What Lessons Should News Organizations Learn From Trump's Presidency?

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There's is a reckoning happening across the media. Major news organizations are reconsidering what they cover and how. The Trump presidency is one big reason for the self-examination. But this new scrutiny goes beyond politics — beyond Washington, D.C. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images hide caption

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Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

There's is a reckoning happening across the media. Major news organizations are reconsidering what they cover and how. The Trump presidency is one big reason for the self-examination. But this new scrutiny goes beyond politics — beyond Washington, D.C.

Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

There's is a reckoning happening across the media. Major news organizations are reconsidering what they cover and how. The Trump presidency is one big reason for the self-examination. But this new scrutiny goes beyond politics — beyond Washington, D.C.

John Watson teaches journalism ethics at American University. Watson explains how news organizations are reexamining journalistic principles and honoring some requests to remove names or mug shots from old stories.

Karen Attiah, the global opinions editor for The Washington Post, says some journalists — especially journalists of color — sounded the alarm about Trump's rhetoric for years. But she says it wasn't until the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by pro-Trump extremists on Jan. 6 that everyone else listened. Attiah says the media must now hold itself accountable for Trump's rise and reflect on lessons learned.

In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment that will help you make sense of what's going on in your community.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

This episode was produced by Lee Hale, Jason Fuller and Brianna Scott. It was edited by Connor Donevan with help from Wynne Davis. Our executive producer is Cara Tallo.