Civic Catalyst Newsletter
Winter 1997

In Search of the Innovators

Civic journalists around the country are engaged in an unprecedented level of creativity in their quest to invent the journalism of our future.

They are challenging outmoded newsroom reflexes, redefining what is "news," exercising new writing skills, and experimenting with new ways to engage readers, viewers and listeners. I see the development of a fresh journalism that is making a difference -- to the journalists themselves and to their communities.

It has been fun to work with Ed Fouhy and scores of pioneering editors and reporters around the country in shaping this evolution. The Pew Center will continue to explore ways to shore up tattered press credibility and sustain core journalistic values.

And I will navigate a course in search of the journalistic innovators and risk-takers who are committed to their local communities and who can share their ideas with the rest of the proffesion.

-- Jan Schaffer