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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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.
Navigating conflict
Conflict is often an emotional state as much as difference of opinions. Resolving it is not possible if all parties don’t feel seen or heard.
Making space for grief
Grief is not just a personal loss; it can also be part of the civic infrastructure. It allows journalists to explore the question: How can we create the kinds of gatherings that provide a safe place for vulnerable stories and grief?
Read the room — and react to it
This conversation underscored how gathering is a relational practice that, when done attentively, leads to more relevant and responsive community engagement. And that, in turn, leads to storytelling that more meaningfully reflects the communities we listen to and serve.
