The Role of Newspapers in Building Citizenship 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 Journalism Aspirations 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 Phila Inquirer

Pew Center for Civic Journalism Funded 120 projects Tracked 650 projects Trained 4,000 journalists Awarded 30 Batten Awards Interactive journalism

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

Computer kiosks > Community surveys

Clickable Maps

Tax Calculators

NHPR Budget Builder

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 Diversify Sources Catalysts Connectors 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

Data Crunching Community Poll Citizen Advisors Town Halls 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

Covering the Noise Vs. Covering the Silences Master Narratives Covering the Noise Vs. Covering the Silences

The New City

Aging Matters

Deadliest Drug

Mental Checklist √ As color or furniture that you move around? 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?

2001 Pew Poll

Want more interactivity

Build Connections

More Meaningful Interaction Less Noise More Meaningful Interaction

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