Local TV News’ Big Election Day Test
BP Miller / @bp_miller via Unsplash
As Election Day approaches, local TV newsrooms face a pivotal opportunity to affirm their roles as pillars of factual, community-centered journalism. Amid an atmosphere rife with misinformation and political divisiveness, station news reporters have the chance to deliver election coverage that not only informs but also builds public trust — a responsibility that has become more urgent as skepticism toward traditional media grows.
A Demand for Trusted Information
Findings from the Pew Research Center highlight that while confidence in national media has waned, local media still commands a comparatively higher level of trust. This means local TV stations are uniquely well-placed to be sources of clarity in a confusing and contentious electoral landscape. With millions of voters having already cast their ballots, broadcasters might feel their role in this election cycle is waning. Yet, this is precisely the time for newsrooms to cement their reputations as reliable, unbiased sources by focusing on clear, fact-driven reporting that goes beyond merely relaying results.
Navigating Misinformation With Transparency
One of the primary threats facing journalism today is the social media-fueled wave of misinformation that can easily sway public opinion and cast doubt on the electoral process. According to a recent Columbia Journalism Review analysis, many viewers are concerned about misinformation affecting their local elections and want more from local stations in terms of fact-checking and myth-busting. A strategic approach would involve dedicated reporters at local Boards of Elections to provide live updates, explain how ballots are counted, and outline the steps that officials take to ensure accuracy.
By putting a spotlight on the process — right down to details like the verification methods used by local postmasters to ensure the safe delivery of mail-in ballots — newsrooms can help their audiences feel more secure about the integrity of the process. This transparency is vital, as simply debunking myths without clear, factual context can feel dismissive to audiences, risking further alienation and distrust.
Encouraging Civic Engagement Through Issue-Based Reporting
Local TV stations have the unique ability to engage with the voters they serve, addressing their concerns and amplifying their voices. As Nieman Lab points out, local journalism’s strength lies in its proximity to the issues that directly impact viewers’ daily lives. Talking to early voters, understanding what issues are at the forefront of their minds, and addressing these issues in broadcasts can create a stronger connection between the newsroom and its community. Local stations can then use this insight to frame their election coverage around community-driven concerns, rather than reducing it to a series of partisan squabbles or a gamified election night horse race call.
For example, rather than giving airtime to the latest candidate insults, newsrooms can invite local experts — educators, healthcare professionals, and policy analysts — to discuss how candidates' proposed policies could affect jobs, schools, and community resources. This shift toward substantive issue-based reporting doesn’t just inform; it empowers viewers to make more considered voting decisions.
The First Amendment As Guidepost For Responsible Coverage
In an era where even legitimate news stories can be politically contentious, maintaining editorial independence is essential. Newsrooms should take a strong stand for the First Amendment by reporting fearlessly, despite external economic or imagined regulatory pressures. Earlier this week, the Washington Post faced forceful backlash over its against-tradition decision not to endorse a presidential candidate, a move owner Jeff Bezos suggested was aimed at restoring public trust in news. However, critics (including the paper’s editorial board) argue that such neutrality is counterproductive if it means compromising on essential truths.
Local TV news stations must approach election coverage with a commitment to truth that serves the public good above all else. As threats to press freedom emerge — like in Florida where the governor threatens to prosecute stations for running pro-choice spots — newsrooms should remain steadfast in defending their right to report, free from intimidation. This election season, it is crucial for broadcasters to communicate the importance of free speech and impartial reporting as pillars of democracy.
Using Social Media To Reach New Audiences
With the Pew Center showing a substantial portion of Americans now getting their news digitally, social media is an essential tool for local stations. Newsrooms should ensure that social media strategies evolve beyond repurposing on-air content; instead, they should craft concise, accessible, fact-based posts specifically tailored for social/digital audiences. This helps prevent misinformation from proliferating in online spaces while expanding reach to younger audiences who, by and large, do not tune into televised news. Station newsroom production skills in creating bespoke original content for social platforms (each with its own creative idiosyncrasies) run the gamut from expert to beginner-level - but what better excuse to systematically elevate news reporting and production into these “new” environments in equal parallel to traditional linear TV output?
An Urgent Opportunity to Set a Standard
This Election Day is not just another reporting cycle — it’s a defining moment for local TV stations to demonstrate their unwavering dedication to accuracy and the public interest. By focusing on transparent, context-driven reporting and by championing (and exemplifying) press freedom, local newsrooms can reinforce their place as essential sources of community trust. When voters tune in next week, local broadcasters have the opportunity to show the nation that responsible, fact-based journalism is very much alive and capable of informing an engaged, active citizenry.
Local News To Peruse
Capturing Retail Media Network Growth in Local Television and Radio - Jack Myers [The Media Ecologist]
Free TV Could Be The Poison Pill In The Chicago Sports Network’s Impasse With Comcast — And A Deal May Take Awhile - Phil Thompson [Chicago Tribune]
Nexstar Media Group Buys WBNX Cleveland - Mark K. Miller [TVNewsCheck]
NFL Teams Could Stream Preseason Games As League ‘Considers’ Content Rule Changes - Ed Dixon [SportsPro]
AI Will Change Everything About Local TV News - Hank Price [TVNewsCheck]
