WFDD reporters ask: What would you like to hear more of from the media?

Today is Election Day, and millions of people will be focused on news outlets across multiple platforms to monitor the results. This comes at a time when the number of Americans who do not trust the media exceeds that of those who do. WFDD’s David Ford and DJ Simmons set out across the Piedmont and High Country with a question: What would you like to hear more of from the media? 

In Yadkin County, Trump voter Clifford Robinson has one word to describe the media: "bad."

"I'd say being honest with people is up-front the most important thing," says Robinson. "And I think not taking sides one way or the other. I think this media that we got now, every one of them, I just I don't listen to any news at all. I'll listen to the weather. That's it."

Burlington resident Chris Carthen is an undecided voter. He says the media's road to regaining trust begins with connecting with its audience.

"What you're doing today, I think is awesome," he says. "Being able to get out and talk to people. It's going to be hard to find people that really experience the pain of life on street level that can articulate what needs to be articulated. So if you can do that, then that'll help."

Graham, North Carolina native and undecided voter Brian Dehart believes the media can play a role in countering the negativity that he says is all around us.

"No one reports on all the planes that landed today do they?" he says. "No, we report on the planes that crash. So, so much of our bandwidth of what we're hearing, information-wise, are negative things when there are so many positive things that are happening."

In downtown Greensboro, Harris voter Jacqui Hawkins is critical of the way news is often presented. 

"I think that the media needs to do a better job in keeping the rhetoric out and sticking to facts," says Hawkins. "I think that would be helpful for people that just listen to sound bites."

Undecided voter John Willingham lives in Yadkinville. He says he's tired of the partisan rancor he sees and hears in the news.

"I think number one, what you're doing right here is great," says Willingham. "Unpretentious, just walking up and talking to people. You know, the media is pretty easily branded — you know, right, left — so maintaining the middle of the road is the key to what I think media needs to be doing."

Jene Black is a Harris supporter. She says the media has an important role to play in bringing people together.

"I think we miss a lot of what's going on in the community," she says. "Sometimes, even if this just seems like it's something that's small, it could be, you know, very impactful. Like, free programs that people can be a part of and sign up for, especially like education-wise. I think we could definitely do a better job of informing people about things like that."

Chance Hall grew up in Stokes County. He would like to see the media spend less time on doom and gloom.

"I think you should have a good balance of positive and realistic slash negative, so that people are aware," says Hall. "Definitely try to get as much positive and community rapport-oriented things in your coverage."