Explanatory Reporting in Video Format: Contrasting Perceptions to Those of Conventional News

Abstract

In the last two decades, numerous scholars and professionals have argued that people need more assistance than provided by conventional reporting. Hopes have been placed on a new genre, most commonly known as explanatory reporting. This type of reporting provides context by answering "how" and "why" questions, going beyond conventional reporting's focus on "who/ what/when/where", novelty and immediacy. Its proponents have argued that explanatory reporting makes it easier for audiences to understand an issue, develop well-informed opinions and attitudes, and arrive at accurate attributions of responsibility. Yet, whether this is truly the case has barely been investigated. This study addresses this gap in knowledge. The 46 qualitative interviews reported here suggest that explanatory reporting fulfils the hopes placed on this new genre. Interviewees viewing an explanatory report (1) understood the issue at hand better than those who watched conventional news instead and (2) reported more nuanced attributions of responsibility. Furthermore, contrary to most studies to date, explanatory reporting (3) elicited an emotional response, discrediting the notion that backgrounders are dull. Potential variations relating to (4) attitude change were inconclusive, perhaps because the topic of the videos used as conversation starters-organ donation-induced social desirability.

[Can’t] Delete: an intervention in mainstream news media representations of image-based sexual abuse

“…… its proponents have argued that explanatory reporting makes it easier for audiences to understand an issue, develop well-informed opinions and attitudes, and arrive at accurate attributions of responsibility. (Dan and Reueter, 2023: 1046)…”

“…This freedom with active responsibility can bring about new discoveries through engagement (Usher, 2016). Following the interactive profiles, the site hosts a piece of 'explanatory reporting', defined by Dan andRaueter (2023: 1046) as a new genre of journalism that provides context by answering 'how' and 'why' questions, going beyond conventional reporting's focus on 'who/what/when/where', novelty and immediacy:…”

“…… its proponents have argued that explanatory reporting makes it easier for audiences to understand an issue, develop well-informed opinions and attitudes, and arrive at accurate attributions of responsibility. (Dan andReueter, 2023: 1046) This article, 'Navigating the world wide web of image-based sexual abuse', establishes a baseline understanding of IBSA. Through the sum of its parts, [Can't] Delete (Gleave, 2021) is an example of alternative journalism about IBSA that seeks to build public understanding and empathetic responses for the victim experience.…”

“…This freedom with active responsibility can bring about new discoveries through engagement (Usher, 2016). Following the interactive profiles, the site hosts a piece of ‘explanatory reporting’, defined by Dan and Raueter (2023: 1046) as a new genre of journalism that provides context by answering ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions, going beyond conventional reporting's focus on ‘who/what/when/where’, novelty and immediacy:… its proponents have argued that explanatory reporting makes it easier for audiences to understand an issue, develop well-informed opinions and attitudes, and arrive at accurate attributions of responsibility. (Dan and Reueter, 2023: 1046)…”

“…Users are presented with four icons that depict different victim-survivor profiles and scenarios, and when the user hovers over each one, a pop-up box appears that steps them through each individual experience. The victim-survivor interactives are accompanied by a piece of 'explanatory reporting' (Dan and Raueter, 2023) designed to make it easier for the audience to understand the issue, develop well-informed opinions and arrive at accurate attributions of responsibility.…”