Karen McIntyre Hopkinson and Nicole Smith Dahmen eds., Reporting Beyond the Problem: From Civic Journalism to Solutions Journalism

Abstract

students still learn today, because other, less restrictive means for ensuring a fair trial existed. That information is recounted each year as the state re-evaluates whether Simants, who was ultimately found not guilty by reason of insanity, should remain institutionalized, as he has been since 1979. Parts of the book might also be valuable supplemental reading in a community journalism course, serving as both an illustration of how local journalism functioned in the late 20th century and the starting point for discussion about the appropriateness of journalists’ involvement in the civic life of communities. Lomicky notes a potential criticism of community journalism: that its “overemphasis on civic commitment overshadows its watchdog role,” with the result that it “fails to deal with major community problems” (p. 62). Blackledge associates interviewed for the book maintain that he did not fall into this trap, but current debates about the role of local journalism and the role of objectivity in the profession render such considerations still relevant.