Jerry Brown, former chair of the Auburn University journalism program and a great admirer of community journalism, wrote in his introduction to Jock Lauterer’s text,  “Community Journalism: Relentlessly Local”:

 

“For my perspective as a former editor of weeklies, a community without a newspaper is like a church without a pulpit or altar. Something is missing – a familiar voice, a sense of home, a continuity. The character of a place is defined and confirmed by its newspaper, and these country cousins in the great family of the democratic press are just as essential to our way of life as their more citified, though I concede - equally important - media relatives.”

 

Stepping away from constantly beeping cell phones sending out news – both fake and real – to take a community journalism road trip during the fall 2016 was at first just another assignment for students in JRNL 4970. But as the adventure continued, the students in my class discovered the truth of Jerry Brown’s sentiments.  During visits to Alexander City, Columbiana, Greensboro, Rainsville, Roanoke, Tuskegee and the larger towns of Auburn-Opelika, Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, students heard advice from veteran journalists, learned about morgues and printing presses, and saw why and how community journalism matters now more than ever. These young journalists then worked hard to produce this site to share the stories they discovered and the lessons they learned.

 

We appreciate the support of the Alabama Press Association Foundation that made this adventure possible, and we hope our stories celebrate and honor community journalists across the state.  I would like to thank all the professionals who took time from their hectic days to both inform and inspire these students. A special thanks also goes to Ed Williams, retired AU journalism professor, and Rachel Sharpe, circulation manager for the Greensboro Watchman, for visiting our class to help prepare us for this journey.

 

For more information or to comment, contact Nan Fairley at fairlln@auburn.edu.