Introduction to in Community Media Hello!

Dr Heather Anderson Dr Bridget Backhaus Griffith University

2 Webinar outline

What is community journalism? How is it different? ◂ Why is community journalism important? The course ◂ Outline ◂ Webinars ◂ Assessment ◂ Outcomes/feedback ◂

◂ 3 What is community journalism?

Community geographic com m unities of interest ◂ ◂

4 What is community journalism?

“Community journalism is intimate, caring, and personal. It reflects the community and tells it stories, and it embraces a leadership role.” (Lowrey, Brozana & Mackay 2008, p.276)

Wilson Lowrey, Amanda Brozana & Jenn B. Mackay (2008) Toward a Measure of Community Journalism, Mass Communication and Society, 11:3, 275 -299, DOI: 10.1080/15205430701668105

5 What is community journalism?

Community journalism is a c c e ssib le people focused ◂ accountable ◂ good journalism ! ◂ ◂

6 How is it different?

Community journalism fills in the gaps lo ca l co ve ra g e in ve st ig a t io n s ◂ co ve ra g e o f m a rg in a lise d g ro u p s ◂ gaps that emerge from the framing of ◂ ce rt a in st o rie s in p a rt icu la r w a ys ◂

7 Example: Radio Seeds, WOW -FM

8 Example: Powerhouse Radio, Online

9 Community journalism is important

Providing alternative sources of local and information ◂ Connecting community members and creating community ◂ More accurately representing Australia's diversity ◂ Meadows, M., Forde, S., Ewart, J. and Foxwell, K. 2007, Community Media Matters: An Audience Study of the Australian Community Broadcasting Sector, Griffith University, Brisbane. 10 Top tips for community

Be passionate Be curious ◂ Don’t constrain yourself ◂ ◂

11 Top tips for community journalists - B

Always be listening for stories

◂ Check and double -check your equipment ◂ Don’t be afraid of silence ◂ Be critical about balance ◂ “Do you have anything else to add?” ◂

12 About the course

Five modules: 1. What is community journalism? 2. Radio journalism 3. Practical skills 4. News bulletins 5. Current affairs

13 Module 2: Radio journalism

Writing for radio

A◂ teacher at Community was the subject of student complaints that her courses were too much fun. Community Journalism School students say one of their teachers is just too much fun.

14 Module 3: Practical skills

Interviewing 101 - preparation, questions, tips and tricks ◂ Recording audio on your smartphone and using online tools ◂ audio

◂ Assessment item 1: Edited interview ◂ 15 Module 4: News bulletins

What is a community news bulletin?

◂ Knowing your audience ◂ Structuring a bulletin and developing stories ◂ Assessment item 2: News bulletin

◂

16 Module 5: Current affairs

What is community current affairs?

◂ Developing a story idea and sources ◂ Narrative structure and sonic storytelling ◂ Assessment item 3: Current affairs story idea pitch ◂

17 Optional final challenge: Produce your current affairs story!

18 What the students are saying

“I've learned a massive amount through participating in the course. Loved Heather and Bridget's lectures. All the guest speakers have been awesome. Martin has given me some great feedback on assignments and just working on these has helped me to refine my thinking about my current projects.

Merryn has been a rock. What a kind and knowledgeable soul. And I'd like to thank CMTO for giving me a shot and fanning my kindling interest in community journalism into a flame.”

19 More info?

CMTO website cmto.org.au

◂ Contact course coordinator, Merryn McDonnell [email protected] ◂

20 Thanks!

Any questions? [email protected] [email protected] ◂ ◂

21