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