Newsrooms aren't the most trusted sources of information, and it's time for journalists to take a different approach in gaining trust from readers. Their business depends on it.
Journalism professor at the University of Oregon and media researcher, Damian Radcliffe, shares how large and small newsrooms can regain reader trust.
As newspapers across the country dwindle and consolidate, they should report on unique stories, ones that readers wouldn't be able to find elsewhere. This differentiates your publication from the many newspapers that cover the same story from a wire service. For local papers, this could mean reporting stories that might be overlooked by competitor outlets.
Radcliffe also suggests showing the impact of your work. Reminding audiences the impact of stories will build a stronger relationship with readers and make them see the value of your newspaper. By explaining the benefits that come from your work, it reinforces the importance of journalism and makes people more willing to pay for it.
Newsrooms would also benefit from telling stories differently and revising previous stories. Reporters should write explanatory stories more often, ones that require more research and report on development over time. These kinds of stories help readers that don't keep up with events on a daily basis, and instead look at a story once and move on. With longitudinal stories, readers can understand development over time because of the contextual information the story requires to be understood.
For more tips on how your newspaper can rebuild trust and sustainability, click here.