Useful insights for people advancing healthy, responsive and resilient news organizations.
The American Press Institute’s Need to Know newsletter offers media and journalism leaders analysis of the rapid changes in the journalism industry, a curated list of must-read stories and guidance on modernizing journalism editorial and business strategies.
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Developing a safety plan
Safety from digital attacks, physical harm and political violence requires preparation, and there are often patterns or signs that journalists and editors can recognize and plan for.
Prioritize your ballot and polling coverage
Covering election polls, for example, is no longer necessarily the default for local newsrooms. Below, we work through ways to reflect on your outlet’s poll coverage and how it engages your community.
Tackling misinformation and political labels
Planning ahead and carefully communicating facts can help build trust and prevent doubt or skepticism from community members about your elections reporting.
Use community listening to prioritize your election coverage
Resource-strapped newsrooms can’t offer comprehensive coverage on every person and issue up for a vote, but community listening can help you prioritize the topics that matter most to your audience — and decide what not to cover.
2026 elections season
Each week will offer a combination of frameworks to inspire new approaches to your election coverage and strategic suggestions you can put in place right away. Look for an idea that aligns with your organization’s mission or your community’s needs, and dig into resources to try it out.
Designing gatherings where everyone belongs
Belonging is more than feeling welcomed into a room — it is about being recognized as a full participant, with the agency to shape the meeting experience itself. It arises in tension with “othering,” and it prompts us to take into account who has been excluded, why and what systems made that possible.
