Word on the street.... community engagement you say?

Who? Where? What? Why?

'Who' is me and you, and us, and them- we are all kinda in this together- starting with our individual agency, powered by our interest in community, and underlined by the urgency to develop strategies which will support the kind of society we want our grandkids to inherit.

'Where' is right here right now- like the Occupy movement, positive change grows for the grass roots up, and local focus offers a fertile ground for making a difference to the world in which we live.

'What' is what ever you want to make it-really-

'Why' is surely because at the end of the day it feels good!!!!!

My current interests run through physical space, intersect with art and politics, and are fortunate enough to bump into expressive platforms. 

I am making a series of radio programmes by which to gain a understanding of some of the  projects happening in Totnes. I have begun with the larger, higher-profile projects...

The public medium of radio is perfect for unfolding processes of the Town Council, the Atmos Project, and TRESOC. Each is taking ground-breaking steps in community centred organisation- TRESOC with its shares and plans for the areas' natural energy generating resources, Atmos with its proposed community consultation and shares in the development of a derelict dairy site, and the Town Council with its new approach to transparency and engagement. Each has a genuine commitment to community participation-  each is made up from members of the public that live in (and care about) this area.

I am passionate to make media that not only explores these kind of developments, but that can be considered part of the same push-  toward greater social cohesion, equality and community resilience. It is tricky keeping up with developments tho- but i hope the project will itself grow:

"Hear Ye!!!      Town Crier is a a hour of news, opinion, interviews and reporting that aims to elucidate local matters : with a focus on projects, developments, activities and events that are of public and social import.
 Oyez, Oyez, Oyez!
Civic journalism is a type of journalism that can be best described as place-specific, amateur, impassioned, and embedded in the community of which it speaks. Town Crier is based in Totnes, and on the airwaves of Soundart Radio : relevant, irreverent, focused, and broadcast with an invitation: if you would like to participate, with a news story, as a reporter, or in any other way please get in touch."

The 'please get in touch' is important. Not because I have the resources to run a newsdesk- I don't- not yet! but because the impulse behind community journalism is an open communication - two way or 2000 way- and the sharing of the (simple, lofi) resources to make open communication happen is what keeps it live and relevant.

At  the Emerging Mind of Community Journalism conference (see Lowrey, Wilson, Amanda Brozana, and Jenn B. Mackay .2008 "Toward a Measure of Community Journalism." Mass Communication & Society 11.3), participants created a list characterising community journalism: community journalism is intimate, caring, and personal; it reflects the community and it tells its stories.... 

If you want more of a definition, I'm afraid its like when someone asked Louie Armstrong for a definition of jazz. The Great Satchmo is reputed to have replied something like this: 'Man, if you have to ask, it ain't any good trying to explain." You know community journalism when you see it; it is the heartbeat of journalism, journalism in its neutral state-     Jock Lauterer