Civic Catalyst: Fall 2000

A Journalist's ToolBox: Building New Routines and Reflexes
Retool some core competencies. This new 4-video Journalist's ToolBox will help journalists ask better questions, find better sources, discover new stories and report them better. It draws on the experiences of working journalists in Charlotte, Norfolk, Tampa, and Orange County, CA. By Dana Clark Felty.

Neighborhood Newsroom's First Grads
A look at the Savannah Morning News' innovative program that brings community members into the newsroom, training them to become journalists and benefiting from their diversity of experiences. By Pat Ford.

Civic Journalist Turns Civic Mayor
A look at how Wayne Poston, former editor of the Bradenton Herald, has incorporated the lessons of civic journalism into his new job as Bradenton's mayor. By Pat Ford.

Mapping Key Moments in Young Lives
The Spokesman-Review explores the critical times in a child's development that can make the difference between a future of success or failure. The 10-part series responded to the community's concerns of how early intervention might reduce the future prison population. By Pat Ford.

Bringing Viewers Back to Local TV News
NewsLab's Deborah Potter discusses research showing some of the reasons for declining viewership and a possible roadmap for bringing viewers back.

What's New in Pew Projects
An update on the progress of the Pew Center's 2000 projects.

Kent State to Host 2001 Batten Awards
The 2001 Batten Awards program will be held April 19 at Kent State University focusing on "Media and Democracy: Civic Journalism in a Digital Age."

Civic Journalism Workshops
An overview of three Pew workshops held this summer in Philadelphia, Minneapolis, and Phoenix.

TV Stations Try New Political Coverage
Updates from five TV stations participating with Best Practices 2000 experimenting with innovative election coverage.

What's Coming? Will We Be Ready for It? Equipping Journalists for the New Communications Era
Highlights of keynote remarks by Anders Gyllenhaal, Executive Editor of The News & Observer, Raleigh, NC at the AEJMC Convention in Phoenix.

Civic Journalism: Building Ratings, Revenue
Ray Depa, General Manager of KGUN9 News reports on how the station used civic journalism techniques to repair relations with the community as well as build ratings and revenue.

Bringing New Immigrants into the Debate
The St. Paul Pioneer Press opened a dialogue with the community about the "New Face of Minnesota." Pat Ford reports on the paper's civic coverage of the community impact of a growing immigrant population.

Mapping Pay Off: Better Stories
An update on how the Civic Mapping Seminars and the techniques of civic mapping have improved newsroom reflexes and daily journalism. By Pat Ford.

Sounding Off on Schools
Laura Tutor of The Anniston Star reports on how the paper provided a forum for the community to voice their concerns on a proposed school system merger.