Civic Journalism The Role of Newspapers in Building Citizenship.
Post on 29-Mar-2015
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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
CharlotteObserver
NorfolkVirginian-Pilot
PhiladelphiaInquirerMayor’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
ClickableMaps
Tax Calculators
NHPR Budget Builder
Definition:Civic JournalismNews 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 OurNeighborhoods
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
Master Narratives
Covering the NoiseVs.
Covering the Silences
The New City
Aging Matters
DeadliestDrug
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 ChecklistDo 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?
Q33b. For The Future, Do You Believe The Health Of The Newspaper Business Depends On...
90%
0%
10%
More Interactivity With ReadersLess InteractivityThe Same As Now
2001 Pew Poll
Q33a. Are You Satisfied With Your Newsroom's Level Of Interactivity With Readers?
27%
73%
YesNo
Want more interactivity
Build Connections
ATTACHMENTS RELATIONSHIPS AUDIENCE
ENTRY POINTS
Less Noise
More Meaningful Interaction
The Institute for Interactive
Journalismwww.j-lab.orgwww.j-lab.org
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