KOSU will increase engagement journalism efforts this year by partnering with other public radio stations and collaborating networks in a regional reporting initiative called America Amplified: Election 2020. One of the ways public radio stations can understand communities they may be unfamiliar with is to host listening sessions.
The first listening session, which took place Feb. 21-22 in Miami, Oklahoma, was called Listening to Miami. In these listening sessions, KOSU’s Engagement Team — comprised of Kateleigh Mills and Chelsea Stanfield — is required by the reporting initiative to ask two fundamental questions:
- What most concerns you about your community or the country in the coming year?
- What do you want people to understand about your community or your life?
Mills and Stanfield talked with 15 people during their initial visit to Miami and have plans to return to the community throughout the year to check back in with leaders and residents. KOSU is looking to host additional listening sessions in Ponca City, Watonga and Seminole.
The goal of these listening sessions is to understand communities that may not get as much news coverage statewide and nationally. They also may help identify common and individual issues that are unique to these areas.
"We believe the simple act of listening without having the goal of producing a story will ultimately lead to better journalism," said Rachel Hubbard, KOSU's executive director. "It's important to take the time to really stop and hear these important voices because they help connect the communities we serve."
The America Amplified: Election 2020 initiative is a national project sponsored by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to elevate stories that often go unheard especially in the election cyles. It is led by KCUR in Kansas City. The initiative is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It uses public media collaboration and community engagement journalism to amplify America’s concerns and aspirations.
Other community engagement efforts in this project may include public forums and use of texting clubs and social media. The stations involved in the initiative will share insights, stories and content with national broadcasters like NPR, PBS, BBC and podcast producers.
Donna Vestal, managing director for the initiative for KCUR, says these efforts will change the reporting narrative in the 2020 election season.
There are several other collaborative networks involved with America Amplified: Election 2020, including Harvest Public Media, StateImpact Pennsylvania, Mountain West News Bureau and the New England News Collaborative. KOSU is an associate partner for Harvest Public Media, which includes KCUR, Iowa Public Radio, St. Louis Public Radio, KRCC, KBIA and Kansas News Service and more.
America Amplified: Election 2020 aims to strengthen collaboration within public media, build trust in local journalism and deepen understanding of America’s needs and aspirations.
You can follow America Amplified: Election 2020 on Twitter at @amplified2020, or if you have a story, email KOSU's engagement team here.
KOSU's engagement reporting receives additional support from the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation.
