Examples of Community Journalism
Portland, ME- A publication devoted solely to state education reform was created by Maine Sunday Telegram/Portland Press Herald Editor, Lou Ureneck and Maine Council of Churches, Sarah Campbell. Their primary objective was to create study circles to dispel information to the public on the different perspectives on education:
- To prepare one for a job
- To teach lifelong learning
- To develop good citizens
- To teach the basics
This newspaper, as with many community journalism publications, has sole control over editorial content. The content itself is very important and relevant to Maine communities and revolves around “core value” choices, as determined by the community. The community journalist reporters were required to give readers a background on each perspective and to “write an expository rather than conventional he-said/she-said style.”
The publication ran more than 100 inches of factual reporting on education in Maine, as well as op-ed pieces promoting one of the four perspectives, and summary reports on the opposing viewpoint. The newspaper was received well, and, as a result, roughly 700 community members took part in the reader roundtables.
Virginia- The Virginian Pilot is a second example of a community newspaper. This publication sought to “show how the community works or could work” and to “portray democracy in the fullest sense of the word, whether in a council chamber or a cul-de-sac.”
Known as the Public Life Team, they meet with panels of citizens regularly to “tap their thoughts and dreams for the regions’ future.” Additionally, they have changed the perception of criminal sentencing from a polarized issue to one that rehabilitation advocates were in favor of. Finally, they opened a line of communication between various community members for the Hall Place neighborhood. “The Pilot got black and white residents to talk freely about the plan.” Without the assistance of the Pilot, the community would not have come to the conclusion that it “ought to be what was good for the city as a whole.”
This publication in particular has paved way for other community journalists, mainly due to its experimental nature and eagerness to give reporters the opportunity to brainstorm ideas together. Overall, the Pilot wants to improve the tone of public discourse in the Virginian community.
London, United Kingdom. Fitzrovia News is an example from a central London neighbourhood. Residents and volunteers produce a quarterly printed newspaper delivered free to all residential addresses and local businesses in the district of Fitzrovia. The paper which also has a website and social media network covers issues of concern to residents and small businesses. Originally called The Tower it is perhaps the United Kingdom's oldest community newspaper.
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