How to Report on People with Extreme Views

As we gear up for the tumultuous 2024 election season, journalists across the nation find themselves facing unprecedented challenges in covering their communities.

The journalism realm is now more complex than ever before given a pressure cooker environment with protests teeming with individuals predicting a civil war and seemingly mundane school board races now morphing into battlegrounds for the nation’s moral direction. Political extremism presents journalists with major problems such as the danger of amplifying hateful rhetoric and spreading disinformation that threatens democracy.

In order to navigate around these pitfalls, here are some ways journalists can approach coverage of extremist viewpoints.

Knowing Where to Put the Focus

Journalists can ensure their pieces will avoid causing harm by focusing on the narratives concerning the communities targeted by extremism as opposed to the extremists themselves. It is a necessity to contextualize extremist events and steer clear of sensational reporting that gives the impression that the events are episodic. Some news coverage focuses on the most fatal attacks without highlighting what drove them and this only perpetuates blind fear since the “why” is not known to the reader. It is crucial to recognize the impact of radical conspiracies on local communities. The best course of action is to engage in early discussions with editors regarding the goals of the stories and whose narrative is being promoted.

Moving Beyond Amplification

In regard to covering extremist-related stories, technique is paramount. Seyward Darby, who wrote Sisters in Hate, a book about women in the white nationalist movement, summed this up by saying that hate coverage is about “shining a light, but positioning the light in the right way.” Some question whether they should just abstain from this type of coverage altogether, fearing that media attention provides a platform for hate groups and might potentially aid in recruitment, but this is not the course of action a journalist should take.

Darby emphasized that without a well-positioned spotlight from mainstream media, extremist ideologies may grow rapidly unchecked. To avoid unintentional amplification, journalists can delve into the implications, motivations, and the communities the extremists attract rather than fixating solely on the content of false beliefs. Directly quoting the extremists should also be limited and only used with the proper amount of context. The balance in reporting on extremism lies in considering factors such as public benefit and potential harm.

Preparing for Backlash

Journalists may find that their reporting makes them a target for harassment from extremists. Even when attempting to debunk, it may not always be effective, as individuals with extremist views often perceive the world in stark absolutes, making it challenging for them to engage with evidence and navigate the complex mental processes involved.

The journalist cannot control the audience accessing the piece, and individuals may interpret the content literally, perceiving it as a call to action. To minimize the risk of doxxing and uphold journalistic integrity, it is crucial to take precautions such as protecting personal information and using discretion when dealing with extremist sources. By incorporating these strategies and staying alert to these challenges, journalists contribute to offering the public well-informed and nuanced perspectives, aiding them in navigating an increasingly polarized world.