About the Audience
Taylor McGraw, Jackson | Executive Director, The Bell nonprofit
Toby Barker, Hattiesburg | Mayor
Nicole Boyd, Oxford | State Senator
Jamie Rasberry, Jackson | MS Alliance of Nonprofits and Philanthropy
Cameron Abel, Greenwood | CFO Boys & Girls Club
Tenesha Batiste, Moss Point | School District Operations Director
Akwete Muhammed, Hattiesburg | Habitat for Humanity
Eddie Burks, Natchez | Farmers Market Manager
Misty McCraw, West Point | Business Consultant
Lin Guang Jin, Wiggins | Restaurant Owner, Best Wok
Aaron Washington, Tupelo | A+ Barber Shop
Rev. Chris Diggs, Clarksdale | United Methodist Church
Dr. Erin Rhodes, Hattiesburg | Dentist
Chief Deputy Reggie Lantern, Batesville | Panola County Sheriff's Dept.
Iben Madsen, Poplarville | Pearl River Community College soccer player
David Collins, Jackson | Innovate MS
Jessica Hughey, Meridian | AT&T Retail Store Ast. Manager
Vickie Dupree, Olive Branch | Chamber of Commerce Director
Erick Simmons, Greenville | Mayor
Maxine Greenleaf, Lorman | Alcorn State Marketing & Communications
Method
We shared some of the research goals with people ahead of the interviews, but we did not introduce the term “constructive journalism” ahead of time. This provided an opportunity to listen for alignment between what people said they valued and what constructive journalism offers, before asking them to consider the concept.
Demographics
Our sample of 20 people is not large enough to truly align statements and sentiments with certain demographic markers. Rather, it offers a snapshot of diverse viewpoints from across the state of Mississippi.
Many of our interviewees (14) had been sources for media stories. Some had studied journalism, taught journalism, worked in public relations or bought advertising.
Only 5 related to the media as users only.
Limitations
The challenge of hearing from a diverse mix of people from all corners of a rural, dispersed state illustrates the exact challenge that journalists have in elevating the voices of everyday people who are different from themselves. Our project could have benefited from more perspectives among the Latino community, young people and people without college degrees.
Bias in Selection
The audience was not a random sample, in that the goal was to hear diverse perspectives across as many demographic points as possible. Some people were also chosen because they seemed to have community-minded perspectives or solution-oriented personalities. We didn’t try to hear from people whose public personas suggested an eagerness to fight.
