Will Citizen Journalism Subsume Civic Journalism?
Jeff South is the newly elected chair of the AEJMC’s Civic Journalism Interest Group; here are his thoughts about the civic, citizen journalism name change:
I think our group’s proposed new name — the Civic and Citizen Journalism Interest Group — is a big tent…I see civic journalism and citizen journalism as substantially overlapping circles. I think the new name will give us impetus to explore how they overlap, and how they diverge.
I wonder though if they are overlapping circles or will citizen journalism take over the professional and academic discussion in such a way that civic journalism will become a subset of citizen journalism–whether we want it to or not?
Jan Schaffer adds:
I think civic and citizen journalism can be overlapping circles, but might not always be. I don’t think they are synonymous, albeit they are sympathetic.
There are many ways to engage citizens — through deliberation, through activities, through contributions of ideas, expertise, stories, through empowerment — even through citizen editorial-page crusades like the Dallas Morning News’.
Perhaps an overarching question for the group is: What is our mission? To research, teach and spotlight ways that journalism can advance public life?
To help citizens be active participants in public issues or passive spectators?
Or to research, teach, spotlight emerging trends, that include civic journalism and citizens journalism?
I share a concern that 1) the names might be viewed as synonymous or 2) one might become a subset of the other.
Maybe a focus on what the group wants as its mission would inform the appropriate name.
