WHYY’s Post

This roundup of resources for covering elections is 🔥 As our friends at Solutions Journalism Network reminded us -- it's important to USE these tools (not just read about them!). If you could use help implementing them in your newsroom, let us know in the comments or email us at [email protected]!

This interesting study by Erik Peterson and Josh McCrain concludes that a long-held belief that coverage of local elections increases local news readership is false. It goes against the argument that having a local news source increases civic engagement, like voting, and decreases partisanship. "Even when focusing on close mayoral elections or races in years without federal elections, we fail to find beneficial changes in the audiences of local media outlets covering mayoral elections in their community." Even providing free newspaper subscriptions does not increase local news use. I guess the takeaway is you have to lure readers with all sorts of news - about culture, arts, food, sports, etc - and hope they also read the local political coverage. Readers want to be invested in ALL parts of their community, not just who runs the city. #localnews https://lnkd.in/gRfpyDQr

A robust news media ecosystem is essential for democracy, especially in critical election years like 2024, when billions of people worldwide exercise their right to vote. However, global news organizations are facing significant challenges related to "brand safety" concerns that are both unfounded and materially impacting the viability of news organizations, costing them billions annually. HarrisX and Stagwell have launched the Future of News Initiative to spark an industry-wide conversation about the need – and the opportunity – to invest in quality news journalism. Groundbreaking research by HarrisX - a Stagwell Inc. company involving 50,000 Americans highlights that advertising alongside news content is both brand-safe and a strong vehicle for driving business results, with similar results from a survey of 22,000 British citizens being released this week in London. Focused on revitalizing the news-advertising landscape, HarrisX and Stagwell have partnered with diverse array of news outlets to create a platform that encourages investment in news and the future of journalism. Collaborating with our partners, we have published our Future of News mission statement this week across multiple publications to promote awareness and foster positive change in the advertising sector. We invite you to join the conversation: https://lnkd.in/eu92SM7V #Democracy #Elections #News #Journalism #FutureOfNews #Advertising #BrandSafety

In our latest study, conducted in partnership with Lumen Research, “The Power of Traditional News,” we underscore why funding quality journalism isn’t just beneficial for democracy—it’s good for business. We uncover the significant advantages of advertising on trusted news platforms like CNN and Reuters and the impact on attention, brand outcomes, and perceptions. The findings show that ads on traditional news sites capture more attention and drive better results, including a 77% boost in brand performance vs. soft news sites in addition to: • 18% higher reader interest vs. lifestyle and culture content, • 35% more article engagement, and • 20% increased ad attention. In this ebook, uncover why supporting journalism is essential for both brands and society. Download now >> https://hubs.li/Q02SdWZ90 #qualityjournalism #journalism #traditionalnews #outcomes #attention #media #elections #news #currentevents #democracy #political

In a resounding victory for CNN-News18, the channel has emerged as the undisputed leader in the English news genre on the critical Counting Day of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.... Read More At:- https://lnkd.in/gtzy85Ki CNN-News18 #channel #EnglishNews #countingday #LokSabhaElection2024 #CNNNews18 #news #NewsUpdate #newsfeed #dailynews #IBWNews

As the European elections approach, a recent Eurobarometer survey reveals a surge in voter engagement, with 71% of EU citizens likely to vote—a 10-point increase from 2019. Despite rising euroscepticism, the uptick in projected turnout is attributed to growing global instability, with 81% of respondents highlighting the increasing importance of voting in the current international context. Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, and Germany lead in voter likelihood, while Bulgaria sees a notable decrease in voter interest. ✍️ Report by Elisa Cardillo

With the election coming up I've been really thinking about the roles of media in connection to elections. Media, specifically journalism, is integral to campaigns/election, not only due to news coverage, but in terms of moderating debates as well. This a podcast I listened too, that analyzes the supposed role of media in combination with the reality of what journalism actually looks like today. https://lnkd.in/gb657iAh

When was the last time you tuned into your local news station? 📺 Or picked up a newspaper? 📰 Local news plays a crucial role in communities. It provides important information about immediate surroundings, such as local politics, weather forecasts, traffic conditions, and community events. Having access to this information makes it easier for community members to make informed decisions about daily life. Local outlets also cover stories that larger, national news outlets might ignore. Human interest stories, local sports coverage, and news about local businesses can foster a sense of shared identity and togetherness. Due to financial challenges, a lot of local news outlets have been disappearing at an alarming rate in recent years. They aren’t able to keep up and compete with larger, more well-known national outlets. Without the local news, however, residents will lose access to important information about their neighborhood, and local issues won’t get the attention they deserve. This could lead to lower levels of civic engagement, low political participation, and loss of community voices. Local news is the key to the health and vibrancy of our society, and its dying out is a serious issue that must be addressed. It’s important that we all understand the value of these outlets and support local journalism in whatever way we can. ❤️ The American Journalism Project offers an incredible list of articles and studies to further explore this topic: https://lnkd.in/eeXeaaVa #LocalNews #CivicEngagement #CommunityVoice

#DemocracyDay highlights the importance of trusted, fact-based news, especially during election season. For journalists covering the election, NAB is providing tools and discussion forums to share best practices. Read more ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/emFWcgjm

This #election year has shown that modern audiences want more than just updates on who’s winning each race. They crave a deeper connection with the coverage. Adopting audience-first strategies is essential for newsrooms aiming to become the go-to source for readers, especially during an election year. Here are some great examples: 📍 Live Blog on the 49 Project by DIE ZEIT: This initiative shared the experiences of 49 German citizens, representing the German population, in the run-up to the 2021 national elections. Sharing their personal stories helped participants and readers understand their own and others' perspectives on important issues. 📍 "Have Your Say: How is the Government Handling the Cost of Living Crisis?" by Stuff: This article connected readers to the coverage by asking for their opinions via polls and comments. 📍 Q&A Session with Experts by MDR MITTELDEUTSCHER RUNDFUNK: This session allowed readers to ask doctors questions about the COVID-19 pandemic in real time, offering clarity during uncertain times. For more insights from Naomi Owusu on rebuilding trust in election coverage, check out her interview with Media Makers Meet - Mx3: https://lnkd.in/e4Ttp3Nn Do you have any good examples of audience-first strategies in reporting? We'd love to hear from you in the comments!