The 2024 election cycle will provide new challenges to election coverage with the continued growth of the internet, overcoming misinformation and certain groups’ lack of access to accurate information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Online News Association conference tackled the topic of election coverage during the week that included the first GOP debate and former President Donald Trump surrendering himself to a jail in Georgia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The \u201ctypical\u201d steps of running a campaign have greatly evolved, including candidates having more power to bypass the news media and directly reach out to voters via social media,” said Leroy Chapman, editor-in-chief of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which Thursday hosted a breakfast discussion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chapman talked about the challenges and responsibilities journalists face in this modern election cycle and political climate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe idea that you have to go to certain steps in order to be a candidate, out the door,\u201d he said. \u201cThe idea that you have to go to those early voting states, yes, they’re important, but maybe they’re not as important when you’ve got someone who has 57 percent of the Republican vote right now and doesn’t even have to debate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chapman said journalists are working in a \u201cmisinformation society.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Audiences can search for information quickly, but anyone can present their opinion as fact and spread misinformation with ease. Chapman called on attendees to not take this issues lightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs journalists, we have to adapt, because no longer are we the gatekeepers of information,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chapman emphasized that Georgia is a microcosm of the nation and can teach us lessons in election coverage. There are strong political divisions, diversity and a mix of city, rural and coastal areas. And, as in several other parts of the country, Georgia\u2019s suburbs will be \u201cdecisive\u201d in upcoming elections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe suburbs that used to be overwhelmingly white, are now pretty diverse,\u201d Chapman said. \u201cAnd not only are they pretty diverse, what we’ve seen in metro Atlanta is the politics have followed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n