Local journalism "can play an important role" in reversing the news media's lower-than ever standing among the public, driven by attacks alleging "fake news" by "enemies of the people," Damian Radcliffe, a journalism professor at the University of Oregon, writes for The Conversation.
"Local journalists are often the only journalists that most people will ever meet," Radcliffe notes. "So they play a significant role in how the wider profession is perceived. For Caitlyn May, editor of the Cottage Grove Sentinel in Oregon, this means 'It’s essential that journalists leave the office and go out into the community.'” May has an informal “Meet the Editor” discussion at a local coffee shop each month.
"To succeed, local news providers must be relentlessly local and offer something different if they want people to pay for their product. They also need to be more visible, embracing opportunities for real life engagement and consciously diversifying the range of people they interview.
"According to a 2006 study by journalism professors Don Heider, Maxwell McCombs and Paula Poindexter, this means that investigative and watchdog reporting should appear alongside stories that demonstrate “caring about your community, highlighting interesting people and groups in the community, understanding the local community, and offering solutions to community problems.”
"That way, local journalists act as a check on those in power and create an informed citizenry, while also fostering a sense of community."
"Local journalists are often the only journalists that most people will ever meet," Radcliffe notes. "So they play a significant role in how the wider profession is perceived. For Caitlyn May, editor of the Cottage Grove Sentinel in Oregon, this means 'It’s essential that journalists leave the office and go out into the community.'” May has an informal “Meet the Editor” discussion at a local coffee shop each month.
Radcliffe has other, more explicit, recommendations, with links to other works, including his own:
"To succeed, local news providers must be relentlessly local and offer something different if they want people to pay for their product. They also need to be more visible, embracing opportunities for real life engagement and consciously diversifying the range of people they interview.
"According to a 2006 study by journalism professors Don Heider, Maxwell McCombs and Paula Poindexter, this means that investigative and watchdog reporting should appear alongside stories that demonstrate “caring about your community, highlighting interesting people and groups in the community, understanding the local community, and offering solutions to community problems.”
"That way, local journalists act as a check on those in power and create an informed citizenry, while also fostering a sense of community."
from The Rural Blog https://ift.tt/2QrfP53 Local journalists' engagement with their communities can counter false attacks on news media, journalism prof writes - Entrepreneur Generations
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