TRC recommendation is a go
My newspaper column
Two days before the Greensboro Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its far-reaching report, I was at a community meeting at Presbyterian Church of the Cross on Phillips Avenue in east Greensboro, talking with folks about the newspaper, listening to their suggestions for coverage and encouraging them to write their own stories.
I thought of that meeting when I read the Commission's report calling on the News & Record "to host a citywide citizen group that would comment on news process, content, quality and ethics." (Page 35.)
More specifically, it said, "a diverse citizen group could improve local journalism and the community-building role it can play. Citizen input should be solicited for: story development, source development, recognizing other perspectives, critique of news coverage, commentary on newspaper practices and suggestions for better addressing community concerns."
I won't take a position on the commission's other recommendations. That's a job for the newspaper's editorial board, and, more important, for citizens to discuss in community meetings and with each other. (Read Allen Johnson's opinion.)
But the idea of the newspaper convening a citizen panel is like pushing on an open door here. It fits with our initiative of transforming the newspaper and Web site into a town square, where people come to read the news, tell their stories and talk with each other.
Count us in.
We spend a fair amount of time listening to and talking with readers already.
Our phone numbers and e-mail addresses are spread throughout the newspaper. Many on staff have online blogs, enabling readers to ask questions, make comments and, generally, look behind the curtain of the newspaper. We routinely solicit the 1,000 people on our reader advisory network for suggestions and reactions to stories in the news.
Thirteen community correspondents write columns for the editorial pages. And, of course, we solicit and publish readers' comments, praise and criticism of our work.
But I suspect the commission isn't saying that citizens can't talk to us. I think the commission is saying that there is a perception that we aren't listening when citizens do talk.
Fair enough.
We often hear -- it was an underlying theme of the commission's report -- that we listen first to institutional power centers, such as the business community or City Hall. On the other side, representatives of those bodies scoff at such a notion, suggesting that we don’t listen to their points of view enough.
In reality, in discussions such as these, "listen to me" often actually means "agree with me," as an editor at another newspaper once said.
And there's the rub for a newspaper that cherishes its independence.
People tell us what we should do every day. Just last week, I heard from readers who wanted us to change our coverage of the video poker industry, the Greensboro Police Department, a high school's sporting achievements and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission process. That was all in one day.
That's not a complaint. It's the nature of journalism and readers, and I wouldn't have it any other way. But the voice of one citizen is as loud as the voice of any group. We take every suggestion seriously, and we evaluate them on their merits not on the person or group making them.
We haven't talked about the details of a citizens' group. There are newspapers that have them, and we'll do a bit of fact-finding to discover the most effective model. Suggestions are welcome. As I realized once again at the community meeting at the Presbyterian Church of the Cross, the more of you helping us, the better we are.
I'll keep you apprised as we go along. It's all a part of being the community newspaper.
Comments (6)
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Mr Robinson has deleted my comments, made in this thread earlier this morning. His discussion of news process, content and journalism ethics apparantly includes those he wants to participate in the discussion and not those he wishes to shut out,
He states that the voice of one citizen is as loud as the voice of any group, yet his concept of community isn't extended to all. That makes this editorial, and the lofty position he assures us all that he takes, a sham.
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Posted on June 4, 2006 11:57 AM
Indeed, I did. But it wasn't an attempt to stop down discussion. It was an attempt to put it all in one place, the original post where it all started. Ginger made the same comments on several posts. If you care to follow it, and I'm not sure why you would, I'll direct your attention to the conversation at "OK, I'll say it."
Posted on June 4, 2006 1:02 PM
Ginger, I too find difficulty reconciling John's words about representing the N&R's entire readership (and helping people tell their stories) with his actions.
However, John has not recently had the need to delete my comments - as I have not posted here in quite some time. It was crystal clear by what was going on that I was not welcome. When I left, I resolved never to post on this blog again (although I have been sorely tempted on several occasions). I am breaking that vow on this one occasion to address your comment in one of the links.
Following everyone's advice, I have developed my own blog, and I must say it's been very theraputic for this "whackjob". I am currently testing some theories on the relevancy of blogging. I also find some small satisfaction in providing an alternative viewpoint to the (often corporately slanted/biased) stories and editorials published in Asheboro's Courier Tribune.
I believe the term is "citizen journalism".
"Inspired" by Ed Cone, yesterday I posted my own thoughts/opinons on the TRC report: Truth With Cherries Please.
As I do not wish to "distract", I will sign off with these thoughts (from my post on the TRC project): There is a reason people talk about "the fight for justice". It ain't just gonna happen. To quote the Dixie Chicks, "They say time heals everything, but I'm still waiting". Dr. Mary Johnson is also still fighting . . . for her little piece of "justice" denied. The N&R, in its infinite journalistic wisdom, does not care about that fight. So be it.
I now resume my vow.
Posted on June 4, 2006 1:47 PM
Ginger and Mary, the News & Record doesn't chase every single story that people ask us to chase. We don't have the time, manpower or interest. To say that we listen doesn't contradict this. When I talk about a town square, I describe it the way I do above -- as a place where people come to read the news, tell their stories and talk with each other. That doesn't mean we're going to undertake every story that comes our way. But you can tell others here what you believe. Everyone who has visited this site knows Dr. Johnson's story -- she has told it to them.
Posted on June 4, 2006 4:34 PM
"Everyone who has visited this site knows Dr. Johnson's story -- she has told it to them."
And dang well it should be told. Heck it should be shouted from the roof tops and be on front page until those who have managed to escape the scrutiny are thrown out in the open and shown for what they are. I have read the story. I have listened to others who know the story although not as much as I would like but there is a story there that needs to be told loud and clear. I don't know how long it will take,but I am certain that the story will be told and justice will finally be done in this case. So Doc, you keep on telling your story and folks like me and others will continue to listen and to spread the word and someday someone with some gumption will come along and tell your story as it should have been told back when it all began.
Posted on June 4, 2006 5:26 PM
After a morning of contemplation (and encouraged by others to do so), I am compelled to break the vow just once more to share this e-mail exchange with Mr. Robinson.
Long live the King of GSO Bloggers.
I once believed in his declarations. That makes me the fool in the town square.
Posted on June 5, 2006 2:13 PM