Community Journalism

Deborah Kirkman looks at a new guidebook

Taped to my office wall is a cartoon. Depicted is a patient talking to his psychiatrist. "How", he asks, "can I be popular, loving, trusting and kind - and still do my job as a reporter?"

This is not a particular problem for metropolitan journalists. They can separate their professional and personal lives. The demarcation is blurred, however, for journalists who work for our regional and rural newspapers. For them, there is no metropolis to lose themselves in. They are part of a smaller community. An integral part.

New to our shelves is a manual for journalists, editors, publishers and educators. Community Journalism, edited by John Hurst & Michael Provis, has filled the gap in resource material for people interested in the country press. It answers questions such as: What is the first task of cadets on a country newspaper? .. (to understand the community); What are their duties and responsibilities? .. (you name it, they do it or cover it); and then it expands on these themes.

Get to know the councillors, fire brigade, police and ambulance officers. Get to know the parliamentarians, water and marketing board people, the presidents of local associations and organisations. Get to know the local professionals, estate agents and accountants. Go to meetings, attend court, attend social gatherings. And, my favourite piece of offered advice, "With diligence, a journalist will enlist at least one important contact who is a natural news buff who enjoys gathering the stuff and seeing it published."

Community Journalism then examines topics familiar to all reporters such as the nature of news - one wag suggested "What editors say it is"; journalistic ethics; news writing; the use of sources; interviewing; and the reporting of emergencies, the courts, public gatherings, local government and sports. And, it explains basic sub-editing, the use of photographs and the writing of headlines. Underlying this examination is its sub text - the unique role of the community journalist.

In his foreword, David Sommerlad neatly sums up this brand of journalism as being "all about people and issues that affect them in a very personal way. Its very nature involves the journalist as a player as well as a reporter ... (it) is exciting because it is all-embracing; is demanding because it is constant and concentrated; but is fulfilling, if sometimes frightening, because its results are confronted directly and often face-to-face."

Are you ready to take up the challenge?

Community Journalism, Edited by John Hurst and Michael Provis. Publisher: Country Press Australia, 33 Rathdowne Street, Carlton, Victoria, 3053. First published 2000. 264 pp.

DEBORAH KIRKMAN

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