Trusting News: Reporters should stop 'journalismplaining,' which is using jargon, being defensive, getting on a pedestal

News research project Trusting News has some advice for journalists who want to help skeptical readers understand the reporting process: stop "journalismsplaining."

Lynn Walsh writes in their latest newsletter: "Talking about ourselves in a story is not something that comes easily to most journalists. But we know that people have questions about what makes our reporting credible. And we know that when those questions aren't answered, users make their own (usually negative) assumptions. It's better to be proactive, and that means talking about ourselves and our reporting process."

But, she continues, journalists should steer clear of "using a lot of industry jargon, being defensive or putting ourselves on a pedestal. Let's all try to avoid what we are calling 'journalismsplaining.'"

She suggests journalists answer questions such as why they chose to write a story, why readers should care about it, whether they were fair and respectful of sources, and more.

Click here for more tips on avoiding journalismsplaining. Trusting News is a collaboration of the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute and the American Press Institute.