Reminder to Join NCDD's November Webinar Tomorrow!

The National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation (NCDD) and Colorado State University’s Center for Public Deliberation will co-host “Talking Democracy (or Not): How Local Newsrooms Choose Their Words”, tomorrow, November 12, 2025. Drawing on new research from Press Forward and PACE’s Civic Language Perceptions Project, the webinar will reveal how terms like community, service, and connection often inspire more participation than explicitly “democracy”-focused language. Featuring experts in journalism and civic engagement, the session will offer practical strategies for inclusive communication that build trust and strengthen democratic communities. Participants will leave with tools to use language more intentionally—inviting people into civic life rather than alienating them.

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Language matters in democracy—and the words we choose can either invite people into civic life or inadvertently push them away. On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, from 9–10 a.m. Pacific (12 p.m.–1 p.m. Eastern), the National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation (NCDD) will co-host a timely webinar with the Colorado State University Center for Public Deliberation to explore how local newsrooms navigate the language of democracy.

Why Words Matter in Democracy

Titled "Talking Democracy (or Not): How Local Newsrooms Choose Their Words," this post-2024 election discussion comes at a crucial moment for civic engagement. Drawing on new research from Press Forward and PACE's Civic Language Perceptions Project, the webinar will examine a surprising finding: words like community, service, and connection often resonate more deeply and foster greater public engagement than explicit democracy-focused terminology.
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This insight raises important questions for anyone working to strengthen civic participation. How can journalists and civic practitioners communicate democratic values in ways that feel authentic and accessible? When does the language of democracy bring people together, and when might it create distance? These questions sit at the heart of NCDD's mission to foster meaningful dialogue and deliberation across differences.

Building Bridges Through Thoughtful Communication

The session will bring together experts in journalism and civic engagement to share practical strategies for inclusive, authentic civic communication. Participants will explore how local newsrooms can build trust across differences while effectively conveying the values that sustain healthy democratic communities—without relying on jargon or terms that may alienate some audiences.
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This conversation aligns deeply with NCDD's commitment to equity, inclusion, and collaborative community engagement. By examining how language shapes public understanding and participation, attendees will gain tools to bridge divides and strengthen the connections that make dialogue and deliberation possible. The webinar recognizes that effective civic communication requires both intention and attention—choosing words that invite people in rather than defining them out.

Join the Conversation

Whether you work in journalism, civic engagement, community organizing, or simply care about strengthening democracy, this webinar offers valuable insights for anyone seeking to communicate more inclusively and effectively. The one-hour session promises practical takeaways that participants can apply immediately in their work.

Register here to join this important conversation about how we talk—and think—about democracy in our communities.
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For those interested in ongoing exploration of the intersection between dialogue, deliberation, and journalism, NCDD also hosts a monthly Media Collaborative. These 90-minute calls meet on the second Friday of each month from 1–2:30 p.m. Eastern (10–11:30 a.m. Pacific) to discuss how media can support democratic engagement. Find call information in the notes doc.