(1) How should TV news cover a president who makes existential threats to democracy as a habit without paralyzing the agency of voters and without giving in to the obvious gaslighting? A few thoughts.

(2). First, lead with the reality. Election night might be over quickly or it might take a while. Taking a while doesn’t mean things are bad. They mean local officials are working stuff out. Repeat this idea.

(3) the President’s threats will obtain motive force if people fear that democracy is going to die and stability will yield to chaos. Explain terror management theory - urge viewers to be ready to put his threats into context.

(4) the context is that while his threats are threats to democracy and unprecedented, there are many forces at play. Report them: he fears he’s losing. He wants people to think elections will be chaotic. He likes screwing with the media. Say this out loud. Everytime.

(5) Condition viewers to live with uncertainty. We don’t know exactly what will happen, but there’s a good chance that X, Y or Z.

(6) explain to viewers what YOU are doing as a network or station to get the results right and how you will cover legal challenges.

(7) local stations should devote at least one segment per day to visually instruct voters about how to sign mail-in ballots, where to drop them off, etc BEFORE u cover the legal issue of the day. Focus on the normal and the reality. Repeat these segments every day.

(8) introduce viewers to the officials and judges and justices at a state and local level who will certify results. Make these folks household names BEFORE the election. Scrutinize them.

(9) condition viewers to expect to see and hear a lot of misinformation before during and after the election. Spend time during newscasts urging them to pause before sharing information they aren’t sure is true. Do this often.

(10). Emphasize their agency as voters. We want all votes to count. We want yours to count. We want your voices heard. That’s our purchase here. If Trump wins, we will be the first to tell you. If Biden wins... we will be the first to tell you.

(11). Local TV stations need to develop action plans with state and local officials to vet voting related misinformation before airing it. Tell viewers you’re going to check reports of malfeasance BEFORE you report on them.