Facing our Future, Binghamton, NY 1996
Partners:
Press & Sun-Bulletin
WSKG Public TV and Radio
WBNG-TV (CBS)
SUNY-Binghamton
With the Binghamton economy severely depressed and public spirits virtually crushed by the loss of jobs and services, the partners in 1996 launched “Facing Our Future,” a solutions-oriented journalism project with a built-in action component. Two years later, citizen action teams were still meeting and the economy was rebounding. Then-Press & Sun-Bulletin editor Marty Steffens gave the media partners at least partial credit for the turn-around. “We weren’t just lucky,” she said.
The partners’ ran three, three-part series – in January, February and March 1996 – on the economic history of the region, the impact of the downturn and ideas for revitalization, including ideas offered by citizens through clip-and-send coupons in the newspaper and a television call-in show. Then, on April 18, they sponsored a town meeting attended by an overflow crowd, where more than 200 citizens signed up to take part in one of 10 action teams for addressing the economic crisis.
The citizens met over the summer with organizational help from a community coordinator hired with Pew Center support. In September, the media partners reported an extensive list of recommendations the teams had developed for improving the region’s prospects. A 500-page final report, issued in October, contained more than 100 ideas.
Many of the ideas were implemented in 1997 as the project, renamed “Building Our Future,” moved into the action phase. The region’s Chamber of Commerce, initially resistant to the initiative, also offered to house it. The Community Beautification and Morale Team planted a neighborhood garden and held a “National Night Out” event that won an award from the National Town Watch Association. The Consolidating Government Team worked to streamline the county 911 system. The Youth Team produced a television show for both TV partners and raised money for a teen recreation center. The local airport was improved and a local highway was taken over as an interstate.
The media partners covered developments but stepped back from active involvement in the project. The Pew Center for Civic Change provided funds for the community coordinator to continue to facilitate citizen action. A 1996 Pew Trusts study of civic journalism projects found that fully half of Binghamton area residents were aware of the project and three-quarters of those felt more positive toward the media partners as a result.
Contact:
Martha Steffens
Professor, School of Journalism
University of Missouri- Columbia
134-B Neff Annex
Columbia, MO 65211-1200
TEL: (573) 884-4839
FAX: (573) 884-1372
EMAIL: steffensm@missouri.edu