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Civic Journalism

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

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  1. Civic Journalism The Role of Newspapers in Building Citizenship

  2. Press Challenges • Profit pressures • Internet • Bad journalistic habits • Government regulation

  3. New Questions: • Who is a journalist? • What is journalism?

  4. New Trends: • Interactive journalism • Participatory journalism • Citizen journalism

  5. Civic Journalism • Restore good habits • Build reader connections • Get better stories • Build better citizens

  6. Journalism Today • Blurred lines • Reporting & Commentary • Entertainment & News • Difficulty “getting it right” • Serving elites vs. citizens • Out of touch with public • Commercial > sensational

  7. Bad Habits • Act rushed • Hover with notebook • Ask loaded questions • Expect fast answers • Listen for quick quote • Show up only for problems • Corrupt behavior

  8. Civic JournalismAspirations • Retain watch dog • Abandon attack dog • Add guide dog

  9. Civic Election Coverage • Avoid < horse race polls • Focus > voter issues • Frame > hiring decisions

  10. Charlotte Observer

  11. Norfolk Virginian-Pilot

  12. Philadelphia Inquirer Mayor’s Race

  13. Pew Center forCivic Journalism • Funded 120 projects • Tracked 650 projects • Trained 4,000 journalists • Awarded 30 Batten Awards • Interactive journalism

  14. Read more: www.pewcenter.org www.j-lab.org

  15. Computer kiosks > Community surveys

  16. Clickable Maps

  17. Tax Calculators

  18. NHPR Budget Builder

  19. Definition:Civic Journalism News that citizens need to: • Learn about issues, events • Make civic decisions • Participate in a democracy

  20. Civic Toolbox • New definitions of “news” • New sources of news • New interactions with readers • Mental checklist

  21. What is “News?” Content audits: 1977 - 1997: • Government News < 38% • Entertainment News > 380% • Scandal News > 300 %

  22. Civic Techniques • DON’T: • Keep score • Focus on conflict • DO: • Cover solutions • Interview all stakeholders

  23. Savannah’s Vision 2010

  24. Civic Attributes: • Entry points for citizen input - task force • Reported solutions • Build civic capacity • Action plan • Non-profit foundation

  25. Civic Response: • 1,100 reader calls • $200,000 donations • 50 tons food • 8,000 toys • Thousands volunteer hours

  26. “News” as Conflict Internal vs. External • Conflict in Values • Not Conflict of People

  27. Civic Mapping • List pre-conceived ideas • Diversify Sources • Catalysts • Connectors • Watch for stereotypes • Hold conversations not interviews • Define terms • Find master narratives

  28. Learn more: www.pewcenter.org “A Journalists’s Toolbox” (4 videos) “Tapping Civic Life” booklet

  29. Taking Back Our Neighborhoods

  30. Civic Listening • Data Crunching • Community Poll • Citizen Advisors • Town Halls

  31. Charlotte’s Civic Tools • TV and radio partners • Neighborhood advisors • Town hall meetings • Success stories • “Needs” lists for each area

  32. Charlotte Observer’s “Needs” List

  33. What we know: • Triggers civic behavior • Increases knowledge • Builds credibility • Citizens “get” it • Builds civic capacity • Builds reporting capacity

  34. MasterNarratives Covering the Noise Vs. Covering the Silences

  35. The New City

  36. Aging Matters

  37. Deadliest Drug

  38. Mental Checklist • How do you position people? √ As color or furniture that you move around? √ Or as a citizen capable of action?

  39. Mental Checklist Do you only raise awareness? √ Can a story invite input, ideas? √ Can it help readers do something with the information?

  40. 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?

  41. 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?

  42. Mental Checklist Do you advance solutions? √ Report what has worked elsewhere? √ Invite community brainstorming?

  43. Mental Checklist Do you invite participation? √ How can people respond? √ Are there “entry points” for input?

  44. 2001 Pew Poll

  45. Want more interactivity

  46. Build Connections

  47. Less Noise More Meaningful Interaction

  48. The Institute for Interactive Journalism www.j-lab.org

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