Newsrooms across the country have been compelled to pivot their operations to cover the coronavirus crisis.
Our colleague Frank Mungeam here at the Knight-Cronkite News Lab recently joined 499 others for what may have been the largest journalism ‘conference’ in the coronavirus era.
“Taking Care of Journalists and Journalism,” hosted on March 23 by the Freedom Forum Institute, featured insights and recommendations from fifteen news industry leaders, moderated by Jill Geisler, Freedom Forum Fellow in Women’s Leadership.
Mungeam live-tweeted the virtual conference. We share here his top takeaways for newsroom leaders, and the entire session is also available at the Freedom Forum website for on-demand viewing.
Wow, 500 attendees for this virtual conference on “Taking Care of Journalism and Journalists” led by @JillGeisler and a power-packed panel. The need for both is real. Thank you @powershiftpro #FreedomForum pic.twitter.com/K7VKYCCs3G
— Frank Mungeam (@frankwords) March 23, 2020
Via @TraciSchweikert : News managers, remember we are NOT doctors. Let the medical professionals take the lead.
— Frank Mungeam (@frankwords) March 23, 2020
More from @TraciSchweikert: Now is not the time to ‘manage by email.’ Personal communication is key. Don’t assume you know what your people need. Ask: What do YOU need?
— Frank Mungeam (@frankwords) March 23, 2020
KWQC GM Sue Ramsett: We’re having our journalists work remotely, or onsite with social distancing. Need to lead by example and be a model for our audience.
— Frank Mungeam (@frankwords) March 23, 2020
Tracy Grant, WaPo: Keeping the communication lines open…doesn’t mean “slack and email.” She shared with permission Marty Barron’s note to newsroom leaders encouraging leaders and staff to take time for self, both physically and mentally.
— Frank Mungeam (@frankwords) March 23, 2020
A theme among these news leaders: It’s our duty to err on the side of caution (for example, in moving our news operations to remote/virtual); and to think in the long term. No one story is worth it.
— Frank Mungeam (@frankwords) March 23, 2020
Tracy Grant, WaPo: We will get past this. HOW we get past this, will determine how people view us in the long run. So listen carefully to your people. Ask: Could we do that interview remotely? Via skype? #coronavirus
— Frank Mungeam (@frankwords) March 23, 2020
Nick Davis, CBC: One reason it’s so critical to have diversity in our newsrooms is so that, in a situation like #Coronavirus coverage, we’re able to insure that all communities’ stories get told.
— Frank Mungeam (@frankwords) March 23, 2020
(side note – Live tweeting some of the great insights from this @powershiftpro webinar for journalists – because so many are so busy covering the #coronavirus story and can’t “attend”, but might be able to read later.)
— Frank Mungeam (@frankwords) March 23, 2020
Via Julie Moos, Natl Press Club Journalism Institute: Lessons so far include the importance of maintaining/establishing (remote) routines; that it’s both a marathon not a sprint, and in some ways a relay, with more collaboration across newsrooms.
— Frank Mungeam (@frankwords) March 23, 2020
Via @RachelSmolkin of CNN where remote digital workflow was already the norm: It’s the loss of contact that’s been the bigger disruptor; have moved much more to webex; has helped with creating sense of connection, reassuring.
— Frank Mungeam (@frankwords) March 23, 2020
Great point by Dan Shelley with @RTDNA: How are you checking in on your newsroom interns? For all of us who had an internship experience early in our careers, remember there’s really no precedent like this story. Be sure to connect with them and ask what they need.
— Frank Mungeam (@frankwords) March 23, 2020
More from Sue Ramsett: KWQC has put their sales team to work (since advertising is down) in the community in an effort to tell the stories of local businesses that ARE open, and how residents can support them. +1
— Frank Mungeam (@frankwords) March 23, 2020
Another important point panelists are making: Interns and early-career journalists are already under pressure to say YES to any and every assignment, as they try to build a career; it’s even more critical for news managers to insure they’re supported in making wise, safe choices.
— Frank Mungeam (@frankwords) March 23, 2020
And this work-from-home advice for remote journalism: 1) Set a routine 2) If possible create a separated “work” space 3) At the end of the day, close out work accounts – as much as possible.
— Frank Mungeam (@frankwords) March 23, 2020
Via Julie Moos: The importance of “celebrating” virtually. Sharing music, the virtual happy hour, even using stickers/emojis. Plus, some structure/consistency to the virtual space.
— Frank Mungeam (@frankwords) March 23, 2020
This crucial question: How avoid journalist burn-out? One answer: MODEL self-care. We as leaders can’t expect our reporters to take a break if WE are constantly online and messaging early and late.
— Frank Mungeam (@frankwords) March 23, 2020
On avoiding burn-out, @JillGeisler with this crucial point to ‘raise our gaze’ and think about how to approach coverage and people care with a long-term view, managing our coverage approach through the lens of: Can this be sustained over a period of many months to come?
— Frank Mungeam (@frankwords) March 23, 2020
Focus/sharpen your newsroom communication: @shirleycarswell notes that the volume of information is a challenge. How can leaders use subject line, bullets etc to highlight at the top of a message the critical points. Don’t ‘bury the lede’ in a two-page email.
— Frank Mungeam (@frankwords) March 23, 2020
Big thanks to all the pro’s who shared their expertise on this Covering Coronavirus webinar, with h/t to host @JillGeisler and @powershiftpro. Links, resources and (soon) recap at https://t.co/Zh54PVWjWE /end
— Frank Mungeam (@frankwords) March 23, 2020