Community Newspapers

 (These notes are compiled for the benefit of the students. This blog is a public service initiative, with no commercial interests involved) 

Community journalism is locally-oriented, professional news coverage that typically focuses on city neighborhoods, individual suburbs or small towns, rather than metropolitan, state, national or world news.

If it covers wider topics, community journalism concentrates on the effect they have on local readers. Community newspapers, often but not always publish weekly, and also tend to cover subjects larger news media do not. Some examples of topics are students on the honor roll at the local high school, school sports, crimes such as vandalism, zoning issues and other details of community life. However, such "hyperlocal" articles are sometimes dismissed as "chicken dinner" stories.

Leo Lerner, founder of Chicago's erstwhile Lerner Newspapers, used to say, "A fistfight on Clark Street is more important to our readers than a war in Europe."[1]

An increasing number of community newspapers are now owned by large media organizations, although many rural papers are still "mom and pop" operations.

Most community journalists are professionally trained reporters and editors. Some specialized training programs in community journalism have recently emerged at established undergraduate and graduate journalism programs. Community journalism should not be confused with the work of citizen journalists, who are often unpaid amateurs, or with civic journalism, although many community newspapers practice that.

At the "Emerging Mind of Community Journalism" conference in Anniston, Ala., in 2006, participants created a list characterizing community journalism: community journalism is intimate, caring, and personal; it reflects the community and tells its stories; and it embraces a leadership role.[2]

If you want more of a definition, I'm afraid it's like when someone asked Louie Armstrong for a definition of jazz. The great Satchmo is reputed to have replied something like this: 'Man, if you have to ask, it won't do me any good to try to explain.' You know community journalism when you see it; it is the heartbeat of American journalism, journalism in its natural state." — Jock Lauterer

Figures

In 1995, there were the following community papers:

124 Alternative

192 Black

160 Ethnic

43 Gay and Lesbian

132 Hispanic

106 Jewish

134 Military

155 Parenting

128 Religious

132 Senior

In the United States, about 97% of newspapers are classified as "community" newspapers, with circulations below 50,000. Others in the field say the circulation limit should be 30,000. However, in her book Saving Community Journalism, Penny Abernathy argues that most newspapers under 100,000 should consider themselves community newspapers because their reason for being is service to a community or a group of communities.

History

Community journalism got its name from a Montana editor, Ken Byerly, early in his tenure as a professor of journalism at UNC-Chapel Hill in 1957-71. Although the term is relatively new, community journalism has been around since the founding fathers. He used the term as a new name for a course that had been titled "Editing the Country Weekly" because it didn't fit the suburban newspapers that had developed in the 1950s. He chose community journalism because it fit both the weeklies and small dailies of the day.[3]

The journalism debate

Not everyone agrees on the principles or practices of community journalism. Traditionally, journalists advocate avoiding any real or perceived conflict of interests, which can be anything from refraining from joining community groups, to not pledging money to a candidate they support. Community journalism, however, encourages the coverage of news that hits close to home, even for the journalist covering the story.

Some philosophers encourage professional journalists to remain independent, whereas others insist on committing to local and generalized communities as a prerequisite for true citizenship. Some say community involvement is fine for editors and publishers, but not for the reporters who have the ability to "shape" the news. Critics say this involvement is a risk for anyone involved in producing the news.[4]

Clifford Christians, co-author of Good News Social Ethics and the Press, urges journalists to realize that their publics may gravitate toward self-interest, and therefore the journalists should report stories that lessen the isolationism that comes from reading wider, world-based stories.[5] A fundamental flaw in community journalism is the stubborn resistance to change and a compulsion to shape the system to maintain community standards.

Loyalty to a community is the inevitable price of acceptance, and the fee is creating sharp conflicts with allegiance to the truth. Through community journalism, attitudes about necessary information change from the need for a broad range of information (pluralism) to a reliance on information necessary to maintain community values and fortify the status quo (reinforcement).

Sooner or later group importance could transcend the value of distributing accurate information both internally to members of the group, and externally about the community or group.[6]

Others think the switch toward community journalism is a natural reaction to our out-of-touch mega media. J. Herbert Altschull, writer of "A Crisis of Conscience: Is Community Journalism the Answer?" sees community journalism as a natural outgrowth from concerns of the media's slippage in credibility and influence.[7]

Purpose of Community Newspapers

 Why Local Matters

Posted on November 5, 2024 | by Al DiCroce

In an era dominated by digital media and national news outlets, community newspapers remain a crucial part of our local ecosystems. These small but powerful publications are crucial for the social and cultural fabric of our communities by not only providing a platform for local voices but also fostering community engagement, promoting transparency, and supporting economic growth.

Rooted in Local Relevance

Community newspapers focus on the issues that matter most to their readers — town council decisions, local events, business openings, and school achievements. Unlike national publications that cover broad or sensational topics, community newspapers bring hyper-local stories that would otherwise go unreported. These stories inform residents about developments affecting their daily lives and help them make decisions about the issues impacting their neighborhoods.

Fostering a Sense of Community

From spotlighting local heroes to covering high school sports, community newspapers create a sense of pride and belonging. Community newspapers highlight the events, causes and stories that bring people together building a shared understanding and connection to the community.

Holding Local Power Accountable

Just as national newspapers investigate and report on federal or state matters, community newspapers serve as watchdogs for local government. They report on town council meetings, zoning decisions, school board developments, and other civic matters, keeping residents informed and holding officials accountable. This transparency builds a sense of trust and engagement within the community, ensuring that decision-makers are scrutinized and that public voices are heard.

Providing a Platform for Local Businesses

Small businesses depend on affordable advertising, and community newspapers offer just that. Advertising in a community paper reaches the right audience — local people likely to become loyal customers. Additionally, these publications often feature business spotlights, interviews with local entrepreneurs, and “Best of” contests, all of which give small businesses visibility. This mutual support between the community paper and local businesses contributes to a thriving local economy.

Championing Local Stories and People

In the midst of large, impersonal news coverage, community newspapers make space for stories of the people and places that give a community its character. Whether it’s an artist’s new gallery, a student’s academic achievements, or the retirement of a longtime volunteer, these papers celebrate the unique accomplishments of individuals who might otherwise go unrecognized. They capture the milestones and narratives that form a town’s identity.

Filling Gaps Left by Digital Media

Social media may be quick to highlight breaking news, but it lacks the depth that community newspapers provide. Unlike social media, which can be rife with misinformation, community newspapers are rooted in journalistic integrity. They report with accuracy and focus on what benefits readers in meaningful ways.

Promoting Civic Engagement

Local newspapers encourage civic engagement by educating the public on local issues. Whether it’s voting in municipal elections, attending town hall meetings, or simply volunteering, these publications provide the context that helps people understand why their participation matters. An informed and engaged population is the backbone of any community, and newspapers play an essential role in making that happen.

Supporting Literacy and Habitual Reading

Community newspapers cultivate reading habits within the community, fostering literacy and lifelong learning. Many readers, young and old, develop their knowledge of current events, history, and civics through local news. This not only strengthens individuals’ understanding but also enriches the collective knowledge of the community.

A Source of Continuity and Tradition

Community newspapers often have a deep-rooted history within their towns. Many have been around for generations, telling the stories of the community’s growth, struggles, and triumphs. They create a thread that connects past, present, and future generations, giving residents a sense of belonging and continuity.

Supporting Community Newspapers: An Investment in Local Identity

Local newspapers are essential to maintaining an informed, connected, and empowered population. Supporting them through subscriptions, readership, or advertising is an investment in your community. So, the next time you pick up a community newspaper, remember you’re holding a piece of local culture and identity, keeping you connected to what’s happening in your own backyard.

 

Organizations

The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors, which has 260 members in seven countries (U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, Japan, Australia, New Zealand), encourages and promotes independent editorial comment, news content, and leadership in community newspapers throughout the world. Its purpose is to help those involved in the community press improve standards of editorial writing and news reporting and to encourage strong, independent editorial voices.

Examples

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 dispense 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.