Covering political violence and violent extremism can be a fraught endeavor for the media. In an environment of polarization, social tension, and widespread misinformation, it is essential but also challenging to avoid inadvertently spreading false narratives, fueling conflict, or providing platforms to extremists.
Each guide includes core principles, key questions reporters and editors can ask to guide coverage, examples of thoughtful coverage from a range of outlets, and links to additional resources on conflict sensitive reporting.
Media Guides
Headlines and images have an outsized impact on how readers interpret events. Many readers will encounter coverage of contentious issues or violent events principally (or even exclusively) via its framing through headlines, images, and/or social media content.
Protests and demonstrations can present newsrooms with unique challenges. Media coverage can inadvertently spread false narratives, deepen divisions, platform extremists, or create a narrative of widespread chaos or violence — all of which can be used to escalate violence by extremists or justify crackdowns by governments. Reporting in line with best practices can help to mitigate these risks.
Covering violence against a political leader, candidate for political office, or other public figure presents newsrooms with unique challenges. Media coverage of the event can inadvertently spread false narratives, exacerbate tensions, escalate violence by extremists or justify crackdowns by governments. It can also chill participation in public life. Reporting in line with best practices can help to mitigate these risks.
Reporting on politicians who use violent or incendiary rhetoric can present newsrooms with unique challenges. Media coverage can inadvertently play into the goals of such rhetoric by platforming it and broadening its audience — all of which can be used to spread false narratives and escalate tensions. Reporting in line with best practices can help to mitigate these risks.
Covering violent extremist groups or movements presents newsrooms with clear challenges. Media coverage can inadvertently provide them a platform to amplify their messages, recruit new followers, spread false narratives, or fuel hate and conflict. Reporting in line with best practices can help to mitigate these risks.
Covering election-related violence presents newsrooms with unique challenges. Media coverage can inadvertently amplify fear, chill public participation, play into extremists’ hands, or justify government crackdowns. Reporting in line with best practices can help mitigate these risks.
Covering threats to public officials must be done with care to prevent further harm to those targeted and their communities. Coverage can inadvertently expose officials to further threats, misrepresent trends, or reduce public confidence in elections. Reporting in line with best practices can help to mitigate these risks.
The United States has a history of political violence where the perpetrators were themselves or were aided by law enforcement or security forces. Such episodes have always run contrary to our democratic ideals. Today, covering instances of political violence involving government actors remains challenging. Reporting in line with best practices can help mitigate these risks.
