Elections provide media outlets a unique opportunity to engage their audience in the democratic process. But simply posting updates on political campaigns isn’t enough, according to the Solutions Journalism Network and Trusting News organisation. In this webinar, Stefan ten Teije, Lynn Walsh and Jaisal Noor will share their insights about how to create election coverage that matters.

Solutions journalism is gaining momentum. Its aim is to help people understand their role in complex issues and identify opportunities for change. The User Needs Model 2.0 can be enormously beneficial in executing this approach, particularly with the user needs Help me and Connect me on the action-driven axle. During the webinar, smartocto will demonstrate how audiences respond to this type of content.

────────────────────────────────────────────────

This webinar has taken place, watch the recording of the session⤵

────────────────────────────────────────────────

Not the odds, but the stakes

Looking at the polarised political debate in the United States, it's evident that the media often thinks that by covering rallies, campaign ads, and other political statements it is doing enough to serve its audience. When you combine these things with relentless polling analysis, news can quickly devolve into horse race journalism. By contrast, the search for tangible solutions to societal problems tends to be overlooked. The Jay Rosen quote above puts it perfectly: we need more about impact and much less reliance on what the latest polls say.

Here’s what you can expect from the webinar. We will…

  • Share data on stories that have inspired audiences to take action
  • Explain what a sentiment analysis is and how it can give insights about your election coverage
  • Showcase examples of excellent stories aimed at engaging the public in solving societal issues
  • Provide insights into solutions journalism: how it can strengthen reader engagement, with clear evidence of its impact
  • Discuss how solutions journalism can help improve trust in the media

Watch the webinar⤵

Our speakers

Lynn Walsh
Jaisal Noor
Stefan ten Teije
Lynn Walsh
Jaisal Noor
Stefan ten Teije
Lynn Walsh
Jaisal Noor
Stefan ten Teije
 

Assistant Director @ Trusting News

Lynn is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has worked in investigative journalism at the national level and locally in California, Ohio, Texas and Florida. She is the former Ethics Chair for the Society of Professional Journalists and a past national president for the organization. Based in San Diego, Lynn is also an adjunct professor and freelance journalist.

Democracy Cohort Manager @ the Solutions Journalism Network

Jaisal leads the Advancing Democracy Fellowship, helping newsrooms reinvent the way they cover politics, including deepening their election coverage beyond the horse race. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park. Over the past decade, Jaisal has reported for Democracy Now!, The Atlantic, Bolts Magazine, The Real News Network and Baltimore Beat.

stefan colleague

Senior content editor @ smartocto

Stefan played a role in the research for the User Needs Model 2.0. Previously, he worked for various media outlets and served on the service journalism teams of the Netherlands' largest national newspaper (Algemeen Dagblad) and its biggest news website (NU.nl).

Assistant Director @ Trusting News

Lynn is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has worked in investigative journalism at the national level and locally in California, Ohio, Texas and Florida. She is the former Ethics Chair for the Society of Professional Journalists and a past national president for the organization. Based in San Diego, Lynn is also an adjunct professor and freelance journalist.

Democracy Cohort Manager @ the Solutions Journalism Network

Jaisal leads the Advancing Democracy Fellowship, helping newsrooms reinvent the way they cover politics, including deepening their election coverage beyond the horse race. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park. Over the past decade, Jaisal has reported for Democracy Now!, The Atlantic, Bolts Magazine, The Real News Network and Baltimore Beat.

stefan colleague

Senior content editor @ smartocto

Stefan played a role in the research for the User Needs Model 2.0. Previously, he worked for various media outlets and served on the service journalism teams of the Netherlands' largest national newspaper (Algemeen Dagblad) and its biggest news website (NU.nl).

Assistant Director @ Trusting News

Lynn is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has worked in investigative journalism at the national level and locally in California, Ohio, Texas and Florida. She is the former Ethics Chair for the Society of Professional Journalists and a past national president for the organization. Based in San Diego, Lynn is also an adjunct professor and freelance journalist.

Democracy Cohort Manager @ the Solutions Journalism Network

Jaisal leads the Advancing Democracy Fellowship, helping newsrooms reinvent the way they cover politics, including deepening their election coverage beyond the horse race. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park. Over the past decade, Jaisal has reported for Democracy Now!, The Atlantic, Bolts Magazine, The Real News Network and Baltimore Beat.

stefan colleague

Senior content editor @ smartocto

Stefan played a role in the research for the User Needs Model 2.0. Previously, he worked for various media outlets and served on the service journalism teams of the Netherlands' largest national newspaper (Algemeen Dagblad) and its biggest news website (NU.nl).

Watch the recording