Civic Journalism: Six Case Studies
TALLAHASSEE, FLA.
"The Public Agenda"

With public terminals located at the main library and recreation centers, residents don't even have to own a computer to take part. A current proposal would allow after-hours use of computer facilities at Leon County public schools.

One of the project's cornerstones is the "Public Agenda" Page, which has appeared on the front of the Tallahassee Democrat's Sunday editorial section three times since the project's November kick-off and every three weeks since June 11. The page premiered November 20, 1994, following the first community dialogue. It is designed to be as interactive as a printed page can be, with input coming from readers via mail, e-mail, the Free-Net, forums and reporters. Jump space is available inside the section although editors prefer to keep the page as self-contained as possible.

The layout has several elements:

• Tallahassee's Talking began by offering excerpts of comments from citizens about a single question or issue. It eventually switched to reporting dialogue from the discussion groups. Topics have included children and race relations. The "citizen speakers" are identified in bold face at the beginning of their comments; some excerpts are accompanied by photographs to aid the layout and give readers an opportunity to identify with the participants. The goal is to give people who aren't involved in the project a taste of the ongoing discussion.

• Citizens Want Answers, described by Editor Lou Heldman as "a sort of citizen action line," solicits readers' questions for public officials and prints the responses. For instance, when legislative employee David Winalski wanted to know why Florida State University closed a street, a Democrat reporter contacted an FSU director of facilities planning and a county commissioner to get the answer. The page, however, does not go back to gauge whether the reader is satisfied with the reply.

• Feed Your Mind, perhaps the page's most innovative feature, recommends "thought-provoking books, articles, movies, videos or other sources of information." Readers are encouraged to send recommendations to add to those of the Democrat's  staff. The first page suggested books by civic renewal proponents, Daniel Yankelovich and Amitai Etzioni, a cover story on sex education in the October 1994 Atlantic Monthly, and a National Geographic article on the national park system. The offerings include titles, addresses and phone numbers. The June page offered a variety of ways to learn about the dropping of the first atomic bomb. Suggested sources included a Public Broadcasting video and magazine articles that can be found at the library.

• Where Things Stand provides a brief update on important community issues with information to help any reader who wants to get involved. An update on a proposed parkway included an explanation for the delayed final decision and contact information for a citizens' group fighting the construction.

• A Community Voice is a first-person piece by various residents or an article by a Democrat staffer.