Joan Donovan shares four tips for journalists covering pro-Trump rallies and far-right groups for Journalist’s Resource. She says reporters should avoid doxing Capitol staff members and government employees; understand the ramifications of covering pro-Trump rallies and protests leading up to Biden’s swearing in ceremony; fact-check statements made by far-right extremists and be leery of offers to help; and read research on political protests and political violence.
“Mindless parroting back their claims is amplifying misinformation,” Donovan says in the piece. “In the midst of all of this chaos and momentum, when people are trying to sort out the facts, there’s misinformation and forgeries being left for reporters to find.”