Well before the current interest in civic journalism, one journalist began talking about how the media needed to change, to begin once again reconnecting to citizens. The late Jim Batten, as chairman and chief executive of Knight-Ridder Inc., talked about how journalism could be a vital building block in revitalizing citizenship -- while maintaining its ability to tell hard truths.

"I think we need to cultivate a journalistic ethic that celebrates the magic of writers and editors and photographers and artists who are blessed with the gift of connecting -- not just wafting self-indulgent messages out of the newsroom's door," Jim Batten said in a seminal speech on April 3, 1989, at the University of California, Riverside. That address outlines much of the philosophy of what has come to be known as civic journalism.

Batten's vision helped to move forward the Pew Center for Civic Journalism, enabling it to work with news organizations around the country in experimenting with ways to connect better with citizens.

To honor Batten and his journalistic ideals, The Pew Charitable Trusts established the James K. Batten Award for Excellence in Civic Journalism with an accompanying symposium to educate journalists and spotlight some of the best civic journalism efforts in the country. The Trusts have directed $25,000 a year to the award program.

Batten Award Advisory Board

Jeannine Guttman
Executive Editor/VP
The Portland Newspapers

Teresa M. Hanafin
Editorial Director
Boston.com

Amy McCombs
Former President and General Manager
KRON-TV (NBC)

W. Davis Merritt
Former Editor
The Wichita Eagle

John X. Miller
Public Editor
Detroit Free Press

Bill Mitchell
Online Editor
The Poynter Institute

Jack Nelson
Former Chief Washington Correspondent
Los Angeles Times

Joe Ritchie
Knight Professor in Journalism
Florida A&M University

Jan Schaffer
Executive Director
Pew Center for Civic Journalism

Steve Smith
Editor
The Spokesman-Review

Terence Smith
Media Correspondent, Senior Producer
The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer

Mizell Stewart, III
Managing Editor
Tallahassee Democrat

Sponsorship

The James K. Batten Award Program is a project of the Pew Center for Civic Journalism, which is an initiative of The Pew Charitable Trusts. The Pew Center maintains responsibility for the program's impartiality and integrity.