Better News: WITF uses democracy beat to restore trust and push back against political rhetoric
Oct 1, 2024
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Tim Lambert, special projects editor at WITF, and Scott Blanchard, director of journalism at WITF, dive into the intriguing concept of a democracy beat aimed at restoring trust in journalism. They discuss how this initiative addresses misinformation and the impact on their election coverage. The duo emphasizes engaging community voices, the importance of transparency, and innovative strategies to empower citizens. They share insights on adapting political reporting to meet voters' needs and the role of tailored content in fostering trust within the community.
WITF established a democracy beat to combat misinformation and foster public trust through accountability in political reporting.
The station enhances election coverage by prioritizing voter-centered journalism, encouraging civic engagement and addressing community concerns effectively.
Deep dives
Establishing a Democracy Beat
A new democracy beat was created by WITF to address rising concerns about political misinformation and to foster audience trust. This initiative stemmed from events surrounding the 2020 election and efforts to combat rampant disinformation in the media landscape. By focusing on accountability, the beat aims to track legislators influencing and spreading misinformation, providing the public with fact-based reporting. This approach is designed to empower audiences with the knowledge needed to navigate the complex political environment effectively.
Community Engagement Strategies
WITF employs various community engagement strategies to better serve its audience's informational needs while understanding local perspectives. Activities include organized listening sessions, news and brew events, and outreach programs to elevate the voices of marginalized communities. By gathering input from citizens, WITF creates journalism that reflects the genuine concerns and questions of the community. Additionally, these interactions enrich the reporting process, ensuring coverage is relevant and responsive.
Transforming Election Coverage
WITF is redefining its approach to election coverage by shifting the focus from traditional horse race journalism to voter-centered reporting. The station emphasizes dialogue with voters about the issues they care about rather than simply broadcasting political candidates' messages. This strategy aims to empower voters by highlighting solutions and encouraging civic participation. By offering a platform for voters to voice their concerns, WITF seeks to enhance democratic engagement and transparency.
Countering Misinformation
Efforts to counter misinformation form a crucial aspect of WITF's journalism strategy as they develop foundational materials for audiences seeking clarity in a confusing media landscape. This includes producing explainers and partnering with other organizations to generate informative content about election processes and political developments. By focusing on accessibility and transparency, WITF aims to equip audiences with the tools needed to critically assess the information they encounter. Their commitment to addressing misinformation reflects a broader goal of restoring public trust in journalism.
WITF, the NPR station in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania recently started a democracy beat as a way to build trust, counter misinformation and tamp down political rhetoric.
Special projects editor Tim Lambert oversees the democracy beat and Scott Blanchard is WITF's director of journalism. They talk to Better News podcast host Michael O'Connell about the origins of the democracy beat and how this new approach impacts the station's election coverage.
Read the report Tim Lambert wrote Better News: How WITF is using democracy reporting to build trust and tamp down political rhetoric.