🎮🛰️Building stories, controlling access and rethinking journalism tools

Hello Storybenchers!

The tools behind journalism are evolving quickly, opening up new ways to tell stories while also introducing new constraints. From interactive storytelling built with code to growing limits on access to critical reporting resources, technology is influencing both creativity and control.

This week’s newsletter looks at that tension — alongside examples of how storytelling continues to expand across formats, from personal narratives to large-scale data projects.

Happy reading!

Here is our featured content this week:

🎮💻 How to build a choice-driven game with JavaScript 

Have an idea for a game but don’t know how and where to begin with JS? Fear not, we got you! This guide walks through how you can build simple games using JS. It breaks down the basics of structuring gameplay, handling user input and designing interactive experiences. The approach highlights how coding can expand storytelling beyond traditional formats. Play here 

🛰️⚠️Satellite companies block journalists’ access to images from the Iran war

Satellite imagery has become a key reporting tool, but access is increasingly controlled by private companies. Restrictions during the Iran war limited what journalists could obtain and publish. This shift raises concerns about transparency and who controls visual evidence in conflict reporting. Read here

Cool Stuff Corner: What are we reading?

T🌕🚀Why go back now? Why go back at all?

NASA’s Artemis II mission recently sent astronauts around the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years, marking a major milestone in space exploration. This interactive map explores the lunar surface in detail, highlighting landing sites, terrain and mission context. It offers a clear, visual way to understand where future missions may go. 

Kenneth Chang, reporting from the Johnson space center from Houston reported that the four astronauts splashed down at 8:07 p.m. Eastern time in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego on Friday, completing the historic 10-day mission, the first to send humans around the moon in more than 50 years. 

💧📝 A “tears collector” built from personal loss

Created by Northeastern's Media Innovation alumna Szu Yu Chan, this project documents emotions following a layoff through a simple, interactive format. It reflects moments of uncertainty, support and personal reflection during a difficult period. The work shows how digital storytelling can capture vulnerability while experimenting with emerging tools.

Did you know?💡

Yesterday, April 9 marked the first Local News Day, a national campaign highlighting the importance of local journalism across the U.S. According to a Neiman Lab report, more than 1,300 newsrooms participated, encouraging audiences to support and engage with local outlets. The effort also draws attention to the rise of news deserts and the need to sustain community reporting. Local newsrooms and reporters went all out on LinkedIn.

From the Vault 🏛️

 ♿💻Assembling a searchable interface of Boston police misconduct data

An interesting pick straight from our vault shows how to turn complex public records into a searchable, user-friendly interface. It walks through structuring data, building access points and making information easier to navigate. The work highlights how data tools can improve accountability and public access.

📺📊 Unpacking Singapore’s Carbon Credits: A Conversation on Uncertainty and Environmental Policy 

From climate change to now climate emergency, this story examines how carbon credits function within Singapore’s climate strategy. It explores uncertainty in measurement, policy design and environmental impact. The discussion highlights the challenges of translating climate goals into effective systems.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK📸

On behalf of everyone here in Boston, I’m glad to announce that spring has finally arrived! A rare sight: our huskies working outdoors at one of the most peaceful spots on campus.

That's all we've got for this week! Thanks for reading, and let us know if there's anything you'd like to see in these newsletters or in our coverage at [email protected].

And follow us on Instagram, Twitter (or X, or whatever) and LinkedIn for live updates on stories each week!