Research

Measuring Civic Journalism’s Progress
A Report Across a Decade of Activity. At least one fifth of all U.S. daily newspapers practiced some form of civic journalism between 1994 and 2001 — and their editors say it made a positive difference. A study conducted for the Pew Center for Civic Journalism by Lewis A. Friedland, Professor and Sandy Nichols, Ph.D. Candidate of the School of Journalism & Mass Communication, University of Wisconsin-Madison. View Full PDF>>>

Journalism Interactive
Survey Pinpoints a Sea Change in Attitudes and Practices, Engagement Defines New Era of Journalism — U.S. newspapers report dramatic changes in the way they define and cover news and even how they view their mission, a new survey of the nation’s top editors reveals. Key among the findings is that editors report a sharply increased appetite for more two-way connections with readers. Nine of 10 editors surveyed also say the future of the industry depends on even more interactivity with readers. Survey conducted by the Campaign Study Group, July 2001.

Straight Talk from Americans 2000
A series of five polls commissioned by the Pew Center for Civic Journalism to provide roadmaps for journalists reporting on citizens’ issues. Among the findings, concerns about sprawl and growth are now edging out more traditional issues, such as crime. Americans express dissatisfaction with the quality of education and with a moral decline. Also, major fault lines – based on race, class, age and gender – reveal stark differences in perception about key issues and institutions. A national survey of 1,000 people and four regional surveys of 500 people each in Denver, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Tampa were conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates.

Civic Lessons
Evaluated by Esther Thorson and Lewis A. Friedland, Report Writer: Peggy Anderson
A report on four civic journalism projects and how the newsrooms, partnerships, and citizens responded to the project’s efforts.

A Case Study From Rochester, New York
“The Impact of Civic Journalism on Voting Behavior in State-Wide Referendums” A research study that provides compelling evidence that civic journalism works. By James R. Bowers, St. John Fisher College with Blair Clafin, The Des Moines Register (formerly of The Rochester Democrat & Chronicle) and Gary Walker, WXXI Radio and Television.

Does Public Journalism Work?
The Campaign Central Experience Study released by the Pew Center for Civic Journalism and The Record newspaper of Hackensack, NJ.

Press Release: New Voter Education Project Reaches One in Four North Carolina Voters, and Impresses 82% Favorably.
The Pew Center for Civic Journalism sponsored this poll of North Carolina voters to gauge the impact of “Your Voice, Your Vote,” an unprecedented statewide effort by 15 news organizations to emphasize coverage of issues rather than personalities in state-wide races.

Civic Journalism: Does it Work?
A special report for the Pew Center for Civic Journalism on the “We the People” projects, Madison, Wisconsin.
By Frank Denton and Esther Thorson