"In contrast to the top-down approach newsrooms have traditionally deployed, Community-Centered Journalism offers a more people-cen tered approach focused on meeting the demonstrable needs and priorities of communities. Instead of newsrooms assuming they know what information people need, they gather this knowledge through a comprehensive process incorporating deep listening and collaboration, as well as ongoing engagement and feedback. Andrea Wenzel of Temple University, a leading proponent of Community-Centered Journalism, describes this as “journalism produced with and for communities.” Through these efforts, journalists seek to actively build trust and credibility by producing news and information that is relevant and beneficial to the daily lives of the communities they are working with. Although the methods used to deliver these goals may be different, this activity is in line with what the American Press Institute notes is a core purpose of journalism: “To provide citizens with the information they need to make the best possible decisions about their lives, their communities, their societies, and their governments.” Establishing and meeting community information needs takes time. But an inclusive process is fundamental to under standing the stories and issues that matter to communities, and in determining how to best tackle them. That might include building relationships with communities and local partners (such as non-profits, government agencies, busi nesses and libraries). It also means meeting people where they are (e.g., language, delivery format, etc.) to maximize impact." (Pages 10-11)
What is Community-Centered Journalism? And why does it matter? 10
What is Community-Centered Journalism? 10
What does Community-Centered Journalism look like? 12
How is this a different form of journalism? 15
Why does this matter? 21
Why is Community-Centered Journalism part of the future of journalism? 23
10 steps to practicing Community-Centered Journalism, 27