What Journalism Is...
Good News, Bad News: Special Edition for September 9, 2024. With 57 days left until Election Day we need political coverage that uplifts and defends democracy.
This article is part of U.S. Democracy Day, a nationwide collaborative on Sept. 15, the International Day of Democracy, in which news organizations cover how democracy works and the threats it faces. Several of the hyperlinks below point to the submissions of other Democracy Day participants. To learn more, visit usdemocracyday.org.
Mark Jacob Told Us What Journalism Isn’t, But What Does Great Journalism Look Like?
Last week, former Chicago Tribune editor and brilliant media critic Mark Jacob issued a series of insightful press admonitions for his Stop the Presses Substack. The post was a clear-eyed litany of phrases each beginning with the words, “Journalism isn’t…,” such as: “Journalism isn’t inviting proven liars to come on your TV show and lie to your audience, and then thanking them for it.” You can see the whole list here.
We were overjoyed to see significant overlap between Mr. Jacob’s 32 examples of what journalism shouldn’t be and our 18 guidelines urging newsrooms to adopt pro-democracy practices for their election coverage. For instance, our guideline “Don’t platform liars or act as stenographers for strategic MAGA lies” aligns perfectly with the example above.
As I outlined in my last column, there is a growing chorus of critics and current and former journalists pointing out all the things major news organizations are getting wrong. We need all those voices, and yours, to convince newsrooms to become the partisans for democracy that this moment demands.
Jacob inspired MAD to reflect upon all the great journalism that is already uplifting democracy across the country. So, what about a list of what journalism is? The list below is full of links to great examples of pro-democracy journalism. Here goes…
Journalism is the life-blood of democracy.
Journalism is treating elections like they matter more than sports scores.
Journalism is getting candidates to respond to a Citizen’s Agenda.
Journalism is prioritizing substantive coverage of the issues that matter to voters’ lives.
Journalism is making threats to democracy clear.
Journalism is encouraging voter participation by serving as a comprehensive resource for essential voter information.
Journalism is providing context to complex and emotional issues.
Journalism is protecting Americans from disinformation.
Journalism is courageous.
Journalism is nailing down facts to arrive at truth.
Journalism is local.
Journalism is exposing fraud, waste and corruption.
Journalism is helping the public understand.
Journalism is calling out false equivalence and sane-washing.
Journalism is accurate, informative headlines.
Journalism is holding politicians to account for their statements and behavior.
Journalism is explaining ballot measures.
Journalism is moral.
Journalism is complicated.
Journalism is celebrating and uplifting election workers, voters, and the electoral process.
Journalism is exposing threats of violence against election workers.
Journalism is making a distinction between traditional and fascist candidates.
Journalism is community.
Journalism is calling out lies and bad behavior in every piece of reporting.
Journalism is including a public figure’s history of election lying when quoting them.
Journalism calls out bigotry.
Journalism is inclusive.
Journalism is revealing who is spending dark money and what they hope to achieve.
Journalism is fearless and stands up to bullies.
Journalism is honest.
Journalism is inspiring.
Journalism is plain-speaking.
Journalism is patriotic.
Journalism is needed now more than ever.
What do you think is great journalism? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Extra Credit: Pro-Democracy Quote Of The Week
Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. Ethical journalism strives to ensure the free exchange of information that is accurate, fair and thorough. An ethical journalist acts with integrity.
- Preamble to The Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics
Democracy’s Survival Requires That Newsrooms Reset to Focus on What’s at Stake
You can be part of the solution. We’re attaching our pro-democracy guidelines to an open letter for you to sign on to. This letter will be distributed to the leadership of all major news organizations. The guidelines serve as a model of what pro-democracy election coverage can—and should—look like. Signing our letter ensures that your frustrations with media’s failure to stand up for American democracy will be heard loud and clear.
Help others advocate for positive change. Share the letter and guidelines with friends, civic organizations, and everyone who cares about the future of America. Ask them to sign on. Demanding better media is an action we must all take.
Tired of paying for corporate media that doesn’t stand up for democracy? Redirect those funds to quality local journalism. Use our Local Journalism Directory to find an outlet and subscribe.
How about factual?
Journalism is the search for truth in real time.