How the Wall Street Journal rolled out Talk2020

Sarah Scire of Nieman Lab writes about how The Wall Street Journal has rolled out Talk2020, which allows readers to search a database of thousands of transcripts to see what the presidential candidates have said about an issue.

Scire writes, “Through extensive focus groups conducted last summer, the Journal found that readers wanted to be able to quickly locate quotes and facts about a candidate’s record — and not just for their own edification.

“‘One of the things we know about our audience is they’re frequently working to get support for points that they would like to make to folks in their lives,’ senior program manager Tania Feliz said. ‘This tool allows them to find specific information and to share it.’

“Users can filter by issue, date, candidate, or keyword. A coworker who cares deeply about Palestine? A father-in-law who heard that Biden was going to ban fracking? A friend who wants to know if Trump really said he wanted to slow down coronavirus testing? (‘See?!’)

“The transcripts are pulled from campaign speeches, media appearances, debates, and more. (The Journal added Kamala Harris and Mike Pence to the list after their debate made it clear just how much interest there was in the candidates vying to be one heartbeat away from the presidency.)”

Read more here.