In mid-August, journalists will descend on Chicago, Illinois to cover the Democratic National Convention, where U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to accept her nomination to be the Democratic candidate for the 2024 presidential election.
For those traveling to Chicago, below are resources to help reporters cover the event responsibly, navigate the city, stay safe, and more.
Preparing to Cover Elections
Journalists should be prepared on the ins and outs of election reporting before the convention. These two guides can help:
Elections Reporting | International Journalists' Network (ijnet.org)
IJNet offers a host of resources for journalists covering elections. Topics include disinformation, misinformation, incorporating a gender perspective, how to avoid “horse race” coverage, digital security, covering civil unrest, how to engage audiences, and more.
U.S. Presidential Election 2024: Journalist safety kit (from Committee to Protect Journalists)
“The contested 2020 election and the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol have contributed to a rise in domestic extremism and an increased presence of politically motivated militia groups….As a result, journalists may face forceful reprisals, including physical harassment, obstruction, and verbal abuse. Media workers covering elections should be aware of the increased risk of online abuse, including doxxing, and targeted disinformation campaigns designed to undermine the press. This underscores an increasingly hostile environment for journalists in the U.S., with at least 40 assaults against journalists in 2023….
The guide…is designed to help newsrooms and journalists think about and manage physical and digital risk when it comes to covering the U.S. election.”
About Chicago / Resources for Preparing to Cover the DNC
The following are resources to navigate Chicago safely and efficiently.
Chicago Weather By Season & Policing & Safety for the RNC & DNC
Democratic National Convention in Chicago: Frequently Asked Questions
This link offers answers to FAQs, including parking, transportation, technology, etc., to address topics that may be of interest to residents, businesses, and visitors.
Democratic National Convention Public Safety 2024
Information from the City of Chicago.Gov. Topics include:
- Impacted Areas
- Traffic & Transportation
- Getting Around
- Alerts & Notifications
- Frequently Asked Questions
Additional Resources
2024 Political Conventions Resources and Tips
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press has created this page to provide journalists covering the 2024 national political conventions with a collection of resources to stay safe and tips to be prepared. It will be updated on a rolling basis to include the latest information on security plans and additional resources. Categories include Trainings, Legal Hotline, Convention Tips, and other Resources for Journalists, including a legal guide in English and Spanish.
A Mental Health Guide for Journalists Facing Online Violence - IWMF
“Online violence is often only considered a digital safety issue, but the impact of online abuse on journalists’ mental health is significant and has serious consequences for them, their work, and for press freedom. This is particularly true for women and diverse journalists who are disproportionately targeted by online attacks.”
Tom Durkin is the education program director at the James Foley Foundation. Kevin Conway is the associate director of university communication at Marquette University.
Photo by Walter Martin on Unsplash.