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Civic journalism, as explored by Jay Rosen, seeks to revitalize the relationship between the media and community involvement, addressing the decline of newspaper readership linked to a loss of social capital, as identified by Robert Putnam in "Bowling Alone." This movement emphasizes journalists as social workers who can galvanize local agendas and foster community dialogue—evidenced by initiatives like The Ledger-Enquirer's "Columbus: Beyond 2000." As media evolves, it poses critical questions about objectivity and community engagement, driving towards a more participatory model in journalism.
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Civic journalism A brief overview of a reform movement in transition
Jay Rosen • Loss of circulation tied to loss of community
Jay Rosen • Loss of circulation tied to loss of community • “What Are Journalists For?” examines civic (public) journalism
Jay Rosen • Loss of circulation tied to loss of community • “What Are Journalists For?” examines civic (public) journalism • John Dewey is his inspiration
“Bowling Alone” • Robert Putnam traced the decline of “social capital”
“Bowling Alone” • Robert Putnam traced the decline of “social capital” • Newspaper readership associated with community involvement
“Bowling Alone” • Robert Putnam traced the decline of “social capital” • Newspaper readership associated with community involvement • Doing good can be good for business
Journalists as social workers • News orgs can galvanize local agenda and serving as a sounding board
Journalists as social workers • News orgs can galvanize local agenda and serving as a sounding board • The Ledger-Enquirer in Columbus, Ga.
Journalists as social workers • News orgs can galvanize local agenda and serving as a sounding board • The Ledger-Enquirer in Columbus, Ga. • 1988 series “Columbus: Beyond 2000”
Journalists as social workers • News orgs can galvanize local agenda and serving as a sounding board • The Ledger-Enquirer in Columbus, Ga. • 1988 series “Columbus: Beyond 2000” • Followed up with public forum
Journalists as social workers • News orgs can galvanize local agenda and serving as a sounding board • The Ledger-Enquirer in Columbus, Ga. • 1988 series “Columbus: Beyond 2000” • Followed up with public forum • Editor Jack Fuller founded civic group called United Beyond 2000
Journalists as social workers • News orgs can galvanize local agenda and serving as a sounding board • The Ledger-Enquirer in Columbus, Ga. • 1988 series “Columbus: Beyond 2000” • Followed up with public forum • Editor Jack Fuller founded civic group called United Beyond 2000 • “Seeing the public into fuller existence”
What about objectivity? • Traditional thinking says don’t get involved in community
What about objectivity? • Traditional thinking says don’t get involved in community • Len Downie, who doesn’t vote, says it shouldn’t matter to journalists whether others do or not
Notable experiments • Boston Globe inadvertently predicted Buchanan victory in 1996
Notable experiments • Boston Globe inadvertently predicted Buchanan victory in 1996 • In Wilmington, Del., town meetings on economic woes
Notable experiments • Boston Globe inadvertently predicted Buchanan victory in 1996 • In Wilmington, Del., town meetings on economic woes • In Indianapolis, Mike Tyson and race
The urge to pander • What would reader surveys have showed in Southern newspapers in the 1950s?
Who owns the agenda? • Helms-Gantt contest had broad themes of race, generational change and values
Who owns the agenda? • Helms-Gantt contest had broad themes of race, generational change and values • Michael Kelly argues that the media reduced it to a dry civics lesson — crime, taxes, health care, education
Where did civic journalism go? • Jay Rosen moved on, is now a leading apostle of citizen journalism
Where did civic journalism go? • Jay Rosen moved on, is now a leading apostle of citizen journalism • Pioneering placeblogger Lisa Williams makes familiar argument about community
