Thanks to everyone who's been reading and sharing our brand new resources (below) so far!
Now it's time to share some findings from interviews we carried out about underrepresented communities and local news.
#NewsYouCanUse
Now it's time to share some findings from interviews we carried out about underrepresented communities and local news.
#NewsYouCanUse
As we outlined this morning, our Change the Story project ran for the first half of this year. You can read more about it here.
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thebureauinvestigates.com/blog/2020-03-0…
#NewsYouCanUse
thebureauinvestigates.com/blog/2020-03-0…
You can also read through the archives of the Change the Story email bulletin below.
But now we're going to share a piece of informal research the group worked on...
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us1.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=0592af…
But now we're going to share a piece of informal research the group worked on...
#NewsYouCanUse
us1.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=0592af…
Using deep listening, our group members went out into their communities to interview two people each.
This yielded 24hrs of rich data about how local news is serving (or not serving) communities up and down the country.
Here are some key themes which emerged:
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This yielded 24hrs of rich data about how local news is serving (or not serving) communities up and down the country.
Here are some key themes which emerged:
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HOLDING POWER TO ACCOUNT
Despite a clear desire amongst respondents to engage with local power structures and make change, many felt local news didn't facilitate this or adequately 'join the dots' when reporting on marginalised communities.
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Despite a clear desire amongst respondents to engage with local power structures and make change, many felt local news didn't facilitate this or adequately 'join the dots' when reporting on marginalised communities.
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HOLDING POWER TO ACCOUNT
Some respondents also expressed a desire for more challenging interviews with local decision makers, suggesting that journalists aren't always motivated to interrogate or to dig deeper.
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Some respondents also expressed a desire for more challenging interviews with local decision makers, suggesting that journalists aren't always motivated to interrogate or to dig deeper.
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RELEVANCE
There was a feeling amongst interviewees that traditional news and media was for 'other people'. Many described tuning out and turning instead to social media or community forums that felt more relevant to their lives.
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There was a feeling amongst interviewees that traditional news and media was for 'other people'. Many described tuning out and turning instead to social media or community forums that felt more relevant to their lives.
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RELEVANCE
Crucially, the experience of different "identity" groups - e.g. queer, disabled, Muslim, Asian - and their perceptions of how relevant news was to them varied depending on where they were located geographically.
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Crucially, the experience of different "identity" groups - e.g. queer, disabled, Muslim, Asian - and their perceptions of how relevant news was to them varied depending on where they were located geographically.
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REPRESENTATION
There was a sense amongst many that people like them just weren't visible at all in local news, or that their stories simply weren't being told.
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There was a sense amongst many that people like them just weren't visible at all in local news, or that their stories simply weren't being told.
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REPRESENTATION
Where stories *were* told about their communities, many felt these often didn't include the voices of those most affected, or emerged from an attempt at diversity that didn't actually engage with diverse communities about what they wanted.
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Where stories *were* told about their communities, many felt these often didn't include the voices of those most affected, or emerged from an attempt at diversity that didn't actually engage with diverse communities about what they wanted.
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NEGATIVE NARRATIVES
Many respondents noted how representations of their communities were disproportionately negative, or focused on the extremes rather than authentic everyday lives people could relate to.
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Many respondents noted how representations of their communities were disproportionately negative, or focused on the extremes rather than authentic everyday lives people could relate to.
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NEGATIVE NARRATIVES
Some also told us they actually opposed increased visibility for their communities within the news, because of a fear that this would translate as more negative and unrepresentative stories.
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Some also told us they actually opposed increased visibility for their communities within the news, because of a fear that this would translate as more negative and unrepresentative stories.
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TRUST
Trust in journalists and the journalism industry was low amongst interviewees. There was a perception that journalists have pre-determined narratives and can twist or manipulate what you say to suit them.
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Trust in journalists and the journalism industry was low amongst interviewees. There was a perception that journalists have pre-determined narratives and can twist or manipulate what you say to suit them.
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TRUST
A binary view of journalists emerged, where they were seen as either intrepid and inspirational, or manipulative and corrupt. Lyra McKee, Anita Rani and Nick Davies were amongst those named as relatable and trustworthy.
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A binary view of journalists emerged, where they were seen as either intrepid and inspirational, or manipulative and corrupt. Lyra McKee, Anita Rani and Nick Davies were amongst those named as relatable and trustworthy.
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ACCESSIBILITY:
Some interviewees commented on the inaccessibility of traditional news formats for diverse audiences, stating that rigid formats and styles could make them tune out or look elsewhere for their news.
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Some interviewees commented on the inaccessibility of traditional news formats for diverse audiences, stating that rigid formats and styles could make them tune out or look elsewhere for their news.
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ACCESSIBILITY
Many also highlighted low levels of 'media literacy' within their communities, and the effects this could have on trust and the types of conversations emerging from news coverage.
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Many also highlighted low levels of 'media literacy' within their communities, and the effects this could have on trust and the types of conversations emerging from news coverage.
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CORONAVIRUS
Interviews were done remotely in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, and many reflected on how this had changed their relationship with local news as they sought out timely, relevant and local information.
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Interviews were done remotely in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, and many reflected on how this had changed their relationship with local news as they sought out timely, relevant and local information.
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CORONAVIRUS
Others expressed how coronavirus coverage had reinforced their beliefs about news, the types of stories that are told and who is or isn't represented.
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Others expressed how coronavirus coverage had reinforced their beliefs about news, the types of stories that are told and who is or isn't represented.
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POSITIVE FUTURES
Ultimately, alongside negative feelings, many respondents also still had faith and optimism about the possibility of a better future for local news. Some highlighted the role 'everyday' people can play in documenting their own communities.
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Ultimately, alongside negative feelings, many respondents also still had faith and optimism about the possibility of a better future for local news. Some highlighted the role 'everyday' people can play in documenting their own communities.
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POSITIVE FUTURES
They also spoke to the role that positive, constructive journalism can play in community building and providing a well-rounded view of a community - and in keeping people engaged in the face of so much negativity and bad news.
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They also spoke to the role that positive, constructive journalism can play in community building and providing a well-rounded view of a community - and in keeping people engaged in the face of so much negativity and bad news.
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You can read the report in full, and also access our open resources - which we hope can be part of imagining solutions to some of the issues we’ve detailed above - here:
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drive.google.com/file/d/1k7-Bps…
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drive.google.com/file/d/1k7-Bps…
We have to be realistic and pragmatic about the huge problems of representation, relevance and trust that exist - but also ready to make radical, collective moves to address these.
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#NewsYouCanUse
Huge thanks to everyone who came with us on this journey, including @AliAbdi_, @AmberAkaunu, @JournoIsaac, @ItsCharacter, @nicolajbrowne, @rhiannonwhite84, @RobynVinter, @RuthBushi, @sararsreis, @SidlingBears, @ShaunaReports, and @VicParsons_
#NewsYouCanUse
#NewsYouCanUse
