A look at some of the key themes and ideas from an upcoming report on Community-Centered Journalism, commissioned by the Agora Journalism Center. Presented at a local journalism researchers workshop hosted at the University of North Carolina, in Chapel Hill, on Feb 19th 2023.

1. From the Ground Up
How Community-Centered Journalism
can Help Create a More Equitable,
Inclusive and Participatory, News and
Information Landscape
Damian Radcliffe & Regina Lawrence
(University of Oregon)

2. Quick preview
➔New report, commissioned by Agora
➔Primer on Community-Centered Journalism
◆Informed by input from 18 experts
◆Plus Case Studies from Gather
● Definitions and Characteristics
● CCJ in Practice
● Opportunities
● Challenges
● Advancing CCJ
➔Audience: Practitioners + Academy

3. Why?
• Agora’s Mission
• Continuity with previous work
• Future priorities

4. Definition + Core Components
“Journalism produced with - and for - communities…
Journalism for communities, not just about them.”
Andrea Wenzel
Draft Agora Framework
1. Civic purpose based on community information needs
2. Journalists as deep listeners and/or facilitators of dialogue
3. Relational engagement
4. Improving understanding and empathy
5. Reciprocal, not extractive

5. 5 x Key Opportunities
1. Content grounded in information needs
2. New formats / distribution methods
3. Addressing long-standing issues of inequity
4. Rebuilding trust
5. Better stories and information

6. 5 x Core Challenges
ORGANIZATIONAL
CULTURE
TIME TO
IMPLEMENT
MEASURING
IMPACT AND
ROI
SKILLS SCALING UP

7. Advancing Community-Centered Journalism
1. Raising awareness
2. Building a community of practice
3. Preparing the next
generation
4. Equity rooted

8. Moving
Forward
Key questions to explore include:
1. Compatibility with commercial media
1. Ethical dimensions (e.g. whose story gets told?)
1. Balancing with journalistic norms +
responsibilities (e.g. Watchdog reporting)

9. Thanks for listening
Regina Lawrence
Associate Dean, SOJC Portland, University of Oregon
Research Director, Agora Journalism Center
Editor, Political Communication
Email: rgl@uoregon.edu
Twitter: @LawrenceRegina
Damian Radcliffe
Chambers Professor of Journalism, University of Oregon
Fellow, Tow Center for Digital Journalism +
School of Journalism, Media and Culture, Cardiff
University
Email: damianr@uoregon.edu
Twitter: @damianradcliffe