Environmental newsroom Mongabay is finding that showing how journalists report a story can help attract audiences who might otherwise scroll past it. Behind-the-scenes videos featuring reporters and their investigations have become part of its approach to reaching viewers on Instagram and YouTube, Nieman Lab’s Sarah Scire reported.
The newsroom began experimenting with the format in late 2024, when its Instagram reels typically received 2,000 to 3,000 views. An early video about reporting on shrimp-farm pollution attracted approximately 14,000 views. Mongabay now plans multimedia elements at the outset of major investigations so reporters can gather the footage needed alongside their other reporting.
The organization also sees promise in stories that explore responses to environmental problems. An internal analysis of 3,422 articles found that the median story featuring hope or a solution received 41% more traffic than those focused solely on a crisis or threat. The findings are informing newsroom discussions about framing and audience engagement.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here