How To Report First, and Best, What's Happening In Your Community

A PEW CENTER FOR CIVIC JOURNALISM WORKBOOK
PREPARED BY THE HARWOOD GROUP

FOREWORD

INTRODUCTION

NINE IDEAS FOR STRENGTHENING JOURNALISM

Tapping Civic Life  is divided into two main sections, followed by an assessment worksheet.

I. WHAT CIVIC LIFE OFFERS JOURNALISTS
Lays out four civic life frameworks that form the foundation for this work and can be used as a newsroom reference.

II. WHAT JOURNALISTS CAN DO TO TAP CIVIC LIFE
Outlines a step-by-step approach to help journalists find their community's civic life and understand the implications of tapping into it.

APPENDIX: IS THIS THE RIGHT TIME?
Provides an assessment worksheet to figure out if now is the right time to pursue this work in your newsroom.

ABOUT THE HARWOOD GROUP/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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Throughout the workbook, journalists will find three kinds of sidebars to help them tap their community's civic life.

MOVING AHEAD. Guideposts and cautions for newsroom efforts when tapping into civic life.

JOURNALISTS' CHALLENGE. Challenges that journalists will face in implementing the approaches in the workbook.

THE WICHITA EXPERIENCE. Highlights of The Wichita Eagle's  experience with tapping into its community's civic life and how the Eagle pushed forward at key points.