Introduction to JDDIntroduction to JDD

Part 1: Public journalismPart 1: Public journalism

Part 2: Youth, journalism, Part 2: Youth, journalism, politics politics

What do you think? What do you think?

►Do you consume news? Do you consume news? What news do you consume?What news do you consume? How do you consume news?How do you consume news? Why do you consume news?Why do you consume news? What do you think of What do you think of Grocott’s MailGrocott’s Mail, daily , daily

newspapers, weekly newspapers, TV news, radio newspapers, weekly newspapers, TV news, radio news, internet news sources, magazines? Strengths, news, internet news sources, magazines? Strengths, weaknesses? Do they “speak to you”? Do they serve weaknesses? Do they “speak to you”? Do they serve your needs? your needs?

► Are you a citizen? Of?Are you a citizen? Of?► Are you “political”?Are you “political”?►Do you belong to a community, a public? Many?Do you belong to a community, a public? Many?

Lecture overviewLecture overview

►Part 1: Why public journalism?Part 1: Why public journalism? A response to the “crisis” in mainstream press A response to the “crisis” in mainstream press

and politics;and politics; JDD bridge between fortresses of journalism and JDD bridge between fortresses of journalism and

academia – a fusion of theory and practise. academia – a fusion of theory and practise. ►Part 2: Why youth, journalism and politics?Part 2: Why youth, journalism and politics?

The crisis of youth political apathy and their The crisis of youth political apathy and their alienation from mainstream news. alienation from mainstream news.

JDD youth focus: participatory journalism by JDD youth focus: participatory journalism by young people for social change/ development. young people for social change/ development.

Public journalism: definitionsPublic journalism: definitions

From Jay Rosen (1999): “The Action of the From Jay Rosen (1999): “The Action of the Idea: Public Journalism in Built form.”Idea: Public Journalism in Built form.”

The press promotes and The press promotes and improvesimproves the the quality of public/civic life (not merely quality of public/civic life (not merely reporting on or complaining about). reporting on or complaining about).

““Journalists not merely chroniclers of the Journalists not merely chroniclers of the political scene, but players in the game political scene, but players in the game who can (and should) try to shape the who can (and should) try to shape the outcome.” outcome.”

► Rosen…Rosen… An argumentAn argument – a way of thinking about what – a way of thinking about what

journalists should be doing. journalists should be doing. An experimentAn experiment – has been tried by – has been tried by

hundreds of journalists attempting to break hundreds of journalists attempting to break out of established routines.out of established routines.

A movementA movement – loose network of journalists – loose network of journalists who want to improve their craft, academics, who want to improve their craft, academics, researchers, foundations, think tanks. researchers, foundations, think tanks.

A debateA debate – about the proper role of the – about the proper role of the press in a time of trouble (for newsrooms and press in a time of trouble (for newsrooms and democracy). democracy).

An adventureAn adventure – open-ended and – open-ended and experimental. experimental.

““Public journalism imagines a different Public journalism imagines a different kind of press, one that would:kind of press, one that would: Address people as citizens, potential Address people as citizens, potential

participants in public affairs, rather than participants in public affairs, rather than victims, spectators or consumers of victims, spectators or consumers of products.products.

Help the political community to act upon, Help the political community to act upon, rather than just learn about, its problemsrather than just learn about, its problems

Improve the climate of public discussion, Improve the climate of public discussion, rather than simply watch it deteriorate.”rather than simply watch it deteriorate.”

►But, there is no authoritative But, there is no authoritative account of what public journalism account of what public journalism is and what it is not.is and what it is not.

►There are lots of examples of There are lots of examples of public journalism practice, but public journalism practice, but little explication – this leads to little explication – this leads to inconsistencies and even inconsistencies and even contradictions in its premises and contradictions in its premises and principles. principles.

►Public journalism celebrates the Public journalism celebrates the absence of clear and precise absence of clear and precise definitions. Rosen: “We’re still definitions. Rosen: “We’re still inventing it.”inventing it.”

Common ground?Common ground?

►Agreement:Agreement: Public life needs to improve and the press Public life needs to improve and the press

needs to redefine and reinvigorate its needs to redefine and reinvigorate its commitment to democracy and commitment to democracy and democratic participation. democratic participation.

►Disagreement:Disagreement: What is “democracy”, where “public life” What is “democracy”, where “public life”

exists, or should exist, what constitutes exists, or should exist, what constitutes “participation” – and what role the press “participation” – and what role the press should play in making it all work. should play in making it all work.

Where did public journalism Where did public journalism come from?come from?

►Response to:Response to: Political alienation of citizens - disaffection Political alienation of citizens - disaffection

with American politics and press in the with American politics and press in the 1980s;1980s;

Monopolisation, commercialisation of Monopolisation, commercialisation of press and the problem of “fortress press and the problem of “fortress journalism” – press criticised by all, in journalism” – press criticised by all, in conversation with none;conversation with none;

Declining circulation.Declining circulation.

““Fortress journalism”Fortress journalism”

► Journalists rely on their professional Journalists rely on their professional (peer) culture for approval and status. (peer) culture for approval and status.

► Journalism is what journalists do, not Journalism is what journalists do, not what democracy may need done. what democracy may need done.

► Conventions of the craft are defended Conventions of the craft are defended as if they were first principles rather as if they were first principles rather than familiar practices. than familiar practices.

► Journalists want to believe that the Journalists want to believe that the nature and quality of dialogue about nature and quality of dialogue about public issues is none of their business, public issues is none of their business, that they just report the news.” that they just report the news.”

►Weak spirit of experiment in journalism Weak spirit of experiment in journalism – journalists don’t put their ideas about – journalists don’t put their ideas about democracy, citizenship, and public life democracy, citizenship, and public life at risk.at risk.

► Journalists do not regularly explain to Journalists do not regularly explain to their communities what they are trying their communities what they are trying to accomplish by doing journalism the to accomplish by doing journalism the way they do it.way they do it.

► They just do what they do, following the They just do what they do, following the rules of their profession, and define rules of their profession, and define whatever they do as “journalism”.whatever they do as “journalism”.

► Fortress disavows “weighty reflection” Fortress disavows “weighty reflection” on the proper task of the press. on the proper task of the press.

Attacking the fortressAttacking the fortress

►Smuggle some weighty terms into the Smuggle some weighty terms into the fortress: democracy, participation, fortress: democracy, participation, community, deliberation, public life.community, deliberation, public life.

►Once inside, move from the Once inside, move from the vocabulary of public journalism to the vocabulary of public journalism to the vocation of it: the real-world vocation of it: the real-world experiments and changes in practice experiments and changes in practice that both illustrate the idea and push it that both illustrate the idea and push it further. further.

Some useful questions from Some useful questions from public journalismpublic journalism

► If there are different ways of thinking If there are different ways of thinking about democracy, and each has about democracy, and each has implication for journalism, what model implication for journalism, what model of democracy should journalists adopt?of democracy should journalists adopt?

► If journalism at its best addresses us in If journalism at its best addresses us in our capacity as citizens, which forms of our capacity as citizens, which forms of journalism do address us in that way journalism do address us in that way and which do not?and which do not?

► If the press is not only an observer of If the press is not only an observer of but a participant in our political life, but a participant in our political life, what kind of participant should it be, what kind of participant should it be, playing what kind of role?playing what kind of role?

►What kind of relationship should there What kind of relationship should there be between the political community be between the political community and the journalists pledged to serve and the journalists pledged to serve that community if it is not only that community if it is not only journalism but also communities that journalism but also communities that are to thrive?are to thrive?

► And what are journalists for, anyway? And what are journalists for, anyway? What do they stand for? And what are What do they stand for? And what are they willing to stand up for, or defend, they willing to stand up for, or defend, at this moment in our democracy?at this moment in our democracy?

Making ideas publicMaking ideas public

► Jurgen Habermas’s work on the public Jurgen Habermas’s work on the public sphere – big in academic circles.sphere – big in academic circles.

►Most of these academics believe that Most of these academics believe that democracy, the media, and public life could democracy, the media, and public life could somehow be better;somehow be better;

►Habermas’s public sphere – where reason, Habermas’s public sphere – where reason, discussion, and the force of the better discussion, and the force of the better argument prevail; argument prevail;

►Habersmas’s work has itself created a public Habersmas’s work has itself created a public sphere, an academic public – his thinking is sphere, an academic public – his thinking is open to debate. open to debate.

►Habermas is updated, corrected. But, this Habermas is updated, corrected. But, this movement of thought is not open to many movement of thought is not open to many others outside the institution. others outside the institution.

►One has to master a lot of material, become One has to master a lot of material, become familiar with the discourse, to get into the familiar with the discourse, to get into the game. game.

► Public sphere is an issue reserved for Public sphere is an issue reserved for professors by the density of the treatment. professors by the density of the treatment.

► Journalists would have a hard time joining in Journalists would have a hard time joining in the discussion – academic work on Habermas the discussion – academic work on Habermas and the public sphere is not made for their and the public sphere is not made for their use. use.

► Fortress (or ivory tower) of critical theory.Fortress (or ivory tower) of critical theory.

Making ideas public: the Making ideas public: the Lippmann-Dewey debateLippmann-Dewey debate

►Walter Lippmann 1922 Walter Lippmann 1922 Public OpinionPublic Opinion Sceptical about citizen’s (rational and Sceptical about citizen’s (rational and

deliberative) capacities deliberative) capacities ““The common interest very largely eludes public The common interest very largely eludes public

opinion entirely and can be managed only by a opinion entirely and can be managed only by a specialised class.”specialised class.”

““Only the insider can make the decision, not Only the insider can make the decision, not because he is the better man (sic), but because because he is the better man (sic), but because he is so placed that he can understand and can he is so placed that he can understand and can act. The public must be put in its place so that act. The public must be put in its place so that each of us may live free of the trampling and the each of us may live free of the trampling and the roar of a bewildered herd.”roar of a bewildered herd.”

Democrats must posit some sort of wisdom in the Democrats must posit some sort of wisdom in the hearts of ordinary peoplehearts of ordinary people

► John Dewey 1927 John Dewey 1927 The Public and its The Public and its ProblemsProblems A call to improve citizen capacities A call to improve citizen capacities

through the enrichment of public culture.through the enrichment of public culture. Public opinion is formed only in discussion, Public opinion is formed only in discussion,

when it is made active in community life. when it is made active in community life. Purpose of a news story is not to represent Purpose of a news story is not to represent

and inform, but to signal, tell a story, and inform, but to signal, tell a story, activate inquiry (systematic conversation).activate inquiry (systematic conversation).

The press – by seeing its role as that of The press – by seeing its role as that of informing the public – abandons its role as informing the public – abandons its role as an agency for carrying on the conversation an agency for carrying on the conversation of our culture. of our culture.

Bringing down the twin Bringing down the twin towerstowers

►Mutual breakdown of “fortress Mutual breakdown of “fortress journalism”, a product of craft culture, journalism”, a product of craft culture, and the academic fortress in which and the academic fortress in which public sphere theory resided, an public sphere theory resided, an outcome of the university’s preferred outcome of the university’s preferred ways of knowing. ways of knowing.

Examples of public journalism Examples of public journalism projectsprojects

► ““We the people” (Madison, Wisconsin)We the people” (Madison, Wisconsin) Began in 1992 as a one-time presidential Began in 1992 as a one-time presidential

election effort; election effort; Currently an ongoing cycle of four projects a year Currently an ongoing cycle of four projects a year

to inform citizens and increase public to inform citizens and increase public deliberation about elections and issues;deliberation about elections and issues;

Techniques: town-hall meetings, candidate Techniques: town-hall meetings, candidate debates, interactive civic exercises (eg. citizen debates, interactive civic exercises (eg. citizen jury on the local budget or on development plan); jury on the local budget or on development plan);

Public radio and television partners. Public radio and television partners.

► Taking back our neighbourhoods Taking back our neighbourhoods (Charlotte NC)(Charlotte NC) Covering elections from the standpoint of Covering elections from the standpoint of

citizen concerns;citizen concerns; Purpose: pinpoint the sources of violent Purpose: pinpoint the sources of violent

crime in Charlotte and encourage the crime in Charlotte and encourage the community to respond with solutions;community to respond with solutions;

Intensive reports on high-crime Intensive reports on high-crime neighbourhoods and the formulation of neighbourhoods and the formulation of ‘needs lists’ for each neighbourhood to ‘needs lists’ for each neighbourhood to offer area residents and agencies some offer area residents and agencies some concrete ways to help.concrete ways to help.

►Facing our future Facing our future (Binghampton, NY)(Binghampton, NY) Identifying community problems Identifying community problems

through newspaper surveys, call-ins through newspaper surveys, call-ins and focus groups;and focus groups;

Formed citizen teams to devise Formed citizen teams to devise solutions to these problems, solutions to these problems, reporting in depth on the relevant reporting in depth on the relevant issues and encouraging local leaders issues and encouraging local leaders and citizens to work together to map and citizens to work together to map out the road ahead.out the road ahead.

Youth, journalism, politicsYouth, journalism, politics

► Buckingham (2000): Buckingham (2000): The Making of Citizens: The Making of Citizens: Young People, the News and PoliticsYoung People, the News and Politics.. Pessimism about decline of democracy, ‘civic Pessimism about decline of democracy, ‘civic

virtue’, ‘social capital’ in late modernity – lower virtue’, ‘social capital’ in late modernity – lower levels of political knowledge and participation.levels of political knowledge and participation.

Youth seen as ignorant, apathetic – growth of Youth seen as ignorant, apathetic – growth of “cynical chic”. “cynical chic”. TV entertainment blamed. Do TV entertainment blamed. Do youth substitute vicarious experience for youth substitute vicarious experience for authentic social interaction and community life?authentic social interaction and community life?

News journalism: News journalism: ►No longer a grand educational and political mission, or a No longer a grand educational and political mission, or a

guarantor of healthy democracy, or a producer of guarantor of healthy democracy, or a producer of ‘informed citizens’?‘informed citizens’?

►Concern about young people’s declining interest in Concern about young people’s declining interest in broadsheet newspapers and ‘flagship’ television news broadsheet newspapers and ‘flagship’ television news broadcasts. broadcasts.

Are traditional notions of citizenship still Are traditional notions of citizenship still relevant? relevant?

Definitions: MDefinitions: Membership in a political embership in a political community which carries with it rights to community which carries with it rights to political participation. Citizenship often political participation. Citizenship often also implies working towards the also implies working towards the betterment of community through betterment of community through participation, volunteer work, and efforts participation, volunteer work, and efforts to improve life for all citizens. to improve life for all citizens.

Decline of rational public Decline of rational public spheresphere

► This view of decline is based on conception of public This view of decline is based on conception of public sphere as a domain of open, rational communication.sphere as a domain of open, rational communication.

► Habermas’s ideal citizen conceived as a rational Habermas’s ideal citizen conceived as a rational public individual who dutifully exercises his (sic) civic public individual who dutifully exercises his (sic) civic responsibilities, while eschewing such dubious responsibilities, while eschewing such dubious practices as story-telling or entertainment. practices as story-telling or entertainment.

► But, the public-private, personal-political distinctions But, the public-private, personal-political distinctions have been attacked by feminists as they reflect have been attacked by feminists as they reflect gender bias.gender bias.

► Should news embrace more popular, entertaining Should news embrace more popular, entertaining formats (enable us to engage more with private formats (enable us to engage more with private concerns) OR is this a sign of the decline of concerns) OR is this a sign of the decline of democratic societies?democratic societies?

Youth alienation from newsYouth alienation from news

► Should we reject rationalistic position and Should we reject rationalistic position and distinction between ‘public’ and ‘private’? Will this distinction between ‘public’ and ‘private’? Will this lead to more participatory or democratic lead to more participatory or democratic possibilities?possibilities?

► Newly emergent popular forms of news journalism Newly emergent popular forms of news journalism appeal to young, who are alienated from appeal to young, who are alienated from conventional forms of political discourse. conventional forms of political discourse.

► But, Colin Sparks presents a modernised version of But, Colin Sparks presents a modernised version of Habermasian position – he bemoans growing Habermasian position – he bemoans growing separation between the ‘quality’ and the ‘popular’ separation between the ‘quality’ and the ‘popular’ press. Decline of quality press in the face of press. Decline of quality press in the face of increasing commercialisation. increasing commercialisation.

► Tabloids cover human interest stories and the Tabloids cover human interest stories and the immediate issues of daily life (ignore serious immediate issues of daily life (ignore serious political issues).political issues).

► Is entertainment replacing information?Is entertainment replacing information?► ‘‘The disparate pursuits of the individual come to The disparate pursuits of the individual come to

occupy the space once filled by the citizen’.occupy the space once filled by the citizen’.► Societies diversify, audiences fragment – sphere Societies diversify, audiences fragment – sphere

of private individuals, political quietude.of private individuals, political quietude.► But, Fiske offers alternative to Habermasian But, Fiske offers alternative to Habermasian

approach – challenges the ‘subjected, believing, approach – challenges the ‘subjected, believing, reading relations’ that it attempts to foster. reading relations’ that it attempts to foster.

► Realist discourse of the news presenter attempts Realist discourse of the news presenter attempts to repress the chaos of unruly events.to repress the chaos of unruly events.

► But, residual openness can be exploited by the But, residual openness can be exploited by the ‘undisciplined’ reader – learn to treat news texts ‘undisciplined’ reader – learn to treat news texts with freedom and irreverence. with freedom and irreverence.

►2 positions – 2 very different 2 positions – 2 very different constructions of the role of the constructions of the role of the audience/ citizenaudience/ citizen Fiske’s ideal reader in search of hedonistic Fiske’s ideal reader in search of hedonistic

pleasure – tabloid news produces a pleasure – tabloid news produces a disbelieving subject, tone of sceptical disbelieving subject, tone of sceptical laughter, its pleasure that of not being laughter, its pleasure that of not being taken in. taken in.

Sparks’s ideal reader is close to Sparks’s ideal reader is close to Habermas’s rational citizen, eschewing Habermas’s rational citizen, eschewing entertainment for an objective analysis of entertainment for an objective analysis of issues of public concern. issues of public concern.

► Buckingham: How might connections be drawn Buckingham: How might connections be drawn between the micro-politics of everyday life and between the micro-politics of everyday life and the macro-politics of social structure and the macro-politics of social structure and political action?political action?

► If we concentrate on micro-level – personal If we concentrate on micro-level – personal politics, struggle to gain control over one’s politics, struggle to gain control over one’s immediate conditions of existence – could immediate conditions of existence – could news become more popular and more news become more popular and more entertaining? entertaining?

► Examples of tabloid forms, soap opera as a Examples of tabloid forms, soap opera as a means of engaging with readers’ everyday means of engaging with readers’ everyday lived experience – mounts a challenge to what lived experience – mounts a challenge to what counts as serious journalism, or what counts counts as serious journalism, or what counts as politics.as politics.

►Questions view that audience for popular Questions view that audience for popular forms is ignorant and culturally deprived. forms is ignorant and culturally deprived.

► Serious news has a lot to learn from more Serious news has a lot to learn from more informal, less monotonously reassuring informal, less monotonously reassuring approaches of popular forms. approaches of popular forms.

But… But…

► Could tabloidisation of press or of TV news Could tabloidisation of press or of TV news be part of cultural and political decline?be part of cultural and political decline?

► Popular news could be seen as a form of Popular news could be seen as a form of political cynicism and moral conservatism.political cynicism and moral conservatism.

►What are the consequences of such What are the consequences of such audience activity (political action/ audience activity (political action/ participation)?participation)?

► There is personal politics in such material – There is personal politics in such material – but is it progressive?but is it progressive?

► The Daily SunThe Daily Sun may give voice to a degree of may give voice to a degree of resentment against the powerful, but the resentment against the powerful, but the crucial question is what they propose we crucial question is what they propose we should do about it. should do about it.

►Micro politics should not become a Micro politics should not become a substitute for macro politics – must build substitute for macro politics – must build connections between the two. connections between the two.

► Fiske’s polarity between the educational and Fiske’s polarity between the educational and the popular, between informing people and the popular, between informing people and making things relevant to them is dubious. making things relevant to them is dubious.

► A stance of boredom and deliberate A stance of boredom and deliberate ignorance may well represent a strategic ignorance may well represent a strategic response to exclusion and alienation from response to exclusion and alienation from the adult sphere of political debate. the adult sphere of political debate.

►Or they may be struggling to connect their Or they may be struggling to connect their everyday understandings with the official everyday understandings with the official discourse of politics – relationship between discourse of politics – relationship between the personal and the political. the personal and the political.

The limits of politicsThe limits of politics► Youth are alienated from politics, but do they simply Youth are alienated from politics, but do they simply

have a radically different conception of the have a radically different conception of the relationship between the public and the private?relationship between the public and the private?

► More inclusive notion of politics – includes daily More inclusive notion of politics – includes daily experience. experience.

► Young people’s views on unemployment, racism and Young people’s views on unemployment, racism and marriage could be seen to be implicitly political. marriage could be seen to be implicitly political.

► Politics defined as “means by which humans regulate, Politics defined as “means by which humans regulate, attempt to regulate and challenge with a view to attempt to regulate and challenge with a view to changing unequal power relationships” (Bhavnani).changing unequal power relationships” (Bhavnani).

► Personal issues can become political by virtue of the Personal issues can become political by virtue of the discourses in which they are framed and defined – discourses in which they are framed and defined – particularly by virtue of discourse that define particularly by virtue of discourse that define individual experiences in terms of wider collective or individual experiences in terms of wider collective or social categories. social categories.

► New social movements reframe issues New social movements reframe issues previously seen as personal as political. But, previously seen as personal as political. But, personal is not automatically political. personal is not automatically political.

► Process of definition is one of contest and Process of definition is one of contest and struggle. struggle.

► Banal conclusion that “everything is political”. Banal conclusion that “everything is political”. ► To celebrate domain of personal and To celebrate domain of personal and

subjective as though it were inherently and subjective as though it were inherently and inevitably political is a recipe for political inevitably political is a recipe for political quietism. quietism.

► Sustain meaningful distinctions between Sustain meaningful distinctions between personal and political. personal and political.

► Central educational issues is of building Central educational issues is of building connections between these domains (micro-connections between these domains (micro-politics of everyday life and macro-politics of politics of everyday life and macro-politics of political institutions and collective political political institutions and collective political action). action).

Youth participatory journalism Youth participatory journalism as democracy and developmentas democracy and development►Participatory/ empowerment paradigm:Participatory/ empowerment paradigm:

Focus on unequal power dynamics.Focus on unequal power dynamics. Goal is no longer information delivery and Goal is no longer information delivery and

diffusion.diffusion. Work at the grassroots so people and Work at the grassroots so people and

organisations there may eventually have a organisations there may eventually have a voice in political, economic, and ideological voice in political, economic, and ideological processes. processes.

Implies change where community members Implies change where community members influence the agenda, design and processes.influence the agenda, design and processes.

Product or process? Participation-as-end?Product or process? Participation-as-end?

What is empowerment?What is empowerment?

► Provides skills, confidence and Provides skills, confidence and countervailing power to deal effectively with countervailing power to deal effectively with social change in a world that distributes social change in a world that distributes needs, resources and power unequally;needs, resources and power unequally;

► Privileges multiple voices and perspectives Privileges multiple voices and perspectives and facilitates equal sharing of knowledge and facilitates equal sharing of knowledge and solution alternatives among participants and solution alternatives among participants in process. in process.

► Your role (JMS3 students, journalist, media Your role (JMS3 students, journalist, media professional, development communicator?) professional, development communicator?) A facilitator, collaborator, advocate.A facilitator, collaborator, advocate.

What works in youth mediaWhat works in youth media

Christiane Amanpour: “What Works in Youth Media: Case

Studies from Around the World looks at how young people are harnessing the power of media to educate the public about issues they care about. It also explores the tremendous power of youth media programs to promote young people’s personal growth and development—to equip them with essential “skills for life” that will enable them to succeed.

“Those programs profiled here aren’t as much about teaching young people journalism skills, as about enabling young people’s voices to be heard, and helping them to learn and grow in positive ways.

“While many of the young people engaged in these programs may never pursue a career in journalism, most will apply the skills they’ve gained in their relationships with others, in their school lives, and future work environments.

“For many, the experience they gain in analyzing and presenting the news will make them more informed consumers of the news they receive, and more active citizens in their communities and nations. Youth media programs serve as a vital entry point from which youth learn about themselves and the world around them.

These programs capitalize on young people’s creativity, passion, and idealism, offering their valuable perspectives on some of the most critical issues of our time—education, the environment, human rights, child abuse, the growing divide between rich and poor, and the impact of globalization.