I'm seeing a lot of misleading headlines about governments these days. It is shocking how brazen the disconnect can be between the facts and clickbait-worthy headlines that grab eyeballs. Digital metrics such as pageviews and clicks only compound the problem: they reinforce bad practices that can result in an ill-informed public.
Public policy is often complicated. Everything has tradeoffs and, sometimes, unintended consequences. I have yet to see a silver bullet for all public ills. That does not mean we should be paralyzed into inaction; but it does mean that policy changes require deep thought, rational analysis and a fair dose of skepticism. None of this suits the lowest common denominator of today’s media storytelling environment.
Technology has obliterated one of the core advantages of traditional media: distribution. The same pressures that are shrinking America’s newsrooms and reporter ranks are also giving way to the ability of companies and public agencies to communicate directly with the public. Clients ask: “Why should I risk the media getting this story right when I can go straight to my community?” It's a great question. Especially in a COVID-19 world where people are increasingly comfortable watching a Facebook Live stream or jumping into a Town Hall via Zoom.
As local government communicators, we need good reporters and honest stewards of public information. We need holistic thinkers to unwind the complexities of public policy and governance and explain to the public: this is what's happening and this is how it could impact your lives. Right now, we find that sort of effort in long-format interviews on YouTube and podcasts. On the flip side, we also need a public that can understand the difference between narratives and facts, and that complexity and nuance matter.
Our work at Tripepi Smith sometimes feels like we are providing Civics 101 over and over again. Cities find themselves in the same position as they expand their outreach by implementing citizen academies and developing extensive background information on new projects for public digestion. Making efforts to better inform your public will prepare them to absorb the complexity of choices, tradeoffs and potential unintended consequences of policy issues in their cities. The alternative is to rely on the headlines to tell your story. If that is your only plan, you have already lost.
Civics or Bust,