In an age of soundbites and tweets, journalism experts advise using more words in your storytelling. The reason: Context matters, especially when the news has many Americans feeling on edge.

In a recent column addressing listeners’ questions about NPR’s reporting on the details of George Floyd’s death, Public Editor Kelly McBride writes, “embrace precision, be descriptive, use more words. The more this happens, the better the journalism.”

For instance, while it may be accurate to say that “Floyd died in police custody,” McBride writes, the phrase is insufficient without more description.

Here’s a more detailed description that you might consider using instead: “Floyd died after a police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes.” (Note that “murder” is a legal term. An officer has been charged with murder but not convicted, so avoid stating “Floyd was murdered.”)

Meanwhile, in her column about protests sweeping the nation, “Resist the Urge to Simplify the Story,” Anne Applebaum of The Atlantic writes, “Many would like to simplify these events—to give them a single, clear interpretation.” But, as she points out, the story is complicated.

After all, the protests are about much more than recent police violence; they are also about ending systemic racism, among other issues. Many emotions are in the mix—grief, anger, fear, and disgust (among others). Fair and accurate coverage can take time and patience. And presenting events to the public in a digestible way will likely require multiple stories.

PBS NEWSHOUR, for example, aired 13 stories or interviews about various aspects of the protests in the first week of June 2020. The reports ranged from Minneapolis’ history of policing black and white communities differently to how the protests may affect outbreaks of COVID-19.

Covering a multifaceted story such as this means more than just having reporters on the streets with the police and protesters.

Working from the U.S. Capitol, PBS NEWSHOUR correspondent Lisa Desjardins put racial inequality into focus with an article on June 4 comparing the number of black people who have been killed by police in just over a year with the number of black Americans who have ever served in the U.S. Senate. The number is the same: 10.

“It is a stark reminder that people who are often the victims of police violence are not proportionally represented in our government,” Desjardins writes.

Like many reporters who have been using social media to give quick, live updates from the protests, Desjardins frequently tweets from the Capitol. While it can be difficult to provide context on social media, Desjardins does an excellent job of providing insightful updates to her more than 89,000 followers.

Desjardins used “threads,” a series of connected tweets, to report on testimony during the first Congressional hearing on police violence after Floyd’s death. She used a thread when Floyd’s brother was speaking and another thread when the sister of a federal security guard killed during protests in Oakland testified. This technique allows Desjardins to keep reporting quickly without having to re-introduce who she is quoting each time.

Desjardins also used a thread when reporting on the painting of “Black Lives Matter” in huge yellow letters on 16th Street near the White House—an action endorsed by D.C.’s mayor. By stringing several tweets together, she was able to include a response from the local BLM chapter saying this act was a distraction from real policy changes.

The PBS Editorial Standards state: “When posting information, particularly information that is sensitive or controversial, producers and PBS staff should pause to consider whether particular social networks allow for proper context. For example, multiple tweets might be needed to accurately and fairly convey information or to adequately answer questions about complex subjects.”

Context is particularly important when many sites are flooded with disinformation, further ratcheting up emotions and sowing distrust.

By focusing on nuanced and thoughtful storytelling, no matter the platform, public media can be an important counterweight to the frenzied and often superficial news cycle, bringing light rather than heat to important issues facing society.

Editor's Note: On April 20, 2021, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter for the killing of George Floyd.

Contact Standards & Practices at standards@pbs.org