AI use often led to less trust in a story.
👂 Listening and engaging to news consumers is always essential but when it comes to using AI asking your audience can help you understand their comfort and expectations around that use. Don’t assume — ask.
🧍‍♀️ Emphasizing the human side of journalism matters more than ever.

We’ve created a whole new set of free resources to help build trust with their use of AI, including tools for:
✅ Listening to your audience
✅ Writing clear disclosures
✅ Creating AI policies
✅ Supporting ethical decision-making

📚 Explore all the new resources in our updated AI Trust Kit: https://trustingnews.org/ai
📺 Watch the research webinar recording: https://youtu.be/ogAUeI2ZdXM

💡 Want to go deeper?
We’re launching a new AI cohort + innovation fund focused on educating your community about AI, not just how it’s used in news, but how it works and how to spot it.

Newsrooms can:
1️⃣ Join a paid cohort to experiment with AI education
2️⃣ Apply for a $5,000 innovation grant to develop a community-facing idea

📌 Details + how to apply: https://trustingnews.org/newsrooms-apply-to-join-two-new-paid-trusting-news-initiatives-focused-on-educating-the-public-about-ai/

Apply now: Innovation fund and AI cohort News consumers want transparency about AI use in journalism. This resource has tested language to help journalists disclose AI use in reporting, writing and editing — with a focus on human involvement and ethical standards.

Thank you for inviting me Sue Kopen Katcef. I loved reconnecting with a real broadcast legend and sharing our latest research around how journalists can use AI in ethical ways.

Thank you so much RTDNA, what a surprise! This really means a lot.

Since me college days, this organization has offered a place to build my skills, network and learn from other journalists and give back.

I look forward to continuing to give back and help the accurate, responsible and ethical information being gathered and shared by your members reach as many communities and people as possible.

Congratulations to Lynn Walsh of Trusting News, recipient of the 2025 RTDNA Rob Downey Citation! 👏

Named for RTDNA’s first executive secretary, this honor recognizes exceptional service to our Board of Directors, and Lynn’s dedication, insight and leadership have been invaluable to our mission.

From her early contributions as a journalist to her recent work on key committees, Lynn continues to shape the future of RTDNA!

Trying to silence journalists for doing their jobs is a direct attack on the . This isn’t just about the press—it’s about the public’s right to know. spj.org/spj-backs-ap-r… Society of Professional Journalists

SPJ backs AP reporters amid administration’s troubling efforts to stifle independent press | Society of Professional Journalists Society of Professional Journalists, improving and protecting journalism since 1909

: The Society of Professional Journalists convention is next week! If you're going...
✔️ Register ahead of time for the Trusting News pre-convention session on newsroom culture and how who we are as humans impacts our journalism. https://www.spj.org/convention-breakouts.asp
👋 Also be sure to stop by the Trusting News booth and say hi to Joy Mayer and me!

Breakout Sessions • SPJ23 Journalism Conference Join us in Vegas from September 28-30, 2023.

friends: What do you think about driving less? Could you do it? What would you need to help you drive less?

Trusting News & I are helping KPBS organize a community listening event on June 10 to talk about this issue. And we want to hear from YOU. Out-of-the-box ideas are welcome (more grocery stores, later child care, better housing options...) Event details here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/getting-around-san-diego-tickets-638864439737

Getting Around San Diego Whether you drive, bike, take public transit or all of the above, join KPBS for a conversation about transportation in San Diego.

If you’re looking for a lake vacation this summer, come join us in upstate NY! We are the proud owners of Black Bear Lodges on 4th Lake and still have a few openings during the summer season. Details below ⬇️

Completed my goal of 52 hikes in 2022. This last one was more of a long walk (6.5 miles) than a hike but was a first for us and had plenty of lake and mountain views. Here’s to another 52 in 2023! 🥾

It’s been a festive holiday season in Ocean Beach & San Diego. Grateful for warm weather, gorgeous winter sunsets & friends.