Two Journalism Professors Contribute Tips for Covering Trump
A new article offering advice to journalists covering Donald Trump’s high-profile presidential campaign includes insights from two professors in the College of Media, Communication and Information.
Journalism professors and were interviewed for an article by Michael Wagner at the Center for Journalism Ethics at the University of Wisconsin.
Skewes, an expert in news practices, emphasized the need for reporters to interview outside experts when reporting on a candidate’s policy proposals. “The best way to cover Trump is by not talking to Trump,” she explained. “Talk to people who know him better, people who work with him and experts and other professionals who can analyze what he claims.”
Voakes, who specializes in the law and ethics of digital media, said he has been struck by the success of Trump—a political novice—in seizing the media narrative. However, he cautioned journalists not to mistake strong support for Trump on Twitter as a reflection of overall public opinion. “The danger in social media is to treat it and report it in a way that implies this is valid public opinion,” Voakes said.
at the Center for Journalism Ethics.