Conversation and Credibility: Broadening Journalism Criticism Through Public Engagement

Abstract

As technology and public expectations have expanded journalism into a practice shared by many, criticism remains the province of a relative few. Bloggers have added their voices to professionals' self-criticism, and social media have vastly expanded opportunities for dialogic exchanges. Building on earlier research, this article seeks to expand journalism criticism by applying the dominant public relations model of two-way symmetrical communication. This includes collaboration, compromise, listening, and a desire to balance power—attributes that can enable journalists to be transparent, accountable, and autonomous if they publicly replicate the thoughtfulness of conversations they have long had among themselves.