The Election SOS newsletter is a dedicated resource for journalists covering the 2020 election. Here, we update you on our upcoming programming, share our favorite election-related stories, and provide critical resources to help with your coverage as we move closer to November.
How to Cover Conflict
Investigative journalist Amanda Ripley and Carnegie fellow Rachel Kleinfeld have put together a comprehensive guidebook ahead of the Nov. 3 election with 10 concrete lessons US journalists can learn from international reporters to serve the public better.
"Unprecedented elections." You are likely tired of hearing that phrase, but newsrooms need to be prepared for unexpected challenges before, during, or after the election. Use this customizable guide filled with resources from Election SOS as your strategic plan. Don't forget to share with your colleagues.
If you are looking to build an audience-first voter guide, or improve what you've already made and need help finding resources and fresh ideas, sign up for our free five-day self-paced email course.
We have so many relevant trainings for you in October! Explore and sign up for our upcoming workshops.
Free and open to your colleagues, too. Spread the word!
How to Support Staff Facing Online Abuse: Best Practices for Editors and Managers
Join newsroom leaders, Donte Stewart, formerly Senior Director of Security at Vox Media, Jason Reich, Vice President of Corporate Security at The New York Times, Kristin Neubauer, Producer and Global Coordinator of Peer Support Network at Reuters, and Viktorya Vilk, Program Director for Digital Safety and Free Expression at PEN America to learn strategies for protecting and supporting staff facing online abuse, which disproportionately impacts women, LGBTQ+ and/or BIPOC journalists.
Join Dr. Michelle Ferrier, a digital content architect with 30 years of experience in media entrepreneurship and a founder of Troll-busters.com, for a conversation on how journalists can understand their digital footprint and how attacks can erode credibility. Note: this is a special webinar that must be attended live-only - it will not be posted to the site afterward.
SJN rolled out a project to introduce journalists to the techniques and strategies used by conflict mediators and hostage negotiators that can enhance their reporting on polarizing issues. Their Complicating the Narratives workshops can be a powerful antidote to exhaustive election coverage focused on polls, policy battles, and what politicians said or Tweeted. Join this 90-minute webinar to learn strategies that can be used now and long after the 2020 election season.
Our pitch database is here to provide you with fresh story ideas every day! Spread the word and bookmark the page to always have great audience-first ideas at your editorial meetings.
For some, the phrase "voter suppression" may invoke images of protesting crowds, like those at early voting sites in Virginia last month, or other forms of harassment. Indeed, Trump's calls for supporters to watch over the voting process on Election Day have voting rights activists worried the groups' actions could quickly turn to intimidation, according to the New York Times. But while voter suppression can include such overt forms of intimidation, in practice, it can also be a bit more nuanced and subtle. Broadly, voter suppression is any hurdle that prevents an eligible citizen from casting their vote.
Some states begin this work weeks in advance, and others are only allowed to begin on Election Day. States that start early may have a lot more results counted by election night. The New York Times's guide aimed to answer voters' questions, including: How quickly will ballots be counted in the presidential election? Which states will have results — and possibly a winner — on election night?
Covering the 2020 elections are a challenge for reporters: unfortunately, some stories are used to amplify disinformation about voting or the election process. The guide offers seven key tips for journalists on how to report responsibly and cover the election without harming voters with disinformation.
A new working paper from Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society, analyzed 55,000 news stories, five million tweets, and 75,000 public Facebook posts. They found that misinformation is coming from inside the house, and mainstream media is spreading it.
Voting rights lawsuits are up 82% since 2016. Covering voting rights lawsuits is vital to help your audience navigate the voting process. Read on to learn why it matters, how you can cover it, and examples from other newsrooms.
In this workshop, Rachel Brown, Over Zero Founder and Executive Director, dives into everything journalists should know surrounding election violence. Watch to learn how the media influences conflict dynamics, and why you should get into specifics when reporting on election processes.
In this webinar, Liz Howard, senior counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice, provides an overview of election day/night tabulation and discusses the reporting processes on election night.
A project of More in Common, Democracy for President empowers Americans with cutting-edge data and unbiased information on the electoral process to foster civic engagement. Their goal is to provide the resources to spark conversations and address shared concerns about the state of our democracy.
Election SOS Switchboard
Do you want to connect with other journalists covering elections to get tips, ideas, and share your insights? Then take 2 minutes right now and sign up for theElection SOS Switchboard. Did we mention that Hearken Consulting Team is also available to answer your questions?
