"In 2026, my prediction (and hope) is that the outlets that matter most to democracy move away from reflexive "gotcha" coverage of politicians and toward a practice that centers voters' lived experience, allows idealism back into the frame, and treats accountability as something deeper than a takedown. Learning to see through voters' eyes At least twice in my career, I have had to cover the unexpected rise of an Indian male politician."
"What we've discovered in the community-based reporting we do at Epicenter NYC is that usually the people being screwed already know they are being screwed. And so if someone calls us to report that the heat isn't working in public housing, for example, we strive to connect them to a solution - and then use that experience to zoom out and inform a broader community of their rights and remedies."
Journalism must rediscover surprise to sustain a functioning democracy. Outlets should move away from reflexive takedowns and center reporting on voters' lived experience, allowing idealism back into coverage while treating accountability as constructive. Reporters should slow down, unlearn assumptions, and see through voters' eyes to understand political appeal. Community-based reporting connects immediate problems to solutions and educates communities about rights and remedies. Social video and local engagement can reveal why people make certain choices and highlight everyday issues—such as housing—that serve as entry points to larger civic and policy failures.
Read at Nieman Lab
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