News and information to help journalists serve the public and stay safe.
June 12, 2020
Public opinion polling is a staple of political reporting. And campaigns love to second-guess them. So it wasn’t unusual for President Donald Trump to tweet his disapproval of a CNN poll this week that had him trailing Democatic opponent Joe Biden by 14 points.

What was different was the Trump campaign’s demand on Wednesday for a CNN apology and a letter from campaign lawyers calling the poll defamatory while urging CNN to cease and desist. CNN rejected the demand and stood by its poll.

But the dispute highlights the role polling plays in political coverage — and, particularly, in this election because Trump is an inveterate poll watcher. It seemed inevitable that in the nation’s sharply divided political environment, the public opinion industry would become a target as well.

“The whole industry is not immune from what spills over from the polarization that exists,” said Lee Miringoff (pictured) , the director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion at Marist College. “It goes with the turf.”

Marist did not conduct the CNN poll, but has carried out surveys with media partners including NBC and the Wall Street Journal in the past.

We interviewed Miringoff this week to get his insights about the current state of polling, the challenges it faces and how financial pressures could affect the frequency of polling during this election cycle.

What was your reaction upon hearing that a presidential campaign had sent a cease and desist letter to a news organization over the results of a poll? In your experience or knowledge, has this type of legal threat over a poll ever occurred?

Miringoff : The short answer is no.

The longer answer is, as they say, I'm old enough to remember 2012 …I was in the middle of polling for NBC and The Wall Street Journal in the battleground states and had Obama leading in Ohio , which, at the time, seemed somewhat blasphemous. And we took a lot of criticism. [Obama won Ohio.]

The whole industry is not immune from what spills over from the polarization that exists. … It comes with the turf.

Having said that, Donald Trump with his hundred plus tweets a day taking on CNN for a poll and then hiring (Republican pollster John) McLaughlin to substantiate his position is unusual. And threatening legal action … is part of the threat that he likes to put on to his charges. McLaughlin ’s response has a lot of questionable parts to it, in terms of substantiating the president’s position. A lot of quality pollsters would say that’s not valid.

In our scroll and skim culture, dynamic visuals can make the difference in whether a reader engages with a story. But not every story can attract a graphic design professional’s time in the newsroom, especially in the continuing pandemic news cycle. If you’re a reporter, editor, social media manager now handling (or who wants to handle) quick-turn graphics, get a head start with our hacks for designing visuals when it’s not usually part of your job. 

Beth Francesco , the National Press Club Journalism Institute’s senior director, will share best practices, tools you have at your disposal from home, and exercises for creating visuals regardless of your hands-on design experience.   Registration is open  
The handshake is a relic. So, perhaps, is the business card.

As in-person conferences and job fairs remain on pause, the art of networking has evolved. Remote connections are the new norm, and those who seek to make the most of the new reality also must adapt.

The big challenge is finding avenues to meet future collaborators, employers and employees virtually.

Kathryn Lucchesi , assistant professor at the Missouri School of Journalism, recommends bookmarking articles and connecting with their authors to raise your game and to meet like-minded people. 
 
“Research who worked on those stories,” she said. “Contact 8-10 sources and interview them about their career paths.” 
 
This provides not only a solid foundation to grow your network but an opportunity to learn about how other journalists work and their ambitions.
 
More than ever, people are looking to make authentic connections,” said Suzanne Alcantara , dean of student affairs for the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. “Warm introductions go a long way, and everyone has deep empathy for those looking for work during this pandemic.”

Michael Wong , director of career services at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, suggests tapping into your existing connections to schedule short Zoom chats. Start with former supervisors or professors, then ask them for others you could reach out to and discuss your career goals. Always end these conversations by requesting additional referrals. 
 
“Through this process, hustle and relationship-building exercise, your network will expand exponentially,” he said. “These networking prospects might be more inclined to help you through Zoom because you’re not asking for a lot of time. It’s safe, and most people want to help another person, especially someone who takes initiative and cares about his/her career.”

Learning is an essential step for any leader, and good leaders know that consistently leveling up allows them to be better allies for their team. Good leaders are proactive in their education and don’t expect their colleagues, especially those who are underrepresented, to teach them

Looking for a place to start? Try the Power Shift Book Club site , a list of curated books, podcasts and documentaries endorsed by leaders from throughout the country, or join Monday’s Workplace Integrity: Do You Qualify as an Ally? webinar. Remember: Leaders lean in to learning.

Advice from  Jill Geisler , Bill Plante Chair in Leadership & Media Integrity, Loyola University Chicago, Freedom Forum Fellow in Women’s Leadership
The National Press Club Journalism Institute is spotlighting the next generation of journalists , students graduating from college or Master’s programs this spring into a challenging job market , in hopes they’ll meet future bosses and colleagues here who will reach out and support them in building journalism’s future together. 

School : University of Oregon
Location : Eugene, OR
Student media : Daily Emerald , The Torch

What have you learned from your involvement with student media on your campus?

Morrison : Upon enrollment at the University of Oregon, I immediately joined the news desk at the award-winning Daily Emerald , UO’s paper of record. The office became a second home, and my writing found new meaning on the much larger campus. I wrote about the disproportionate amount of hate crimes happening in Eugene compared to the much larger city of Portland. I got to dig into the murky past of a local music venue taking on new ownership. I broke a story about a homegrown white nationalist attempting to sneak back into the local music scene after being outed as a racist and a bigot.

It’s also where I found my knack for editing and helping student journalists. I’m finishing my senior year as the managing editor of the Daily Emerald. I oversee content published online and in our weekly print editions. I help writers pick cover stories and assist them through the process of writing longer features. I write and edit breaking news throughout the week. I’ve had to learn how to put together a paper from the ground up. I know the basics of Adobe Indesign and am used to writing headlines and photo captions for stories on deadline. 
 
What have you learned from your internship experience(s)?

Morrison : In the summer of 2019, I traveled to Ghana for a six-week reporting internship at The Daily Guide, Accra’s largest independently owned newspaper. I learned how to work under pressure in environments where I’m not always comfortable. I contributed reporting to stories that tackled education reform and political corruption in Ghana. Seeing the way journalism was practiced in another part of the world has helped me understand the importance of journalistic ethics and unbiased reporting.

I’m also in the middle of a reporting internship with the Eugene Weekly. In March, my story " Begin Modeling ," became the most viewed story in the history of the Eugene Weekly's website. It told the story of a UO freshman who had been coerced and deceived into having sex on camera. In my reporting, it was revealed that my subject had been one of thousands of girls who had been tricked into sex trafficking through the Girls Do Porn website. The story went viral on Twitter and Facebook. I’m also focusing my time on breaking news and local business reporting. In October, I wrote about the Governor of Oregon’s failure to follow through on plans to address Oregon’s untreated addiction crisis

No plans this weekend? Head outdoors. 

Scientists agree that spending time outside has many positive benefits to physical and mental health. It can boost immunity , help mitigate risk of chronic illnesses, decrease stress, anxiety and depression, and improve creativity and memory. Sunlight exposure also can provide a daily dose of Vitamin D , which is crucial for bone health and immune function.

Here are some creative tips for taking your plans outside:

  • Get moving. Try going for a walk, run or bike ride in your neighborhood. If you live near water, paddle boarding or kayaking are also an option.
  • Plan a picnic. Prepare your favorite summer recipes and head to a local park with the members of your household. If you are inviting non-members of your household, keep in mind the CDC guidelines for social distancing and mask wearing. 
  • Head to a state park. State parks are wonderful places to explore. Just be sure to check for potential closures or parking restrictions before arrival. 
  • Find a botanical garden. Immerse yourself in nature by visiting a garden and enjoying the fresh air and floral scents.
  • Read a book. Take your favorite book to a nearby green space and soak up some rays.

Read on for more self-care tips, or share your own .
This newsletter is written & edited by the National Press Club Journalism Institute staff: Beth Francesco, Holly Butcher Grant, Jim Kuhnhenn, and Julie Moos. Send us your questions and suggestions for topics to cover.

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