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Helping public radio best serve American democracy

Is tuning in to NPR part of your daily routine? As a lifelong listener (and former NPR staffer myself), I trust its journalists to give me unbiased, factual information. That’s why I couldn’t be more excited that this week, Poynter announced a pioneering new partnership with NPR in which Poynter vice president Kelly McBride serves as their public editor. During this two-year contract, Kelly will seek transparency about NPR’s journalism and be an independent advocate for their listeners and members. 

NPR’s President and CEO, John Lansing, said "During this period when rigorous, fact-based and context-rich journalism has never been more important, NPR is taking the extraordinary step of contracting with the Poynter Institute to hold our journalism more accountable than ever before to our audiences.”

You can expect to hear Kelly on air and on npr.org soon. She’ll answer your questions and look into concerns, further demonstrating how Poynter bridges the gap between news organizations and the communities they serve. 

Giving you insight on casting your vote during a pandemic

This week’s Wisconsin primary election highlighted the risks of in-person voting due to the COVID-19 crisis— and posed a democratic crisis. Will the pandemic force a massive absentee vote in the general November election? Poynter’s nonprofit fact-checking news organization, PolitiFact, provides you with all of the information you need to know about voting by mail.

Guiding how you care for every member of your family

If you’re anything like me, you agree that one of the best ways of coping through this crisis is to enjoy some much-needed “pet therapy” from your animal companion. But with the recent news of a Bronx Zoo tiger testing positive with COVID-19, you may be wondering if your furry friend is at risk. Al Tompkins, senior faculty member at Poynter, explains what this all means for pets and pet owners.

My bulldog and shelter-at-home therapist, Gracie

Seeing you through the storm 

Experts warned that this week the death toll from COVID-19 would surpass other American tragedies like 9/11 and Pearl Harbor, and the U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams said it is “going to be the hardest and the saddest week of most Americans' lives.” Through her Q&A with licensed psychotherapist and ordained minister Sidney Tompkins, Poynter’s Mel Grau gives you vital information on how to deal with your stress and trauma. First, Tompkins (who happens to be married to Poynter’s Al Tompkins, mentioned above) recommends recognizing that we are working during an unprecedented time and it’s normal to not know what to do.

But, she says, “We’re pioneers.”

Speaking of trailblazing, today’s student journalists are learning how to cover the most intense story of our lifetime — from their childhood bedrooms. To help, this week Poynter’s Al Tompkins taught journalism students in classes from Syracuse University, University of Miami, University of South Florida, University of Maryland, Michigan State and University of Indiana. To end on a high note, check out what tomorrow’s journalists (and their teachers) had to say:

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Josh Herrington
Development Director
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Poynter Foundation Board Members: 

Brian Tierney, CEO, Brian Communications
Michael Dreyer, President, Tampa Bay Trust Company
Frank “Sandy” Rief III, Attorney, Allen Dell, Attorneys at Law
Liz Sembler, Board Member, Corporation for Public Broadcasting