KUT-FM (Public Broadcasting)
University of Texas
The Austin American Statesman
When KUT decided to develop a local news program, its director saw an opportunity to create a “civic” newsroom, building his operation from the ground up with the principless of civic journalism in mind. Pew funding allowed the station to research the community-its make-up and its needs – with tools such as focus groups, polls and mapping, to launch a local news presence that engages citizens in public life. The Austin American Statesman joined the research effort to aid its own reporting on community issues.
Between March and May 2001, the University of Texas Office of Survey Research interviewed 600 people in the Austin area and found broad support for civic journalism values as well as recommendations for the most pertinent areas to cover. While the survey found Austin’s traffic a major concern, respondents didn’t want more traffic coverage. Nor were they interested in more weather coverage. They were most interested in more coverage of education, science, government and the arts.
The partners conducted two focus groups to gather more specific information. One was composed of Latinos, the other a more diverse groups representing the balance of Austin citizens. Both groups expressed cynicism about the media and placed a high value on the media motivating people to action.
In June, the station held a two-day conference to write the standards and practices of the new news department. The hiring of the staff was a rather lengthy process but in February 2002, local coverage began. In March, the station aired profiles of candidates in the primary election, as well as a series of commentaries on issues in the primaries. The station’s long-term plan was to partner with public television to produce a series of reports and town meetings on the difficult economic times.
Contact:
Stewart Vanderwilt
Director and GM
KUT-FM (NPR), University of Texas
Communication Building B
Austin, TX 78712-1090
Phone: (512) 471-1631
Email: vanderwilt@mail.utexas.edu
Don Heider
Asst. Professor, School of Journalism
University of Texas-Austin
Austin, TX 78712
Phone: (512) 471-1965
Email: donheider@mail.utexas.edu