The Democratic National Convention is Coming Up: Here's How to Prepare
The upcoming U.S. presidential election will bring further polarization and turmoil to the surface, which many Americans view as a more intense reprise of the last election four years ago. Former President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt merely four days before the Republican National Convention occurred, highlighting one of the many ways this election process will differ from anything this country has experienced within our lifetime.
The Democratic National Convention will take place this coming week amidst ongoing pro-Palestine protests. It would be safe to assume there will also be large counter protests as well. Journalists will have an essential role to play when the DNC kicks off on August 19, providing updates on the proceedings and calling attention to the key issues at hand.
Getting Up to Speed on the Republican National Convention
Trump named Ohio Senator J.D. Vance his running mate during the Republican Convention last month. Trump gave the longest speech at a convention in American history, beating his previous record of 93 minutes at the 2016 RNC. He consistently went off script to take a jab at his political enemies while boasting about the strong economy as well as the absence of new foreign conflicts during his presidency. He criticized President Joe Biden’s administration’s handling of foreign policy, border security, and energy issues while making a point to only mention Biden by name a single time.
Capping the speech off, Trump mentioned the botched attempt on his life. He mentioned, “I’m not supposed to be here tonight,” to which the crowd chanted back, “Yes you are.”
What to Know About the Upcoming Democratic National Convention and How to Plan for It
The DNC will take place in Chicago from August 19-23 at the United Center. The venue will host the official proceedings, primetime programming, and speeches, while McCormick Place will handle official daytime party business, meetings, and briefings. Earlier this month, Vice President Kamala Harris picked Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate and raised $36 million in the first 24 hours after making the announcement.
Journalists must be aware of how this DNC process will differ. Biden has endorsed Harris as his replacement, though the decision will have to be officially codified at the DNC. Since Biden has stepped down, his delegates have become free agents because 12 states allow delegates to be released when a candidate withdraws.
In this case, delegates would engage in multiple rounds of voting until a new candidate secures a majority of the convention votes. Technically they are free to choose any candidate they wish, as there are no committee rules on how delegates should vote if their preferred candidate is ineligible.
Journalists can plan for the DNC by devising a strategy to make certain that their coverage will stand out and engage their newsroom’s audience. It’s also important to know the major issues that are likely to be discussed in addition to key figures. They should also get to know the internal dynamics that will be at play, assessing the opinions of party delegates and elected officials on the candidates, as well as their views on the party’s strategies and priorities.
As always, misinformation will be prevalent and journalists need to pick and choose which false claims are worth knocking down, because there will be more than any reporter can fully address. Ultimately, journalists need to prioritize their safety above all else, preparing for the list of possible scenarios that may await them.
Tools and Resources for Journalists Covering the DNC
One way journalists can prepare for the upcoming convention is to refer to guides, namely the Elections Reporting Toolkit and the U.S. Presidential Election 2024 Journalism Safety Kit. These guides help journalists sharpen their election reporting skills so that they can fire on all cylinders once the DNC has commenced.
The former toolkit gives journalists resources for covering elections while the latter helps them deal with the physical and digital risks that may come about while covering the U.S. election. Other resources include the 2024 Political Conventions Resources and Tips as well as A Mental Health Guide for Journalists Facing Online Violence, for journalists to ensure they stay safe while reporting during the event.
