To My Friends in Virginia Media

To my friends in local journalism,

I am writing this letter to ask you to do what will feel impossible but is absolutely necessary. I’m imploring you to dig in your heels and hold the line for the survival of democracy in this country. Not only is it imperative that you hold our elected officials accountable at every level of the government, but we need you to share the stories of those who continue to feel neglected and ignored.

The results of the presidential election highlight that we are a divided country. As a Black woman, I am one of the people who feels abandoned right now, looking for solace that we will be okay. Americans delivered a message that we are unworthy of their support, even though we’ve always been on the front lines for everyone else. 

New York Times columnist Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom stated, “When people are talking about housing costs, when they are talking about inflation, even when they’re talking about the price of eggs, what they are talking about is an anxiety about their ability to predict their security into the near and distant future.”

The toxic anger that motivates voters must be discussed. The people who are left out of the story and don’t see – or feel – their lives getting better must be who we understand. You play a critical role in sharing their stories. Not just the extremists and insurrectionists but the farmers, small business owners, veterans, undocumented migrants, labor unions, white women, and the growing electorate of Latino and Asian voters.

I’m angry as well, but for different reasons. Right now, I’m asking for your help to see us. I need your support in expanding your worldview at a time when many of us are in greater danger because of what will come.

I host Women and Politics on WRIR, a show that brings women and femmes together to discuss how they engage in politics and work in changing communities. 

The majority of guests on our show have never been interviewed before. Many are nervous and ask if they did okay after recording. They are concerned if they said the right thing or wonder how their voice will sound on the radio. It’s natural to have those feelings when it’s your first-ever interview, but it’s interesting to learn that a reporter has never interviewed these individuals who contribute immensely to the community with their expertise.

Our guests are nonprofit leaders, domestic violence survivors, city employees, surgeons, campaign managers, doulas and midwives, artists and creatives, researchers, abortion providers, substance abuse counselors, educators, Dreamers, trans activists, business owners, etc. It’s a long list, but I needed to point out that these folks also need a platform.

When NPR examined its news sources, it found their news magazines “consistently produce a far greater diversity of sources by gender and race/ethnicity when talking to members of the general public,” but those conversations accounted for only 19% of sourcing in 2021. Most of their sources, at 81%, were subject matter experts.

And even then, women are less likely to be interviewed as subject matter experts, and Black and Brown women are less likely to be on the expert list. Their research showed, “For the topic of politics, the area of most frequent coverage, nearly three out of every four sources featured were White men.” 

I’ve noticed a similar trend across Virginia.

In 2019, Pew noted that it’s more common for white, older, more educated Americans to have spoken with local journalists. About 21% of those surveyed said they have never spoken to a local reporter. 

Even in a shifting media landscape, where corporate interests are usurping newsrooms and laying off incredible journalists, we still depend on you. I still depend on you. My community depends on you.

For the upcoming 2025 elections in Virginia, I’m asking you to shift from horse race journalism to political coverage centered on voter-based issues. What are the challenges our neighbors are dealing with, and what plans do candidates have to resolve them?

Move beyond historic firsts. Rep. Jenn McClellan and Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears both made history by being the first Black women elected to their seats, but they hold disparate views on policy and how to govern.

Lastly, come hang out with us in the community. Host community office hours, walk through different neighborhoods, and ride the bus. Find ways to talk to a greater number of sources. And that may include working with an interpreter to communicate in other languages.

You have the power to broaden your readers' understanding of the complexities, challenges, and triumphs of our community. You have an opportunity to redefine how stories are told and whose voices are heard. Democracy dies in darkness, but so does hope. When our stories aren’t told and when our communities are ignored, we lose our agency, especially when it comes to issues that have lasting impacts on our well-being. You can rise to this challenge, but it will require deliberate action and collaboration.

I’m here, as are so many others, to help you in this critical moment. So join us, listen to us, and ensure our stories do not go untold before it's too late.

Sheri Shannon

Founder and Director, Shannon Strategies