Seminar B: Reclaiming Journalism as Public Conversation

Renae's presentation raised some interesting points...

She said she thinks that Journalism should be reclaimed as public conversation. She said it has been removed from 'the people' for too long, existing as expert opinion. She was also critical of the role of PR, which was surprising considering that is her Major.

Renae said, and I agree, that news agendas are made by PR personnel and big businesses. She calls for a turn away from such a reliance on PR and a return to what is for 'the people'.

It is here though that the big debate of public journalism is raised:

What the public are interested in vs. What is in the public interest...

Sure, it might be in the public interest to know about child abuse in Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory but when it comes to selling newspapers and getting ratings, some sordid affair/love child/scandal is always going to win out for the front page story.

It is here that infotainment gets a look in - get a celebrity angle in the Aboriginal story and it can have pride of place on the Sunday paper...

Infotainment can bridge the gap in the public interest debate.

Renae raised citizen journalism as a way the people can create public conversation.

According to Renae's presentation Public or Citizen Journalism can include:

• Audience participation: SMS opinions & polls, 'send in your photos' segments/articles, online discussion forums & blogs.
• Independent news & information sites: Gawker, Crikey etc. These are popular in Asia due to political constraints there.
• Alternate information: anything that allows a community to communicate... includes school or neighbourhood newsletters, Reverb newspaper.

Renae also furthered the professional journalist vs. the citizen journalist debate.

• "objectivity should be held over opinion" - i definitely agree with that... blogs are chock-full of opinions...
• "sloppy technique" - as Renae said, this has more to do with the practitioner, rather than the movement.

Public Journalism and the citizen journalist movement though is an "important element of democracy".

Agreed.