LebTown seeks common ground through our reporting, regardless of the topic. Here’s what that means for our journalism.
This editorial follows up my previous ones about LebTown’s core value, optimize for trust, and our related values, seek truth and report it and make the extra call. These editorials come as part of LebTown’s Countywide Campaign, an ambitious effort to reach 1,000 active members by the time our fifth birthday rolls around later this month.
Read More: Introducing the Countywide Campaign
In my editorial explaining seek truth and report it, I discussed how LebTown aims to avoid both the view from nowhere and the trend towards polarization seen in much of the media. One of the ways we avoid the pitfalls present at either end of the objectivity spectrum is by having a clear understanding of our goal, which is to provide a common set of facts for our community.
Another tactic we use to avoid these pitfalls is actively seeking common ground throughout our reporting process. In the same vein as eschewing the trend towards polarization, LebTown journalists should search for common ground in whatever we’re exploring.
Sometimes this might be common ground between two sides of an issue; other times it might be homing into some aspect of day-to-day life that you, our readers, will understand intuitively. This value can also be embedded in our language choices and a preference for simple, accessible phrasing wherever possible.
Another way we seek common ground is by remembering to “Start with Why” and keep in mind the base themes of human experience which LebTown seeks to reflect – stories that foster a sense of place and identity by lifting up role models, highlighting those who are struggling, applauding triumphs, facing down issues.
Everyone has a story worth knowing, and everyone deserves dignity and respect.
Solutions journalism is intertwined with this concept, as it allows us to report our way towards a community-wide mutual understanding and (if we’re lucky) traction towards solving issues where they arise.
If you’ve learned something in this editorial, or it otherwise struck a chord with you, please consider joining LebTown as a member and being a part of our further conversations, both online and off, in the coming months.
Members are the heart and soul of LebTown, and in addition to the deep satisfaction of being champions for local news, they get special benefits like the ability to comment on articles, purchase exclusive merchandise, and receive members-only email newsletters.
If you’re not a member, the easiest, quickest, and most impactful thing you can do today is signup for a monthly or annual membership.
For a quick and simple one-time contribution, head here. (Please note that one-time contributions are not eligible for member benefits.)
You can also signup as a member by mailing us a check to the following address.
LebTown
922 Cumberland Street
Lebanon, PA 17042
If signing up by mailing us a check, please make sure to enclose your email address so we can setup your account. Please note that checks can take up to a month to be processed.
Next week, I will continue this editorial series by talking about another of LebTown’s values: Champion local. With feedback, suggestions, or ideas, you can reach me using the contact form at the bottom of this article or by shooting an email to editor@lebtown.com.
Questions about this story? Suggestions for a future LebTown article? Reach our newsroom using this contact form and we’ll do our best to get back to you.
Free news isn’t cheap. If you value the journalism LebTown provides to the community, then help us make it sustainable by becoming a champion of local news. You can unlock additional coverage for the community by supporting our work with a one-time contribution, or joining as a monthly or annual member. You can cancel anytime.
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