How technology coverage has changed, according to Casey Newton

Lawfare podcast hosts Evelyn Douek and Quinta Jurecic spoke with Casey Newton, veteran Silicon Valley editor for The Verge who recently went independent to start a newsletter called Platformer, about covering technology and platforms.

Newton uses insiders and other sources to break stories about companies, which often don’t cooperate with journalists.

“I think I trust them more than I used to,” said Newton. “Sometimes you just go round and round with people for a long time, and finally they will just level with you.”

He also noted that there are good and bad public relations professionals.

“There are some folks who work really hard to get me accurate information,” said Newton. “…One of the things that I like writing about Facebook is that it is sensitive to public perception.” He said that’s not true of companies such as Apple or Tesla.

Newton also noted that public relations professionals make choices on which reporters they work with based on the impact that they think the story will have.

To listen, go here.