Community Newspapers Research Articles

The implications of COVID-19 on regional journalism in far north Queensland: Measuring the heart rate of local communities

In 2020, COVID-19 thrust newsrooms into lockdown, affecting how journalists source, gather and report news. According to media giant News Corp, the pandemic fast-tracked its axing of more than 112 community newspapers, already vulnerable following a decade of gradual decline exacerbated by the arrival of digital technology. Consequently, hundreds of jobs were slashed and ‘news deserts’ were created across vast swathes of rural Australia, including far north Queensland. This article looks closely at the mediascape in far north Queensland from a journalism industry perspective during COVID-19, a time which saw a raft of differing and, sometimes, conflicting pressures exerted on journalists – from complying with health and safety regulations to fulfilling the community’s insatiable hunger for information. Through an online survey and long-form interviews with journalists, the study informing this article focuses on what happens when newsrooms are centralized, diminished in resources and the most senior journalists are made redundant and, as such, no longer available to mentor or control journalistic quality. It also observes the arrival of a new and independent press or ‘green shoots’ while casting an eye on the future of local news.

Ubuntu Precepts and the Coverage of Xenophobic Discourses in South African Community Newspapers: An Afrocentric Systematic Critique

Ubuntu Precepts and the Coverage of Xenophobic Discourses in South African Community Newspapers: An Afrocentric Systematic Critique

Hyperlocal citizen journalism in Hong Kong: Resilience through community newspapers

Despite severe political pressures on journalism and civil society after the implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong, over 20 community newspapers have continued their operation. Through content analysis of 60 issues of the papers and in-depth interviews with over 20 individuals involved in their establishment and operation, this study aims to unravel their intriguing resilience. Findings reveal that these papers adopted two non-confrontational content strategies: identity politics and life politics. On the one hand, by publishing “soft” content, they construct local identities and provide counternarratives to official discourse. On the other hand, they foster discussions on everyday life issues, bridging personal experiences with political engagement. Operationally, the voluntary nature and decentralized, collaborative structures cultivate a strong sense of community. We argue that community papers in Hong Kong represent an intersection of citizen journalism and hyperlocal journalism, which creates a unique resilience under political pressure.

Role of Community Newspaper in Community Development ( a Study of Oriwu Sun Newspaper in Ikorodu)

Role of Community Newspaper in Community Development ( a Study of Oriwu Sun Newspaper in Ikorodu)

Asosiasi Surat Kabar Digital terhadap Minat Membaca Koran Masyarakat di Kota Makassar

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of digital newspapers on community newspaper reading interest in Tamalanrea Indah Village, Tamalanrea District, Makassar City. The research method used is quantitative method by distributing questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS. The results of this study indicate that Digital Newspapers have a significant influence on Reading Interest in the community in Tamalanrea Indah Village, Tamalanrea District, Makassar City, with tcount = 4.711> ttable = 1.984 and significance 0.000 <0.05. In the reliability test of variable X stated with Cronbach alpha value is 0.734 and variable Y is 0.702. And based on the coefficient of determination which shows that there is an association of Digital Newspapers and people's newspaper reading interest. It predicted approximately 0.185 or 18.5% of reading interest.

Preferences, educational messaging, and demand creation channels for multipurpose-prevention technologies (MPTs) among women in South Africa

BackgroundSouth African women, including female sex workers (FSWs), are disproportionately affected by HIV, experience a high unmet need for contraception and high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Products that address the interlinked risk between HIV, unplanned pregnancy, and other STIs are needed. There are several multipurpose-prevention technologies (MPTs) in development, aimed at preventing both HIV and pregnancy. This study aimed to explore educational messaging and demand creation channels to improve the potential uptake of a hypothetical MPT implant, using participatory action research. It also aimed to look at product and service provision attributes preferred by potential end users.MethodsBetween July and August 2022, 303 PrEP-eligible adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) (18–24 years), women > 24 years, and FSW’s (≥ 18 years) participated in 4-hour workshops, where they were asked about their ideal messaging and demand creation channels and their preferences for different attributes of an MPT implant. Quantitative descriptive analysis was conducted to determine the frequency and ranking for each demand creation message, channel, and each product and service provision attribute, by population group. A chi-square test was used to assess MPT implant characteristics associated with age. Qualitative data were analysed using deductive and thematic analysis.ResultsA total of 104 AGYW, 157 women > 24 years, and 42 FSWs participated in the PAR workshops. Participants preferred demand creation messages that were empowering, motivational and encouraged body autonomy. The use of slang was popular. Community radio stations and newspapers, social media, and information at hospitals and clinics were participants’ preferred MPT demand creation channels because they were easily accessible. Providing long-term and dual HIV and pregnancy protection, receiving implant services at the local clinic, manageable side effects, discreet and private implant, and numbing the area before insertion and removal, were the most preferred product and service provision attributes.ConclusionEarly considerations for women’s product preferences are key to product development. Educational messaging around the MPT implant should be empowering and in local languages, this may motivate women to learn more about it and use it. Multiple demand creation channels should be used to engage both young and older populations, which may ensure better reach.

S11-5 Recruitment of physically inactive adults to participate in the standardized program Jackpot.fit. Which strategies within the health system work?

Abstract Purpose The Jackpot.fit program was developed by the Austrian health insurance funds and the organized sport with the aim of offering a standardized training for physically inactive adults. The first semester is free of charge. The original idea was that health insurance companies would use different strategies to recruit participants and that organized sports would offer the standardized program in local sports clubs. In this context, we wanted to investigate which recruitment strategies work well. Methods In one region of the province of Styria (Austria), we wanted to offer a dense network of Jackpot.fit classes, as the sports program was to take place close to home. Adults who signed up for Jackpot.fit received an online questionnaire. One question asked: “How did you find out about Jackpot.fit?” Ten answers were available for selection, with multiple responses possible. Responses could be categorized into four areas: Information from the health care system, from the community, from the sports clubs, and from friends/acquaintances. The questionnaire was sent to 394 persons and 133 (34%) completed it (mean age 56 ± 9 years, 73% women). Results One health insurance company sent letters to its insured, which was the most successful strategy (mentioned by 33 participants = approximately 25%). The second best strategy is word of mouth through friends/acquaintances (28 participants). Other good recruitment strategies are the community newspaper (23 participants), and activities of the sports club trainer (19 participants). 437 general practitioners working within a 10 km radius of a Jackpot.fit course were informed in writing about Jackpot.fit and were asked to inform their inactive patients participating in Jackpot.fit. However, of the 133 participants, only 3 indicated that their primary care physician informed them about the program. Conclusion Health insurance companies can successfully recruit physically inactive adults with a letter to a standardized sports club program near their home. Community information channels and word of mouth have also been successful. Although the network of general practitioners working in the region is dense, written information about the program was not a successful recruitment strategy. Therefore, different recruitment approaches by different actors seem to work best.

Community Newspapers for Community Development: The Case of the Idikelethu Community Newspaper

Community Newspapers for Community Development: The Case of the Idikelethu Community Newspaper

마을공동체미디어의 사회적 가치 창출에 대한 고찰

This study looks into Pyeonghwa-dong Village Community Newspaper, a village community media that represents Jeonrabuk-do and is assessed as a sustainably growing model in order to analyze whether it practically creates social values in the city and what value it creates if it creates any value. It is independent, expandability and continuity that shall be paid attention onto with regards to Pyeonghwa-dong Village Newspaper, which began to be published first in 2010 and has been issued without any skip till 2023 so far since its first publication thanks to pay-free volunteer journalists’ volunteering. Furthermore, it does not only deal with various kinds of local issues through corporation with neighboring small communities but also operate ‘on-line Dure’ motivated from Dure, a traditional community activity, to enhance the communication with community people. Based on both quantitative and qualitative assessments, this study has verified that Pyeonghwa-dong Village Community Newspaper has been creating social values through its activities of 13years.

The New Civic Journalism? An Examination of Canadian Public Libraries as Community News Sources During the 2019 and 2021 Federal Election

Background: This article examines to what extent Canadian public libraries participate in civic journalism at a time when news media coverage is declining in many communities. This pilot study was prompted by reports that public libraries in the United States were undertaking civic-minded journalism following the closure of community newspapers. Analysis: A content analysis of 64 Canadian public library websites found nearly a dozen examples of basic news reporting or civic-minded journalism initiatives (basic reporting, n = 8; civic, n = 3) published during the 2019 and 2021 federal election campaigns. This article also articulates and explains the shared goals and philosophy of the civic journalism movement and the mandate of public libraries. Conclusions and implications: While the numbers are small, this is the first empirical evidence of Canadian public library participation in journalism work, and the fact that it exists at all has significance. Whether or not public libraries in Canada continue to participate in civic-minded journalism warrants further attention.

Remembering Herbert Gutman's Work, Culture, and Society Fifty Years On

Remembering Herbert Gutman's <i>Work, Culture, and Society</i> Fifty Years On

Community-First Criticism: Reviewing Art and Culture in Local Newspapers

ABSTRACT This article explores community-conforming criticism published in local or community newspapers. Currently, professional cultural criticism is largely focused on capital-based and regional newspapers, as well as cultural magazines, implying the specialisation of work and compartmentalisation of content, while local newspapers cover a wide variety of societal issues and dedicate attention to culture in genres other than the review. The article analyses the findings from a three-year development project launched by the Finnish Critics’ Association (2020–2023) that aimed to rethink reviewing in local journalistic settings. An analysis of the stories published until the summer of 2022 (n = 28) and semistructured theme interviews with the involved critics and staff journalists (n = 14) show the potential and challenges for local journalistic cultural criticism. Based on the analysis, I develop a theoretical framework for community-conforming criticism that places the primary focus on social values of art and preferences that rise from within the local community.

Challenges Confronting Community Newspapers in Meeting Aesthetics Standards

Aesthetics deals with the beauty of an object or subject. Aesthetics has the power of drawing the readers to feel and experience what the artists have felt and experienced. This paper therefore examined the challenges affecting community newspapers in meeting aesthetics demand. Anchored on investment theory of creativity, the paper employed ethnographic research design, the paper found that, community newspapers find it difficult to command visual appeal among its audience due to the inability of most publishing house to work as a team. Also, the lack of experience among journalists/editors, as well as the absence of sophisticated tools equally affects the ability of community newspapers to bring out of its best in respect to physical appeal. The study further found that getting the layout and design right is difficult because of lack of creativity and poor visual sensitivity. Lastly, the paper established that community newspapers have equally been found culpable in the area of textual aesthetics; hence the need for improvement. Keywords: Aesthetics, Community newspaper, Challenges, Design, Editors

Advertising as discursive reflections of the political realm: Turkish-Cypriot advertisements between 1940-1974

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore how conflict/war and its political economic and socio-cultural reflections influenced Turkish-Cypriot advertisements. It provides an analysis of the Turkish-Cypriot advertisements during 1940–1974, which was characterised by intermittent inter-ethnic armed conflict, to illuminate how they are related to the commercial, political, economic and socio-cultural unravelling of the era.Design/methodology/approachCompositional interpretation and social semiotic analysis (Rose, 2016) with a critical lens have been adopted as research design. Social, cultural, economic and political conditions of the time were also used in the analysis.FindingsFirstly, this paper shows that the advertisements increased in complexity although very incrementally through the studied period, especially in comparison to the advertising of the countries that directly influenced the commercial sphere in Cyprus such as Britain, Greece and Turkey. Secondly, this paper shows that the advertisement messages were directly shaped by key events in the socio-political realm. Especially during the 1940s (British rule) and the bicommunal Republic of Cyprus era, the Turkish-Cypriot community newspapers featured a cosmopolitan range of advertisements paid for by Greek-Cypriot, Armenian-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot businesses. After 1963, when the armed conflict began and the communities retreated to separate parts of the capital city, the featured advertisements mostly reverted back to the 1950s political economic agenda: firstly, they intended to build ethno-community consciousness by transforming Turkish-Cypriots who were scattered around in different towns, villages and cities into a public/community; secondly, they were used in developing the burgeoning Turkish-Cypriot business enterprises and the making of a consumer class.Originality/valueAs no such study was conducted so far, this paper shows, through the continued and increasing existence and variety of the advertisements printed in Turkish-Cypriot newspapers, the trajectory with which the Turkish-Cypriots met the consumption codes of the era under armed conflict. Secondly, the authors observe the “state” authority (in this case, the community administration) directly and indirectly influences both the business agenda and the building of community consciousness. Thirdly, the authors show that the Turkish-Cypriot community had normalised commerce under armed-conflict.

It Is Home: Perceptions, Community, and Narratives about Change

Utah’s Heber Valley has experienced rapid and (relatively) sustained growth since the 1990s, in part due to being chosen as a host venue for the 2002 Winter Olympics. As conditions in the Valley changed by virtue of this growth, individuals had to redefine their relationship with their community at large, as well as what community means to them individually. As individuals integrate new conditions into their imagined communities, they are also required to imagine communities in ways they never have before. The community’s story is rewritten simultaneously along with individuals’ own stories. These changing stories are shaped and indicated by the reconstruction of residents’ narratives about their community, i.e., their community stories. In this paper, we (1) explore how Heber Valley residents’ narratives change as a result of preparing for, participating in, and recovering from the Olympics, (2) verify these findings using survey data gathered during the same time period, and (3) examine how changes in residents’ narratives in Heber Valley impacted the subjective evaluation of community. To do so, we rely on longitudinal data gathered among principal communities in Heber Valley with additional data generated from a hermeneutic content analysis of archival data found in the area’s community newspaper (The Wasatch Wave). Survey data were gathered once a year over a five-year period from February 1999 through February 2003, with additional waves gathered in February 2007, 2012, and 2018. Our results indicated that the community narratives did change as a result of the Olympics, our survey data verified these community changes over time, and changes in residents’ community stories impacted survey responses when residents were asked about community sentiments.

Comunicação e pandemia: interlocuções criativas de populações vulnerabilizadas no Distrito Federal

Abstract The article aims to present results of a research that mapped communication technologies and arrangements designed and directed toward vulnerable populations in the territory of the Federal District (DF), Brazil, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research, which integrated a multicentric investigation, has a qualitative approach and was structured in five stages: virtual mapping of experiences; interviews with their leaders; individual and cross-sectional analysis of empirical material; collective validation of the results by virtual sessions and construction of a thematic map of the experiences. Fourteen initiatives on COVID-19 were mapped in the DF that had a communicational component and were aimed at the population of peripheral territories, with ten being selected for in-depth analysis.The respective leaders were interviewed, composing a thematic cartographic panorama of technologies and communication arrangements: life stories; “word of mouth”; network joints; in-person and organic communication; cards; advocacy; digital social networks; use of territorial equipment as communication tools; independent digital community newspaper; apps; solidarity network and community TV. The commitment of communication strategies and technologies regarding local realities, respecting the characteristics of communities, is highlighted, pointing to a crucial difference in relation to the predominant communication about the pandemic in public health institutions.

Community MH Must Include Care for Incarcerated Individuals, Released Prisoners

Community MH Must Include Care for Incarcerated Individuals, Released Prisoners

Review: Queer Public History: Essays on Scholarly Activism, by Marc Stein

Review: <i>Queer Public History: Essays on Scholarly Activism</i>, by Marc Stein

Review: Facing the Mountain: An Inspiring Story of Japanese American Patriots in World War II, by Daniel James Brown

Book Review| August 01 2022 Review: Facing the Mountain: An Inspiring Story of Japanese American Patriots in World War II, by Daniel James Brown Daniel James Brown. Facing the Mountain: An Inspiring Story of Japanese American Patriots in World War II. New York: Penguin Random House, 2021. 540 pp. Paperback $18.00. Jonathan van Harmelen Jonathan van Harmelen JONATHAN VAN HARMELEN is a doctoral student in history at the University of California, Santa Cruz. His work has appeared in Southern California Quarterly, Journal of Transnational American Studies, Journal of Urban History, BC Studies, and Journal of Asian American Studies. He is a columnist for the Japanese American National Museum’s blog “Discover Nikkei” and contributes to a number of Japanese community newspapers. Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar California History (2022) 99 (3): 83–85. https://doi.org/10.1525/ch.2022.99.3.83 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Jonathan van Harmelen; Review: Facing the Mountain: An Inspiring Story of Japanese American Patriots in World War II, by Daniel James Brown. California History 1 August 2022; 99 (3): 83–85. doi: https://doi.org/10.1525/ch.2022.99.3.83 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentCalifornia History Search Over the past fifty years, accounts of the World War II experiences of Japanese Americans have proliferated in popular literature. Authors like James and Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, Richard Reeves, Julie Otsuka, and George Takei, to name just a few, have presented mainstream accounts of the camp experience, drawing either from personal experience or from extensive research. Recently, a number of authors, both Japanese American and otherwise, have attempted to retell the story of the camp experience in new ways, with some receiving acclaim. Facing the Mountain, however, is an exception. This new work by Daniel James Brown, author of the best-selling The Boys in the Boat (2013), presents riveting accounts of four Japanese American men and their journeys from prewar tranquility in Japanese communities in Hawaii and on the West Coast to the chaos and uncertainty of the war years. Along the way, each of them confronts racial discrimination... You do not currently have access to this content.

Framing climate change in local context: Newspaper coverage of climate change in three mountain towns in the intermountain west compared to national coverage

Research examines how journalists cover and frame the issue of climate change in mainly nationally circulated newspapers. This study compares and contrasts the framing of climate change between two nationally circulated newspapers, the New York Times and the Washington Post, and three intermountain west, mountain town, community newspapers, Jackson Hole News &amp; Guide in Jackson Hole, WY, Summit Daily in Summit County, CO, and Park Record in Park City, UT. This research compares national versus community coverage, coverage over time for the years 2011 and 2016, and coverage between the three communities, using five commonly used frames, responsibility, human interest, conflict, morality and economic consequences. Results indicate there are statistically significant differences when comparing national to community newspaper coverage as well as between the three community papers, indicating the importance of local context in media coverage of climate change and in frame analysis more generally. Climate change is a partisan issue, but community newspapers may be less partisan, so analyzing newspaper coverage at various scales adds to our understanding of how different contexts shape media coverage, which in turn may shape views on climate change.