When Trump won in 2016, those in journalism circles wrung their hands. How had the media missed it? The field settled on an explanation: America's elite newsrooms had overlooked middle America and neglected rural areas. Journalists misunderstood the zeitgeist. Listening became the new mantra.
This time around, something different is in the air. Instead of calling for journalists to listen to the public, journalists are asking: Why didn't America listen to us? Platforms deprioritized news, the public avoided it, and partisan influencers captivated people's attention.
To meet the moment, journalism needs to meet people where they are. Newsrooms need to consider why people aren't listening and then alter their behavior. They can take a page from what we know about why people don't listen to each other.
In looking toward the year ahead, I predict that 2025 will reward newsrooms that act, as opposed to merely listen.
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