Connective Democracy Initiative

Our society is witnessing an entrenchment of divisiveness – the media versus the public, Democrats versus Republicans, urban versus rural. Whether political or social, the divisions in our society seem to be growing swiftly and aggressively. And with these divides come new challenges in facilitating the exchange of information. The Center for Media Engagement proposes a new approach to tackling the issue: connective democracy.
Connective democracy unites newsrooms, scholars, platforms, and public policy entities in a methodical approach toward bridging gaps in our society. We believe that, by working together, these groups can identify and put into action practical solutions to help bring people together across divides.
More than a theory, connective democracy depends on collaborative work throughout the research process, spanning idea generation, study design, data collection, the interpretation of findings, the sharing of results, and the leveraging of findings to affect practice.
Newsroom Resources

5 Ways to Build Trust and Bridge Divides
July 1, 2023

Build Trust Through Your Storytelling Process
April 28, 2023

Using Person-Centered Language Can Build Trust
November 11, 2022

How Newsrooms Can Address Election Fraud Beliefs
September 15, 2022

Making Political Points with Humility Can Bridge D...
February 1, 2022

A Better Way to Tell Protest Stories
December 1, 2021

Bridging Divides Between Conservatives and Media
October 15, 2021

How Newsrooms Can Help Bridge Divides: Lessons fro...
July 8, 2021

Helping Audiences Find Common Ground
October 9, 2020

How Newsrooms Can Help Unite a Divided America
February 7, 2019
SXSW Panel
Our country is faced with a multitude of divides – political, social, geographic, and economical. Bridging these divides is a long and difficult undertaking, but newsrooms can play a critical role in the process. In a panel presented at SXSW 2021, the Center for Media Engagement convened a group of experts to help newsrooms better understand their communities and humanize those with diverse views by using the principles of connective democracy. The discussion focused on answering three questions:
- How can newsrooms approach a coverage plan that focuses on what people share in common and presents diverse viewpoints?
- How can newsrooms frame stories in ways that offer people the news they need?
- How can newsrooms use social media to connect people to their newsroom and their community?
Panelists:
Gina M. Masullo, Associate Director, Center for Media Engagement
Erica Anderson, Engagement Journalist and Moderator, Spaceship Media
Alicia Bell, Organizing Manager, Free Press
Research

Bridging Divides on Social Media: A New Approach D...
February 6, 2025

A Simple Online Game Can Help Bridge Political Div...
November 16, 2023

A Simple Online Game Can Help Bridge Political Div...
November 16, 2023

Do Democrats and Republicans Live in Different Wor...
June 27, 2023

Person-Centered Terms Encourage Stigmatized Groups...
August 24, 2022

Understanding Election Fraud Beliefs: Interviews ...
June 9, 2022

Bridging Political Divides with Facebook Memes
April 28, 2022

Making Your Political Point Online Without Driving...
December 15, 2021

A Better Way to Tell Protest Stories
October 28, 2021

How Local Newsrooms Can Better Connect with Conser...
August 16, 2021

Communicating Science Across Political Divides
August 4, 2021

How to Connect with Disinvested Local News Audienc...
July 7, 2021

What Americans Know and Don’t Know about Con...
May 20, 2021

What Americans Know and Don’t Know about Fac...
March 3, 2021

News Distrust Among Black Americans is a Fixable P...
November 18, 2020

Being Compassionate with Yourself May Help Bridge ...
September 17, 2020

Finding Common Ground: Habits that May Help
August 30, 2020

Adding Humanizing Details to News Articles Produce...
August 6, 2020

How to Talk to People Who Disagree with You Politi...
July 30, 2020

Images That Generate Clicks Among Both Liberals an...
December 17, 2019

Making Strangers Less Strange
November 14, 2018