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Civic Journalism. The Role of Newspapers in Building Citizenship. Press Challenges. Profit pressures Internet Bad journalistic habits Government regulation. New Questions:. Who is a journalist? What is journalism?. New Trends:. Interactive journalism Participatory journalism
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Civic Journalism The Role of Newspapers in Building Citizenship
Press Challenges • Profit pressures • Internet • Bad journalistic habits • Government regulation
New Questions: • Who is a journalist? • What is journalism?
New Trends: • Interactive journalism • Participatory journalism • Citizen journalism
Civic Journalism • Restore good habits • Build reader connections • Get better stories • Build better citizens
Journalism Today • Blurred lines • Reporting & Commentary • Entertainment & News • Difficulty “getting it right” • Serving elites vs. citizens • Out of touch with public • Commercial > sensational
Bad Habits • Act rushed • Hover with notebook • Ask loaded questions • Expect fast answers • Listen for quick quote • Show up only for problems • Corrupt behavior
Civic JournalismAspirations • Retain watch dog • Abandon attack dog • Add guide dog
Civic Election Coverage • Avoid < horse race polls • Focus > voter issues • Frame > hiring decisions
Charlotte Observer
Norfolk Virginian-Pilot
Philadelphia Inquirer Mayor’s Race
Pew Center forCivic Journalism • Funded 120 projects • Tracked 650 projects • Trained 4,000 journalists • Awarded 30 Batten Awards • Interactive journalism
Read more: www.pewcenter.org www.j-lab.org
Computer kiosks > Community surveys
Clickable Maps
Definition:Civic Journalism News that citizens need to: • Learn about issues, events • Make civic decisions • Participate in a democracy
Civic Toolbox • New definitions of “news” • New sources of news • New interactions with readers • Mental checklist
What is “News?” Content audits: 1977 - 1997: • Government News < 38% • Entertainment News > 380% • Scandal News > 300 %
Civic Techniques • DON’T: • Keep score • Focus on conflict • DO: • Cover solutions • Interview all stakeholders
Savannah’s Vision 2010
Civic Attributes: • Entry points for citizen input - task force • Reported solutions • Build civic capacity • Action plan • Non-profit foundation
Civic Response: • 1,100 reader calls • $200,000 donations • 50 tons food • 8,000 toys • Thousands volunteer hours
“News” as Conflict Internal vs. External • Conflict in Values • Not Conflict of People
Civic Mapping • List pre-conceived ideas • Diversify Sources • Catalysts • Connectors • Watch for stereotypes • Hold conversations not interviews • Define terms • Find master narratives
Learn more: www.pewcenter.org “A Journalists’s Toolbox” (4 videos) “Tapping Civic Life” booklet
Taking Back Our Neighborhoods
Civic Listening • Data Crunching • Community Poll • Citizen Advisors • Town Halls
Charlotte’s Civic Tools • TV and radio partners • Neighborhood advisors • Town hall meetings • Success stories • “Needs” lists for each area
Charlotte Observer’s “Needs” List
What we know: • Triggers civic behavior • Increases knowledge • Builds credibility • Citizens “get” it • Builds civic capacity • Builds reporting capacity
MasterNarratives Covering the Noise Vs. Covering the Silences
Deadliest Drug
Mental Checklist • How do you position people? √ As color or furniture that you move around? √ Or as a citizen capable of action?
Mental Checklist Do you only raise awareness? √ Can a story invite input, ideas? √ Can it help readers do something with the information?
Mental Checklist Have you talked to all stakeholders? √ Do you report more than two sides of the story? √ Do the pros and cons get you the real story?
Mental Checklist Do you report internal and external conflict? √ Do you help people see possible choices and consequences of those choices? √ Do you examine conflicting values?
Mental Checklist Do you advance solutions? √ Report what has worked elsewhere? √ Invite community brainstorming?
Mental Checklist Do you invite participation? √ How can people respond? √ Are there “entry points” for input?
Less Noise More Meaningful Interaction
The Institute for Interactive Journalism www.j-lab.org