HURST, John & PROVIS, Michael (eds) (2000), Community Journalism - A Resource Guide for Journalists, Editors,
264pp. ISBN 0 9578018 07 (pbk)
Reviewed by Eric Loo
University of Wollongong
What differentiates community or country journalism from its city counterpart? Not much, after a close reading of Community Journalism, a compilation of notes by journalism trainers and educators published by the Country Press Association (Victoria). Apart from the news sources, news topics and market
demographics, news as framed in the country paper is apparently not much different from a metropolitan daily. Thus, the notion that, regardless of the audience or media type, professional journalism is built on accurate, ethical and fair reporting,
The first two of 27 chapters – The Role of the Community Reporter and The Country Reporter’s Rounds attempt to define the parameters of reporting in regional Australia, where the journalist is inclined to identify with local lifestyle and grassroots values and thus is as much affected by local concerns as is the community. In the civic or public journalism genre, these chapters focus on the community-service function of the reporter where the concept of objective reporting, while recognised as central to journalism, is contextualised to the realities of living in a small country town. Thus, the observation in the Introduction: “Those who enter enthusiastically into the spirit of community cause and activity will not only find the great journalistic opportunities and
vocational satisfaction these can afford, but also experience the fruits of feeling at one with ‘the locals’ who regard ‘being country’ as an incomparable way of life.” (p.xv).
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