Journalism’s Role in Strengthening Local Democracy

As discussed in the National Civic League’s publication, the Civic Index, authentic communication is essential for building trust and enabling residents to take action. Healthy communities need credible civic-minded sources of information presented in a way that residents can use.

In a new collection of essays published by the Kettering Foundation, Reinventing Journalism to Strengthen Democracy: Insights from Innovators, the authors, all journalists, reflect openly and honestly on their attempts to find ways that journalism can better serve democracy. Their reflections offer insights into how journalism, with shifts in its professional mind-set and practices, might help repair our civic fabric and strengthen democracy, a task that has seldom felt more urgent.

This webinar will provide an overview of the book’s reflections and feature examples of how innovative sources of local news are playing an important role in covering civic affairs in a way that is not only positive, but also encourages civic engagement by local residents.