SmartRundown Learn

In-depth articles on broadcast writing, producing, digital journalism, and AI in the newsroom — written by Ron Jones from thirty years behind the desk.

AI Ethics July 18, 2026

Read It Before You Air It: The One Rule for AI in the Newsroom

Newsrooms don't need a fifty-page policy to use AI responsibly. They need one non-negotiable rule — why the byline never transfers and what "human in the loop" actually means on deadline.

Ron Jones · ~1100 words Read →

Producing July 14, 2026

The Heavy Rundown: Cutting Copy Without Killing the Story

What actually happens when a :90 becomes a :45 at 4:50 p.m., why cutting from the bottom breaks stories, and how to do time surgery that keeps the spine intact.

Ron Jones · ~950 words Read →

Writing July 10, 2026

Why Broadcast Writing Fails When It Sounds Like Print

Why copy written for the eye dies on the air — and the specific print habits every broadcast writer has to unlearn. The fence test, the five deadly patterns, and why mastering the craft matters more now than it did before AI.

Ron Jones · ~1050 words Read →