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 […]
Newsletter
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, […]
Don’t let your CMS be a hindrance to adding transparency
Yes, plug-ins may make it easier — but not having them shouldn’t stop you from working to build trust.
Prioritize transparency in coverage of encampments, protests
Copy these 5 things from Capital B’s and WITF’s election FAQs
Journalists, get inspired by how these two local newsrooms are inviting accountability and transparency into their elections coverage.
Add transparency on air in these 4 ways
More people get news from TV than from radio or print. And when it comes to access to news across diverse communities, it’s also true that local TV is more preferred by people of color in the U.S. than newspapers or digital-first local news. It’s free, and it’s widely available. Thanks to research, we know TV newsrooms can […]
Use video to explain ballot initiatives and candidate viewpoints
Think about the election reporting you produce or consume. It probably contains information about a ballot initiative or a candidate’s views on a topic, but do you ever notice how those explanations are often woven throughout stories? They’re sandwiched between quotes and part of a larger narrative we’re telling. That’s not always bad, of course. […]
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 […]
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
How newsrooms can use a checklist to avoid polarization in political coverage
Some of these Advancing Democracy newsrooms used the checklist while covering the election and politics in late 2023. The journalists were asked to take notes on which stories they used the checklist for and answer questions about any changes they made related to sourcing, language (in the story and headline) and story framing.
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 […]
Explain your election coverage goals with a mission statement and FAQ 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.
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.
Ask your colleagues to weigh in on your stories
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 247: Ask your audience what type of climate coverage would be most useful
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 245: How to build trust in your coverage of conflict and war
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.
