Good reads for Nov. 30: State of media industry, journalists killed on the job, and more

To do good writing, read good writing. Here’s the good writing I’ve been reading this week:

Post Industrial Journalism: Adapting to the Present (Columbia Journalism School) – A manifesto on what newspeople and the organizations they work for need to do to keep up with the times.

 The Infernal Machine: From Powder to Dust (Southern Investigative Journalism Foundation) – This investigation into a multi-level marketing company called ViSalus that could be the fastest growing company in the country is the kick-off effort of a new non-profit group created by a handful of veteran investigative journalists.

Using war as a cover to target journalists (New York Times) – If it seems like more war correspondents are getting killed in the line of duty, it’s because they are.

It happened to me: I lost a job for calling out a company’s rape apology (xoJane) – Dan Solomon, a freelance writer and frequent CultureMap contributor wrote a post on his own blog calling out the Dallas hyperlocal’s decision to run an editorial questioning whether a 17-year-old girl lied when she claimed a local baseball star had raped her. When Solomon refused Culturemap editors’ requests to take down his post, they told him they wouldn’t be able to assign him any new work. “The idea that a company would let go of someone they’ve worked with for a long time for saying, ‘Speculating about whether a girl who files rape charges is a liar without reporting any information that leads to that conclusion is irresponsible!’ while so steadfastly defending the article that does the speculating was a surprise,” he writes.

In Michigan, a look back on the 2012 campaign (Columbia Journalism Review) – A behind-the-scenes look at what it was like reporting on the Obama v. Romney battle, from a first-timer and a veteran reporter.

How to read like a person who has way too much to read (New York Times Magazine) – What NYT Magazine editor Hugo Lindgren has on his nightstand.

The best business books of 2012: Find fulfillment, get productive, and create healthy habits (Fast Company) – Inspiration for taking your freelance business to the next level in the New Year — or gift suggestions for the business-minded individuals on your holiday shopping list.

The best commercials of 2012 (AdWeek) – I dare you to watch Wieden + Kennedy’s “Best Job” spot for P&G (No. 7) or their “Jogger” ad for Nike (No. 3 — that’s it above) without being moved. Go on, I dare you.