We're at a point where people think a story didn't get coverage if the coverage didn't get good play. That's a different animal.
What's good play? Top story on a network newscast, high up on a home page, repeatedly tweeted or searched on social?
Algorithms throw everything off. You may write the world's best story on opioids or aviation safety. But a Kardashian or DJT will out-view you every time.
Start by finding journos/news organizations who are covering it. Then share it and talk about it. You can help a story get visibility, if you take an interest in it.
In the case of West Virginia teachers, I read stories about them every day this week. I cared because I'm a lecturer, a union member and I've been to WV.
Did I care whether WV teachers were on @nytimes front page? Nope. I just wanted the latest info. And, I got it from a bunch of places.
A story is still a story, whether it gets top play or not. We, the audience, make our own front pages. Maybe Hope Hicks is on yours and teachers are on mine. It's all news and it's all relevant.
To be sure, I am only talking about coverage, not activism. It's one thing if you just want info, another if you want an outcome. Then, play is important.
"I want to make sure people know about the WV teachers strike" is different from "I want the WV teachers to get the best possible deal."
