Participant-Participant-democratic democratic

journalisms (McQuail)journalisms (McQuail)

JMS3 JDD 2006JMS3 JDD 2006

From: Atton, Haas, Downing, From: Atton, Haas, Downing, CarelessCareless

Radical alternative Radical alternative journalismjournalism

►Downing Downing Radical media - alternative vision to hegemonic policies, Radical media - alternative vision to hegemonic policies,

priorities and perspectives priorities and perspectives

► Radical media is needed because of the Radical media is needed because of the blockages of public expression. Where do blockages of public expression. Where do the blockages come from?the blockages come from? Powerful interests within the dynamic of the capitalist Powerful interests within the dynamic of the capitalist

economy;economy; Governmental secrecy;Governmental secrecy; Institutionalised racist and patriarchal codes;Institutionalised racist and patriarchal codes; Concentration of ownership and control of media;Concentration of ownership and control of media; Commodification of culture;Commodification of culture; Lack of democracy within media organisations;Lack of democracy within media organisations; Other hegemonic codes that appear natural and Other hegemonic codes that appear natural and

sensible. sensible.

► Chris AttonChris Atton Alternative journalism – a radical challenge to the Alternative journalism – a radical challenge to the

institutionalised practices of the mainstream mediainstitutionalised practices of the mainstream media

► Typology of alternative AND radical media:Typology of alternative AND radical media: Content (politically radical, socially/ culturally radical); Content (politically radical, socially/ culturally radical);

news values;news values; Form – graphics, visual language; varieties of Form – graphics, visual language; varieties of

presentation and binding; aesthetics;presentation and binding; aesthetics; Reprographic innovations/ adaptations – use of Reprographic innovations/ adaptations – use of

mimeographs, desk-top publishing, offset litho, mimeographs, desk-top publishing, offset litho, photocopiers;photocopiers;

‘‘Distributive use’ – alternative sites for distribution, Distributive use’ – alternative sites for distribution, clandestine/ invisible distribution networks, anti-clandestine/ invisible distribution networks, anti-copyright;copyright;

Transformed social relations, roles and responsibilities – Transformed social relations, roles and responsibilities – reader-writers, collective organisation, de-reader-writers, collective organisation, de-professionalisation of journalism, publishing;professionalisation of journalism, publishing;

Transformed communication processes – horizontal Transformed communication processes – horizontal linkages, networks.linkages, networks.

► RodriguezRodriguez Conceptualised such media as “citizens’ Conceptualised such media as “citizens’

media”media” i.e. A philosophy and set of practices i.e. A philosophy and set of practices

embedded within the everyday lives of embedded within the everyday lives of citizens, and media content that is citizens, and media content that is both both driven and produced by those peopledriven and produced by those people. .

(But, don’t we need some skilled media (But, don’t we need some skilled media practitioners to mediate, set agendas, lead?)practitioners to mediate, set agendas, lead?)

► Tanni HaasTanni Haas Alternative media as agents of societal and media Alternative media as agents of societal and media

democratisationdemocratisation ““Alternative media could be defined as media Alternative media could be defined as media

devoted to providing representations of issues and devoted to providing representations of issues and events which oppose those offered in the events which oppose those offered in the mainstream media and to advocating social and mainstream media and to advocating social and political reform.”political reform.”

Replaces an ideology of ‘objectivity’ with overt Replaces an ideology of ‘objectivity’ with overt advocacy and oppositional practices:advocacy and oppositional practices:

Emphasise first person, eyewitness accounts by Emphasise first person, eyewitness accounts by participants;participants;

Reworking of the populist approaches of tabloid Reworking of the populist approaches of tabloid newspapers to recover a ‘radical popular’ style of newspapers to recover a ‘radical popular’ style of reporting; reporting;

Collective and anti-hierarchical forms of Collective and anti-hierarchical forms of organisation which eschew demarcation and organisation which eschew demarcation and specialisation.specialisation.

Economics and organisationEconomics and organisation

► Structural imperatives of alternative Structural imperatives of alternative journalism – at odds with the market-driven journalism – at odds with the market-driven mass media;mass media;

►Opposed to the hierarchical, elite-centred Opposed to the hierarchical, elite-centred notions of journalism as a business;notions of journalism as a business;

►Only through more egalitarian, inclusive Only through more egalitarian, inclusive media organisations that it is possible to media organisations that it is possible to think about a socially responsible think about a socially responsible journalism.journalism.

Comparison with public Comparison with public journalismjournalism

► Radical alternative journalism goes beyond Radical alternative journalism goes beyond ‘reformist’ public journalism. ‘reformist’ public journalism.

► Public journalism works in the market and Public journalism works in the market and within long-standing organisational, within long-standing organisational, institutional and professional structures – part institutional and professional structures – part of mainstream journalism and operates in a of mainstream journalism and operates in a similar way.similar way.

► Steve DavisSteve Davis Public journalism’s attempts at ‘community Public journalism’s attempts at ‘community

outreach’ and ‘reader responsiveness’ are morally outreach’ and ‘reader responsiveness’ are morally dubious (conflates civic responsibility with PR and dubious (conflates civic responsibility with PR and the desire to increase circulation and sales)the desire to increase circulation and sales)

Perhaps we should celebrate the idea that these Perhaps we should celebrate the idea that these objectives can be achieved simultaneously?objectives can be achieved simultaneously?

►HowleyHowley Some correspondence between the aims of Some correspondence between the aims of

street newspapers (e.g. street newspapers (e.g. The Big IssueThe Big Issue) and ) and public journalism:public journalism:

Both began in the 1990s;Both began in the 1990s; Both sought to produce journalism that was Both sought to produce journalism that was

more democratically responsive and meaningful more democratically responsive and meaningful to its audience in terms of forms and practices;to its audience in terms of forms and practices;

Both report on issues from the perspectives of Both report on issues from the perspectives of citizens rather than politicians, experts and citizens rather than politicians, experts and other elite actors;other elite actors;

Both suggested fundamental realignment of Both suggested fundamental realignment of writer and reader, a re-coupling of ‘community’ writer and reader, a re-coupling of ‘community’ within which practitioners and audiences might within which practitioners and audiences might engageengage

► Alternative journalism (more broadly) shares Alternative journalism (more broadly) shares following characteristics with public following characteristics with public journalism:journalism: Both offer citizens opportunities to Both offer citizens opportunities to

articulate and debate their opinions on articulate and debate their opinions on issues, elaborating on what citizens can do issues, elaborating on what citizens can do to address those issues;to address those issues;

Both organise sites for citizen deliberation Both organise sites for citizen deliberation and action such as roundtables, and action such as roundtables, community forums and local civic community forums and local civic organisations;organisations;

Both follow up on citizen initiatives through Both follow up on citizen initiatives through ongoing and sustained coverage. ongoing and sustained coverage.

► But: But: Public journalism stops short of explicit Public journalism stops short of explicit

advocacy;advocacy; Refrains from promoting any specific outcomes Refrains from promoting any specific outcomes

(political neutrality)(political neutrality) Public journalism distinguishes between “doing Public journalism distinguishes between “doing

journalism” and “doing politics”. Does this journalism” and “doing politics”. Does this mean they are thus “incapable of promoting mean they are thus “incapable of promoting social change”? social change”?

Glasser – makes it difficult for journalists to join Glasser – makes it difficult for journalists to join forces with any part of the community forces with any part of the community associated with political or partisan interests. associated with political or partisan interests.

Partnerships with politically benign Partnerships with politically benign organisations (NGOs, universities, civic groups). organisations (NGOs, universities, civic groups).

►What if public journalists, like alternative What if public journalists, like alternative journalists, partnered with political parties, journalists, partnered with political parties, trade unions, professional associations, trade unions, professional associations, local reform movements and other special local reform movements and other special interest groups?interest groups?

► Fear of advocacy:Fear of advocacy: Public journos limit themselves to encouraging Public journos limit themselves to encouraging

citizens to participate in voluntary community citizens to participate in voluntary community interventions. Could this produce a false sense interventions. Could this produce a false sense of participatory politics which serves entrenched of participatory politics which serves entrenched elite interests or creates increased cynicism elite interests or creates increased cynicism toward government and politics? toward government and politics?

Does public journalism’s location within the Does public journalism’s location within the market prevents it from mounting a challenge to market prevents it from mounting a challenge to the deep structural, institutionalised and the deep structural, institutionalised and professionalised power relations of the mass professionalised power relations of the mass media? media?

Who does the journalism? Who does the journalism?

► All alternative journalism is interested in All alternative journalism is interested in asking who get to be – or even deserves to asking who get to be – or even deserves to be – a journalist and what such a role should be – a journalist and what such a role should entail:entail: Close and non-hierarchical relationship between Close and non-hierarchical relationship between

reader and content;reader and content; Close relationship between reader and writer;Close relationship between reader and writer; Sometimes the two become fused - results in Sometimes the two become fused - results in

hybrid forms such as the activist-journalist and hybrid forms such as the activist-journalist and the native reporter (distinctions between actors the native reporter (distinctions between actors in social movements and journalists erode).in social movements and journalists erode).

► Interested, ‘partial’ members of a Interested, ‘partial’ members of a community (community of interest or community (community of interest or geographical) as journalists, as recorders geographical) as journalists, as recorders of their own reality.of their own reality.

► Is ‘citizens’/participatory’ journalism a Is ‘citizens’/participatory’ journalism a variant of this?variant of this?

►Open publishing software. Enables Open publishing software. Enables contributors to post their own writing contributors to post their own writing directly. directly.

Cultural empowermentCultural empowerment

► Alternative journalism as a process of Alternative journalism as a process of cultural empowerment – content production cultural empowerment – content production is not necessarily the prime purpose. is not necessarily the prime purpose.

►What may be as (or more) important are the What may be as (or more) important are the ways in which community media facilitate ways in which community media facilitate the process of community organisation:the process of community organisation: ‘‘Produce and maintain the culture of a Produce and maintain the culture of a

community’. community’. Creators and maintainers of alternative public Creators and maintainers of alternative public

spheres.spheres.

Alternative epistemology of Alternative epistemology of news production:news production:

► ‘‘Ordinary people’ witness political events Ordinary people’ witness political events in which they play an active, dissenting in which they play an active, dissenting role.role.

► These same people present their These same people present their witnessing as native reporters working witnessing as native reporters working within alternative media. within alternative media.

► Foregrounds social construction of ‘facts’ Foregrounds social construction of ‘facts’ and knowledge and develops critical and knowledge and develops critical thinking and reflexivity (for example, thinking and reflexivity (for example, critical of rote learning of news values).critical of rote learning of news values).

► Alternative values and frameworks Alternative values and frameworks underlie their news coverage.underlie their news coverage.

Personal empowerment?Personal empowerment?

►MacPherson: Developmental power MacPherson: Developmental power isis the the opportunity for members of the public to opportunity for members of the public to “use and develop their capacities”. “use and develop their capacities”.

► Represents the positive possibilities for Represents the positive possibilities for human achievement inherent in cooperative human achievement inherent in cooperative social life, which, up to the present, the social life, which, up to the present, the construction of economic and political life construction of economic and political life most often sidelines.most often sidelines.

► But, the public’s ability to activate them is But, the public’s ability to activate them is widely shackled (malnutrition, widely shackled (malnutrition, homelessness, illiteracy, lack of access to homelessness, illiteracy, lack of access to the means of production, lack of protection the means of production, lack of protection from arbitrary attack on one’s body or one’s from arbitrary attack on one’s body or one’s liberty).liberty).

► Extractive powerExtractive power is the opposite of is the opposite of developmental power = power of capital developmental power = power of capital over labour and generally the ability to over labour and generally the ability to impose your agenda on other people.impose your agenda on other people.

►MacPherson: democracy should be more MacPherson: democracy should be more than a set of agreed procedural rules of than a set of agreed procedural rules of debate and negotiation – it should entail a debate and negotiation – it should entail a cultural, political and economic setting in cultural, political and economic setting in which developmental power flourishes.which developmental power flourishes.

►Developmental power builds on the Developmental power builds on the notions of counter-hegemony and notions of counter-hegemony and alternative public spheres.alternative public spheres.

► Radical alternative media as developmental Radical alternative media as developmental power agents:power agents: Expand the range of information, reflection and Expand the range of information, reflection and

exchange from the often narrow hegemonic limits of exchange from the often narrow hegemonic limits of mainstream media discourse;mainstream media discourse;

Usually try to be more responsive to voices and Usually try to be more responsive to voices and aspirations of the excluded and have a close relationship aspirations of the excluded and have a close relationship with an ongoing social movement and thus fairly with an ongoing social movement and thus fairly spontaneously express views and opinions extruded spontaneously express views and opinions extruded from mainstream media;from mainstream media;

Don’t need to censor themselves;Don’t need to censor themselves; Are themselves organised along more democratic lines;Are themselves organised along more democratic lines; Fulfil the innovative role that Raymond Williams ascribed Fulfil the innovative role that Raymond Williams ascribed

to what he termed “formations; those effective to what he termed “formations; those effective movements and tendencies, in intellectual and artistic movements and tendencies, in intellectual and artistic life, which have significant and sometimes decisive life, which have significant and sometimes decisive influence on the active development of a culture (and influence on the active development of a culture (and which have variable and often oblique relation to formal which have variable and often oblique relation to formal institutions)”.institutions)”.

Emotion and imaginationEmotion and imagination

► Raymond Williams alludes to the centrality of Raymond Williams alludes to the centrality of emotion and imagination in radical media (the peril emotion and imagination in radical media (the peril of seeing their role as informative in a purely of seeing their role as informative in a purely rational sense). rational sense).

► A democratic culture cannot subsist on rational A democratic culture cannot subsist on rational argument alone… a recognition of the role of argument alone… a recognition of the role of radical art and aesthetics.radical art and aesthetics.

► In contrast to the Habermasian ideal of rational-In contrast to the Habermasian ideal of rational-critical discourse, alternative media allow for a critical discourse, alternative media allow for a multitude of discourse forms “whose multitude of discourse forms “whose communicative trust depends not on closely argued communicative trust depends not on closely argued logic but on their aesthetically conceived and logic but on their aesthetically conceived and concentrated force” (Downing).concentrated force” (Downing).

Social movementsSocial movements

► Indymedia – close symbiotic relationship to Indymedia – close symbiotic relationship to social movements.social movements.

►Manifests itself in their organisational Manifests itself in their organisational structure, news coverage, and the relations structure, news coverage, and the relations between journalists and audiences. between journalists and audiences.

► ““Self-managed, non-hierarchical, collectivist-Self-managed, non-hierarchical, collectivist-democratic” form of organisation. democratic” form of organisation.

► Produced by the same people whose Produced by the same people whose concerns it represents, from a position of concerns it represents, from a position of engagement and direct participation.engagement and direct participation.

► Include people usually excluded from Include people usually excluded from coverage – feature them in the news as coverage – feature them in the news as central actors, or by producing content central actors, or by producing content relevant to their everyday lives. relevant to their everyday lives.

► Provide audiences with mobilising Provide audiences with mobilising information, directed at external political information, directed at external political activism and at participation in news activism and at participation in news production.production.

► Information for action, mobilised citizenry, Information for action, mobilised citizenry, facilitators of social communication. facilitators of social communication.

► In contrast to mainstream media’s liberal In contrast to mainstream media’s liberal democratic ideal of the “informed” citizenry.democratic ideal of the “informed” citizenry.

Link to radical democracyLink to radical democracy

► Alternative media not about ability to impact Alternative media not about ability to impact upon governmental institutions – more upon governmental institutions – more about altering individual and group self-about altering individual and group self-perception, challenge oppressing social perception, challenge oppressing social relations, and thereby enhance participants’ relations, and thereby enhance participants’ own access to power.own access to power.

► But Atton and others disagree – they define But Atton and others disagree – they define the democratic significance of alternative the democratic significance of alternative media in terms of their ability to effect media in terms of their ability to effect large-scale social and political reform.large-scale social and political reform.

Alternative public sphere or Alternative public sphere or sphere of multiple alternative sphere of multiple alternative

publics?publics?► Public sphere as an ensemble of discursive Public sphere as an ensemble of discursive

spaces between civil society and the state spaces between civil society and the state where ordinary citizens – either on their own where ordinary citizens – either on their own or as representatives of larger social or as representatives of larger social groupings - can debate public issues of groupings - can debate public issues of concern to them. concern to them.

► Subaltern counter-publics – indicates that Subaltern counter-publics – indicates that alternative media represent parallel and at alternative media represent parallel and at times overlapping discursive spaces where times overlapping discursive spaces where participants can debate public issues of participants can debate public issues of particular concern to them.particular concern to them.

► Also, external reach – Keane’s three part Also, external reach – Keane’s three part typology of “micro” (local), “meso” typology of “micro” (local), “meso” (regional/ national) and “macro” (global) (regional/ national) and “macro” (global) public spheres: public spheres: Micro: Lack of access to people residing Micro: Lack of access to people residing

outside the immediate community – lack of ties outside the immediate community – lack of ties to broader spheres of public debateto broader spheres of public debate

Macro: e.g. Indymedia. Geographically Macro: e.g. Indymedia. Geographically dispersed participants given opportunity to dispersed participants given opportunity to debate issues and events of common concern – debate issues and events of common concern – collaboration on global activist initiativescollaboration on global activist initiatives

Meso: Producing programming on a national Meso: Producing programming on a national scale to local radio stations, newspapersscale to local radio stations, newspapers

A constructive approach to A constructive approach to citizen participation…citizen participation…

► Advocate measures that correspond to the Advocate measures that correspond to the nature of particular issues under investigation. nature of particular issues under investigation.

► i.e. News organisations should carefully i.e. News organisations should carefully consider whether: consider whether: Issues can be adequately addressed through Issues can be adequately addressed through

voluntary community intervention or whether they voluntary community intervention or whether they require intervention of more deep-seated, systemic require intervention of more deep-seated, systemic character;character;

Issues can be adequately addressed through local Issues can be adequately addressed through local intervention (whether citizen-based or systemic) or intervention (whether citizen-based or systemic) or whether they require intervention of regional, whether they require intervention of regional, provincial, national or even international scope. provincial, national or even international scope.

The ethics of advocacy The ethics of advocacy journalismjournalism

► Sue Careless,Sue Careless, The Interim: The Interim: An advocateAn advocate speaks or pleads on behalf of speaks or pleads on behalf of

another, giving the other a face and a voice.another, giving the other a face and a voice. Advocacy journalsAdvocacy journals have a declared bias, a have a declared bias, a

publicly acknowledged editorial point of viewpublicly acknowledged editorial point of view They are upfront about their editorial position They are upfront about their editorial position

even on their masthead.even on their masthead. Mainstream media have biases which are often Mainstream media have biases which are often

hidden or implicit – because their editorial hidden or implicit – because their editorial viewpoint supposedly reflects what the majority viewpoint supposedly reflects what the majority values, no one thinks much about it.values, no one thinks much about it.

► But, mainstream media can also be out of But, mainstream media can also be out of step with the majority opinionstep with the majority opinion

► ““When the mainstream media ignores, When the mainstream media ignores, trivializes or seriously distorts your cause trivializes or seriously distorts your cause or issue, then your cause or community or issue, then your cause or community needs its own media.” needs its own media.”

► But, good advocacy journalism vs. bad. But, good advocacy journalism vs. bad.

Rules for advocacy Rules for advocacy journalismjournalism

► Is being an advocate journalist the same as Is being an advocate journalist the same as being an activist? being an activist?

► ““There are lines which should never be There are lines which should never be crossed by a professional journalist. If you crossed by a professional journalist. If you only spout slogans and clichés, and rant and only spout slogans and clichés, and rant and rave, you are only a polemicist, you won't rave, you are only a polemicist, you won't educate or persuade anyone, and those "on educate or persuade anyone, and those "on side" will find you boring and repetitious.”side" will find you boring and repetitious.”

► Can a journalist have a declared bias and still Can a journalist have a declared bias and still practice journalism in a professional manner? practice journalism in a professional manner?

► Yes - you may be seen as even more credible Yes - you may be seen as even more credible if your perspective is acknowledged up front. if your perspective is acknowledged up front.

► A journalist writing for the advocacy press A journalist writing for the advocacy press should practice the same skills as any should practice the same skills as any journalist - don't fabricate or falsify.journalist - don't fabricate or falsify.

►Don't fudge or suppress vital facts or Don't fudge or suppress vital facts or present half-truthspresent half-truths

► Fairness and thoroughness. Verify your Fairness and thoroughness. Verify your facts and quotes. Use multiple sources and facts and quotes. Use multiple sources and try to cite neutral sources for statistics. try to cite neutral sources for statistics.

► A good journalist must argue against A good journalist must argue against his/her own convictions. You will be far his/her own convictions. You will be far more credible if you write with a critical more credible if you write with a critical edge. edge.

► "Balanced" coverage:"Balanced" coverage:► Advocacy journalism does not generally Advocacy journalism does not generally

give equal time to opponents, but neither give equal time to opponents, but neither does the mainstream press. does the mainstream press.

► In opinion writing, as in debate, you must In opinion writing, as in debate, you must be able to answer your opponent's best be able to answer your opponent's best arguments. arguments.

►Does your opposition, moreover, have Does your opposition, moreover, have some valid criticism you should hear? some valid criticism you should hear?

► Advocacy journalists should also cover Advocacy journalists should also cover stories that may be unflattering to their stories that may be unflattering to their own cause or community. own cause or community.

Why we need advocacy Why we need advocacy media?media?

► Can you trust media with a vested interest? Can you trust media with a vested interest? ► No, but no single source should ever be No, but no single source should ever be

trusted completely. Vested interests are trusted completely. Vested interests are going to work harder at unearthing evidence going to work harder at unearthing evidence for their cause or constituency for which the for their cause or constituency for which the mass media wouldn't bother digging.mass media wouldn't bother digging.

► Society is made up of various communities Society is made up of various communities of interest like small, overlapping circles. of interest like small, overlapping circles. Mass media aims at the whole pool and Mass media aims at the whole pool and barely skims the surface. The alternative barely skims the surface. The alternative media, which aims at a smaller circle, a media, which aims at a smaller circle, a smaller audience, can dive deeper.smaller audience, can dive deeper.