Trusting News director Joy Mayer recently shared this post from a Facebook group she’s a part of, where someone suggested a local news station should lose its broadcast license for running a specific political ad. In the comments under the post, people said the newsroom should be sued for making false statements and accused them […]
Author: Mollie Muchna
Use this guide for responsible coverage of pro-Palestinian communities
Hearken released a thoughtful guide on how journalists can cover pro-Palestine communities more responsibly
How journalists can reach beyond political junkies
Many people avoid the news, especially political news. Here are three strategies for how journalists can combat this.
Be loud about mistakes — and how you correct them
Recently a journalist asked for advice on how they could’ve handled what they deemed a pretty major correction for their news outlet. The journalist had quickly corrected the mistake, but they were curious about best practices for being transparent in alerting their audience to the correction. Specifically, since the mistake was corrected quickly, how obvious […]
Journalists, talk about the lens you bring to reporting
Journalists go to great lengths to eliminate any semblance of bias. This often entails taking precautions like not sharing too many personal details online or with sources. But of course, who we are as people affects how we do journalism — whether we’re talking openly about it or not. Our values, experiences, ethics, and surroundings all influence […]
Act on on Reuters latest trust research in these 3 ways
New research from the annual Reuters Digital News Report highlights factors that influence people’s trust in news. According to the report, transparency and fairly reflecting communities in coverage are critical when it comes to being seen as a trusted news source. The study focused on eight specific factors known to affect trust, chosen by Reuters […]
Talk about your shrinking staff
Recent research released by Pew confirms that many people do not understand the financial crisis that local news is in. The survey found that most adults (63%) think their local news outlets are doing “very well or somewhat well” financially. This, of course, is far from our reality as journalists. (We all remember the bleak […]
Journalists, address misinformation head-on
At Trusting News, we’re often asked how journalists should handle misinformation. This is not surprising, given how both the public and journalists agree it’s a major issue. But research shows that as much as journalists think it’s a problem, they rarely address it in their reporting. (In this Pew study, two-thirds said almost none of […]
Adapt your products for news avoiders in three ways
Note: This is the third installment of a three-part newsletter series on News Avoidance. Read part one, Learn about news avoiders with this guide, and part two, Tell news avoiders these things about your journalism. As journalists, our news habits are not at all normal. We tend to be tuned in all the time. We […]
Tell news avoiders these things about your journalism
Note: This is the second installment of a three-part newsletter series on News Avoidance. Read part one, Learn about news avoiders with this guide, and part three, Adapt your products for news avoiders in three ways. News avoiders often don’t see their distance from news as a problem. Not only do they not feel like […]
Learn about news avoiders with this guide
Note: This is the first installment of a three-part newsletter series on News Avoidance. Read part two, Tell news avoiders these things about your journalism, and part three, Adapt your products for news avoiders in three ways. The more people tune the news out, noting that it doesn’t feel relevant or important for their lives, […]
Prioritize transparency in coverage of encampments, protests
Meet the cohort of newsrooms working to create an election coverage FAQ
Congratulations to the journalists who will be working alongside Trusting News to get on the record about the process that drive their elections coverage
How trustworthy is your newsroom? Use this audit to find out
We created a trust audit to help your newsroom assess and decide where you should be working to earn your community’s trust
Deadline extended! Apply now to create an Election FAQ with help from Trusting News
In this program, newsrooms will work alongside Trusting News staff and a cohort of newsrooms to create an election FAQ
Meet the cohort of newsrooms working to confront news avoidance
Congratulations to these 11 journalists who will work alongside Trusting News to better understand and address news avoidance
Copy PolitiFact’s approach to building trust with casual users
Something we remind newsrooms of often is that the majority of people who interact with your news are likely very casual news consumers who see just a small fraction of the work you do. You may be part of a mission-driven, ethical newsroom that regularly has internal discussions about how to provide fair, accurate coverage. But […]
Use viral photos as a chance to explain visuals
Lots of people question whether the images they see online are real or not. These concerns are not new, but with the rise of AI, this uncertainty around legitimacy has only increased. Just a few weeks ago, Kate Middleton’s altered family photo fanned major online conspiracies and a slew of misinformation about what was going on with the […]
Meet the newsrooms working to add transparency, corrections to daily coverage
Congratulations to these eight journalists who will work on either writing a corrections policy or inserting transparency into daily coverage
How journalists can better understand, confront news avoidance
We’re announcing a new opportunity for journalists to confront news avoidance this spring working alongside a cohort of newsrooms
Trusting News hosting webinar, cohort to help journalists confront news avoidance
We’re announcing two new opportunities for journalists to confront news avoidance this spring
Meet the 2024 Advancing Democracy newsrooms working to transform their political coverage
We’re excited to kick off another year of the Advancing Democracy fellowship, a virtual fellowship for newsrooms to transform their political and election coverage. More than 70 journalists across 20 newsrooms will participate in this nine-month fellowship. The fellowship is run in partnership with us at Trusting News along with Hearken and Solutions Journalism Network. […]
Applications open for Trusting News research cohorts on corrections, transparency
Journalists in the cohort will work to build trust alongside other newsrooms, researchers and Trusting News staff. Each journalist will receive a $250 stipend.
Trusting News’ 2024 priorities include AI, elections, news avoidance and newsroom echo chambers
Trusting News Director Joy Mayer trains a group of Koch Fellows at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Feb. 7, 2024. Photo by Gil Asakawa.
Replicate The NYT’s new staff bios with this guide
The New York Times is getting industry attention after announcing the rollout of their new staff bio pages, which they call “enhanced bios.” The accolades they are receiving are rightfully deserved: These bios do a great job of highlighting both the ethics and expertise of their journalists, as well as show the humanity and mission behind their […]
Counter news fatigue by explaining the value behind your journalism
This weekly Trust Tips newsletter shares quick, actionable tips for how journalists can earn and sustain trust. Subscribe to get it in your inbox at trustingnews.org/newsletter.
Use these checklists to start (or level up) your trust building
The start of a new year usually is accompanied by a slew of new priorities, KPIs and goals for newsrooms. On top of that, it’s an election year. We know there are many things (rightfully) demanding priority and your attention. As journalists who care about building trust but who might be feeling strapped for time, we want […]
How we worked alongside you to build trust this year
This weekly Trust Tips newsletter shares quick, actionable tips for how journalists can earn and sustain trust. Subscribe to get it in your inbox at trustingnews.org/newsletter.
Trust Tips 246: Make your reporting on guns less polarizing
This weekly Trust Tips newsletter shares quick, actionable tips for how journalists can earn and sustain trust. Subscribe to get it in your inbox at trustingnews.org/newsletter.
Trust Tips 244: Explain what sets your coverage apart with your “About Us” page
This weekly Trust Tips newsletter shares quick, actionable tips for how journalists can earn and sustain trust. Subscribe to get it in your inbox at trustingnews.org/newsletter.
How to engage and reach new audiences with postcards and snail mail
Listening is a crucial component when it comes to building new audiences. We have research that shows this, but it also makes sense: If journalists want to provide coverage that is relevant and useful to people they aren’t already effectively reaching, they have to first take the time to get a sense of what those people […]
Build trust by being real, right, objective and part of your community
When it comes to trust, local news organizations have been the bright spot for the journalism community as years of research and polling continue to show people trust in local news content more than national. For many people working in local news, that trend brings comfort, hope and sometimes makes the issue of building trust seem not […]
Step-by-step guide: How journalists can talk to people who don’t trust news (and build trust doing it)
If you’re a journalist wanting to reach more diverse audiences, especially audiences that have been historically ignored or underserved by your newsroom, a lot of that work starts with laying a foundation of trust. Without understanding the assumptions that have led to distrust and the roadblocks that exist in creating sustained relationships, it’s almost impossible for […]
Advice from journalists: Why we’ve invested in listening to people who don’t trust us
There’s no big secret when it comes to building new audiences. There’s no new beat or newsletter that can be created to undo decades of harm news organizations have caused to certain groups of people. And there’s no magic tool journalists can use that will automatically help them earn the trust of and reach their […]
Why the Keene Sentinel disabled commenting on certain Facebook posts
After noticing an uptick of inappropriate comments, personal attacks and misinformation on COVID-19-related Facebook posts, a team at the Keene Sentinel — James Rinker, the digital community engagement journalist, and Cecily Weisburgh, an executive editor — made the decision that it was time to disable comments on posts related to the pandemic.
How newsrooms can better explain (and sometimes edit) wire coverage while being transparent with their audiences
If you’re a journalist who has faced criticism about national coverage published in your new products but not produced by your journalists, you’re not alone. Far from it, actually. We regularly hear from local newsrooms frustrated and overwhelmed by complaints related to the wire coverage they publish. Some local newsrooms we work with have said […]
How listening to the community transformed this Charlotte newsroom
How Ju-Don Marshall and staff at WFAE in Charlotte have helped turn the station’s operations around to be an engagement-centered newsroom.
Seattle Times reporter Q&A accompanies investigative piece
WCPO reporter on wearing braids on TV
6am publishes plan for covering election
Grand News Source guiding principles
Capitol Times People’s Agendas
Colorado Sun ethics page
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel uses Instagram to explain shooting coverage
WITF box explaining late election results
Trust Tip #89: Prepare your audience for what to expect on Election Day (and beyond)
News Tribune editor responds to comments
Tennessean fact-checks local TV station
Fulcrum Voter FAQ
Chalkbeat Philadelphia asks for reader feedback
FiveThirtyEight’s disclaimer about polls
CPR’s guide for covering 2020 elections
News Tribune note about election coverage
PEN tip sheet for discussing misinformation
Austin Statesman’s contact page
WCPO asks viewers for candidates questions ahead of election
Green Bay Gazette letter to the editor process
Green Bay election guide
WCPO elections basics box
Colorado Sun explains approach to 2020 election coverage
Deseret News explains anonymous sources policy
Atlanta Journal-Constitution asks for public’s election questions
WCPO explains coverage decisions
Tulsa journalists defend their work
Trust Tip #86: Provide support (not anxiety) during elections
Trust Tip #83: Create an FAQ about your elections coverage
Trust Tip 82: If your coverage is nonpartisan, explain and defend that
Trust Tip 81: Help your audience consume polls responsibly
Rivard Report About Us page
AJC explains changes to election coverage
KBOO about page
WCPO explains how political advertising works
Trust Tip 80: Explain how political advertising works
Trust Tip 79: In negative feedback, look for opportunities
Crosscut transparent about trust, diversity efforts
Vox explains audience support program
NPR public editor on election misinformation in interview
Wirecutter explains removing outdated information
Trust Tip 77: Solicit (and answer) live questions about voting
Trust Tip 78: Help your users be smarter news consumers
Trust Tip 76: Take extra care when covering conspiracy theories (and tell your audience)
Trust Tips 75: Explain election basics
Trust Tip 74: Explain why a story is being done and encourage audience participation
Coloradoan explains bias toward facts
Community Impact Newspaper explains reporting process
Trust Tip 73: Learn how people perceive your election reporting
KING 5 anchors discuss inter-racial friendship
LAist provides synthesized information about coronavirus
Florida Today explains validity of SpaceX photo
WCPO shares station’s commitment to community
News 5 Cleveland explains why station doesn’t report scanner traffic
News 5 Cleveland explains breaking news policy
ProPublica explains decision behind publishing graphic video
PolitiFact explains fact-checking process
Indiana Daily Student explains protest photo policy
WCPO responds to viewer complains on air
Philadelphia inquirer owns up to headline mistake
KPRC asks for reader questions
Weather channel explains how ownership affects coverage
Guardian explains mission, asks for support
AJC explains approach to covering big story
AJC explains reporting process, context
WJXT4 explains reporting process, mission
Trust Tip #71: Acknowledge what you don’t know
NewsChannel 5 shows transparency admitting bias in Facebook posts
Philadelphia Inquirer explains newsroom processes
KPRC 2 responds to reader feedback
KPRC newsroom policy on President Trump press conferences
KPRC explains breaking news policy
Trust Tip #70: Acknowledge when you mess up
Trust Tip 69: Share your humanity while reporting on protests
Trust Tip 68: Do not neglect basic but vital pandemic information
WEWS combats misinformation about COVID-19 deaths
WLNS reporting on suicide
ProPublica transparency around fair news
Trust Tips 67: Demonstrate visual balance in political coverage
Atlanta Journal-Constitution on covering legislature
Guardian signposts older stories
Tennessean editorial board describes decision process
Coloradoan reporters share personal subscription pleas
WCPO on using Associated Press content
Atlanta Journal-Constitution on covering Georgia’s Legislature
Atlanta Journal Constitution front page
Herald and Review newsroom handout
USA TODAY policy graphic border photo
WCPO cuts back use of mugshots
Tamp Bay Times how this story was reported
Philadelphia Inquirer shares tips for finding trustworthy news
Day subscription plea during coronavirus
Vox support plea for explanatory journalism
Trust Tips 66: Show you’re part of your community during COVID-19
SF Chronicle reporting process explainer
SF Chronicle explain your process boxes, columns
Philadelphia Inquirer highlights breadth of journalism
Trust Tip 65: Help your audience navigate the news
Trust Tip 64: Disclose stimulus funds and explain the ethics involved
The Day asks community for support during COVID-19
WCPO explains how their COVID-19 coverage different from competitors
Spokesman-Review explains newsroom processes, ‘fake news’
WJXT4 explains beach visuals during COVID-19 aren’t altered
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel explains visuals aren’t altered
Trust Tips 63: Demonstrate that your visuals aren’t manipulated
San Fransisco Chronicle uses explain your process boxes
San Fransisco Chronicle explains endorsements
Malheur Enterprise explains reporting process
Malheur Enterprise asks for community support
Salem Reporter explains reporting process
PA Post explains story selection process
NPR publishes internal newsroom policies and ethics guidelines
Levittown Now explains reporting process
The Oklahoman explains reporting process, story selection
Globe and Mail adds explain your process boxes
Toronto Star explains news vs sponsored content
The Echo addresses possible conflict of interest
Pinckneyville Press asks community for support
Colorado Sun uses credibility indicators to increase transparency
Atlanta Journal-Constitution community support during COVID-19
San Fransisco Chronicle explains anonymous sources
How the San Fransisco Chronicle cover candidates
AJC focuses on solution-based opinion content during coronavirus
Fort Worth Star-Telegram paywall during COVID-19
Trust Tips 62: Tell your audience that COVID-19 information might change
If you let your readers in on your process, they might just surprise you
This post was written by Newsroom partner Jennifer Hefty. Most of us have heard the chorus. You know the one I’m talking about. “How could this article be so biased?” “How could they get x, y, and z so wrong?” “Why are these reporters insisting on dividing us instead of bringing us together?” “Clearly, these […]
Caller-Times explains coverage
NYTimes explains breaking news during coronavirus pandemic
WEWS coronavirus explainer
Toronto Star adds trust ribbon to bottom of stories
Reporter shows breadth of journalism on Twitter
Toronto Star tweets out corrections
WTXL shuts down mugshots page
Toronto Star creates new labels for opinion content
Torstar posts standards guide
NPR’s developing story disclaimer
NPR creates searchable ethics handbook
NPR creates accuracy checklist for reporters
NPR changes design for labeling opinion stories
Globe and Mail’s policy for anonymous sources
Philadelphia Inquirer labeling opinion content
Herald and Review uses Twitter thread to highlight best journalism
Globe and Mail form for errors, corrections
Globe and Mail shares Editorial Code of Conduct
Cronkite Student Media gives users behind-the-scenes look
NPR explains non-pandemic related investigation
KVRR brings on expert to answer user’s questions about COVID-19
Buzzfeed shares mission with coronavirus coverage
Trust Tip 61: Do these four things right now to show you are trustworthy
Atlanta Journal Constitution explains COVID-19 coverage
Trust Tip 60: Don’t let political squabbles dominate COVID-19 coverage
Tampa Bay Times explains how coronavirus affecting paper’s bottom line
CalMatters asks for reader feedback during coronavirus outbreak
Atlanta Journal Constitution shares approach to coronavirus coverage
WCPO shows breadth of journalism with Acts of Kindness series
Arizona Daily Star explains how COVID-19 coverage affects bottom line
Coloradoan explains missions, goals with COVID-19 coverage
Virginian-Pilot highlights solutions, community resources during coronavirus outbreak
Tennessean adapts coverage during COVID-19 pandemic
Daily Telegraph gives answers reader questions during coronavirus outbreak
Guardian adds editor’s note about how newsroom covering coronavirus
Bozeman Chronicle explains changes during COVID-19 outbreak
WPCO adapts coverage, production during coronavirus outbreak
Atlanta Journal Constitution explains how coverage adapting during coronavirus outbreak
National Geographic combats spread of “fake news”
Trust Tip: Tell your audience you won’t tolerate misinformation
Trust Tip: Engage on social media during COVID-19
Bangor Daily News shares mission, goal for coronavius coverage
Columbia Dispatch shares mission surrounding coronavirus coverage
WCPO share goals, mission surrounding coronavirus coverage
Coloradoan comment moderation during Coronavirus outbreak
The Coloradoan moderation during Coronavirus outbreak
The Day explains why Coronavirus coverage is free
San Fransisco Chronicle talks to subscribers about covering Coronavirus
Coloradoan explains Coronavirus reporting approach
NBC asks questions, shows reporters are real people too during COVID-19 outbreak
San Fransisco Chronicle uses bot to reach users during Coronavirus outbreak
WCPO explains reporting process during Coronavirus pandemic
Christian Science Monitor asks for audience feedback during COVID-19 outbreak
WCPO explains changes to newsgathering with coronavirus
WMAR explains Coronavirus reporting process, asks for feedback
WEWS explains Coronavirus coverage
NPR discloses financial support
NPR adds ownership disclosure
Seattle Times comment policy
Coloradoan shares mission during Coronavirus outbreak
Caller-Times shares mission, goals, process
Coloradoan shares funding breakdown
Trust Tip 56: With coronavirus coverage, make your purpose clear
Here’s what a newsroom survey reveals about the public’s confusion, frustration and trust
How one newsroom’s audience survey revealed public misunderstandings, frustrations, and curiosity about the newspaper.
Trust Tip 55: Use a survey to solicit questions and feedback
Trust Tips 54: Create a “Contact Us” page
Trust Tips 53: Share your ethics and corrections policies
Trust Tip 52: Share your history, mission and values
Trust Tip 51: Let’s create an effective “About Us” page
Trust Tip 50: Use research to persuade colleagues to invest in earning trust
Trust Tips 49: Explain that some journalists are biased on purpose
Trust Tip 48: Equip journalists to respond to attacks on their credibility
Burlington Free Press explains anonymous sources
Entercom shares mission statement, core principles with audience
Michigan Public Radio contact us page
Christian Science Monitor responds to readers
Corpus Christi Caller-Times uses editor’s note for transparency with opinion piece
Trust Tip #47: Tell your audience what you think of “fake news”
Trust Tip 46: Build transparency into investigative pieces
Trust Tip 45: Show how your staff covers big news
KPCC/LAIST ‘How we’re reporting on this’
The Day newsroom process
Tennessean shows community investment
Michigan Daily’s anonymous source policy
Science News newsroom process
Gazette content removal policy
Lenoir News-Topic’s social media policy
Annenberg Media’s full disclosure series explains newsroom processes
Annenberg Media explains anonymous sources
KPRC crime guidelines
Trust Tip 44: Use newsletter A/B testing to test trust strategies
KPRC posts reporter bios
EIND explains Associated Press content
Sarasota Herald-Tribune explains paywall
KPCC/LAist publishes reporter mission statements
WPCO reminds viewers that reporters are people too
USA TODAY responds to reader feedback
The State shares guide when reporting on suicide
State News invites public to join the conversation
Caller Times explains opinion vs. news content
WCPO explains its coverage of presidential candidates
State highlights reader responses
Trust Tip 42: Remind your audience news is more than politics and crime
Caller Times labels opinion, watchdog content
Grady Newsource publicly posts guiding principles, ethics policy
The Day explains commitment to community through in-person event
Explaining mission, purpose on subscription page
Trust Tip 41: Have a clear policy about unpublishing stories
Trust Tip 40: Explain where opinion content comes from
Trust Tip 39: Use plain English in your disclosure statements
Trust Tip 38: Invest in getting buy-in from your newsroom
Trust Tip 37: Invite people into the newsroom
Trust Tip 36: Focus on the audience members who *aren’t* yelling at you
Trust Tip 35: Make your contact information truly accessible
Trust Tip 34: Explain your role as a watchdog