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1: Defining Community Journalism

  • Page ID
    265041
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    Introduction

    You probably have a good idea of what it means when you hear, "journalism." The same is true for, "community." But when you look at words more closely, something strange can happen. All of the sudden, what you thought you already knew so clearly can blur. It might even become a source of debate to look at words more closely. Does it really mean what thought you meant?

    So let's start by being clear. I looked up and chose the closest definitions for "journalism" and "community" from the Oxford English Dictionary for our purposes.

    Definition: Journalism (noun)

    The occupation or profession of a journalist; journalistic writing; newspapers and periodicals collectively.

    Does that sound about right to you? The Oxford English Dictionary keeps this definition very simple and offers no other options for what the word might mean in modern times. That does not mean the conversation is over. As a class, it would be a good idea to see if there are any additions or subtractions from this simple definition that would make it more relevant to the world we live in today.

    Now get ready, because it will get a little more complicated with the next word.

    Definition: Community (noun)

    I.2.b. A body of people who live in the same place, usually sharing a common cultural or ethnic identity. Hence: a place where a particular body of people lives.

    I.6. The civic body to which all belong; the public; society.

    I.8. An online facility, such as an electronic bulletin board, forum, or chat room, where users can share information or discuss topics of mutual interest.

    II.9.a. Life in association with others; the social state. Frequently as "in community."

    II.9.b. Social cohesion; mutual support and affinity such as is derived from living in a community.

    II.12. The fact of being in communion; social intercourse; fellowship, amity.

    See what I mean? Even more definitions could have fit, but this is enough to make the point: When we talk about community, it can mean many different things to different people. When you modify "journalism" with "community," it gets even trickier.

    In this chapter, we are going to read two different sources. First, let's take a look at the core concepts of journalism as they have been practiced over the past century through the Handbook of American Journalism.

    • 1.1: News
      This page defines news as novel information about recent events that serves the public interest in journalism, and traces the historical development of newsgathering as a profession. It differentiates between "news" and "the news," highlighting the cultural and contextual variations in newsworthiness. Additionally, it emphasizes that the power to define "the news" significantly influences societal understanding and priorities, presenting news as a vital form of societal knowledge.
    • 1.2: Journalism
      This page outlines the multifaceted nature of journalism, highlighting its varied definitions influenced by product, production, institutions, activities, and ideology. It emphasizes that journalism is a fluid concept shaped by social, cultural, and technological changes, and varies across forms such as sports or data journalism, each with distinct practices.
    • 1.3: Audiences
      This page highlights the dual impact of technology on media audiences and journalists, emphasizing increased engagement and access to diverse content but also raising concerns about audience agency and the shaping of perceptions by algorithms. It points out the shift from private to public feedback dynamics, which fosters participation but can also lead to harassment.
    • 1.4: Journalistic Activities
      This page outlines the nature of journalistic activities, characterized by routinized practices that shape news creation and dissemination. It details five essential stages of journalism: access and observation, selection and filtering, processing and editing, distribution, and interpretation.
    • 1.5: Community-Centered Journalism
      This page introduces community journalism, highlighting its collaborative nature and varied approaches. It encourages exploration of additional resources, specifically a video and article titled "Reimagining Journalism: taking a community-centered approach," which delve deeper into community-focused journalism principles. The main focus is on how journalism can effectively serve and engage local communities, emphasizing shared values and connections.


    1: Defining Community Journalism is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Michael Humphrey, Johnson County Community College.

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