1997 Batten Award Winner
The Bradenton Herald, FL
“Decision Downtown”
“For an excellent and nimble example of the principles of civic journalism being applied in an action-oriented way…”
With the Bradenton City Council on the verge of signing a contract to build a new city hall-fire-police complex on prime waterfront land, the newspaper acted on good civic journalism reflexes. The paper had no particular interest in where the facility would be built, but it did recognize that the decision had had no public discussion.
It gathered newsroom staffers to discuss civic journalism and various possibilities for the story. It hired a polling firm to survey city residents on whether they thought it was a good idea. And it published a coupon asking people to write or E-mail their thoughts on the plan.
Through its quickly mounted and aggressive reporting of the route the decision had taken and the results of the poll, plus an editorial urging more public discussion for such a critical community decision, “citizens involved themselves in the process,” said editor Wayne Poston. They spoke before City Council, held meetings on their own, and held a Saturday morning rally at City Hall.
When the City Council agreed to hold a public meeting on a Monday night, more than 1,000 citizens packed the room. By Wednesday, the mayor called off plans to sign the contract and gave citizens an opportunity to offer their recommendations.
Ultimately, part of the facility went precisely where the City Council had planned, but it went there after citizens deliberated and their voices were heard.
“Re-engaging citizens in public life is the goal of civic journalism and The Herald’s effort was a clear example of a newspaper making the opportunity for engagement available where it otherwise would not have been.” said the Batten Advisory Board.
Contact:
Wayne Poston
Executive Editor
The Bradenton Herald
102 Manatee Avenue West
Bradenton, FL 34205
(941) 748-0411
(941) 745-7097
E-Mail: wposton@bhip.infi.net