Community Journalism: The Personal Approach [Paperback]

Jock Lauterer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1995

An in-depth look at community journalism. This text aims to be a survival manual and field guide for those starting their first job on a small community newspaper, and attempts to capture and describe the experience.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Sprinkled with humour, opinion, and personal experience, this book discusses the uniqueness of community newspapers. It considers that journalists enter the small newspaper market trained only to work for large newspapers; helps journalism students decide if community journalism suits their goals and personality; and explores concerns and means of improvement. It is presented in a manner intended to inform, reassure and reinspire current and prospective editors of small newspapers. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Iowa State Pr; 1st edition (August 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813823099
• ISBN-13: 978-0813823096
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,696,242 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bijou, May 19, 2001

By 

Terry Calhoun (Oak Island, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Community Journalism (Paperback)

This is a little treasure for any journalist. Upon returning to the field after a 30-year sabbatical, Lauterer's 1st Ed. of same title became my "refresher" textbook -- and much more. It reinforced my own sense of ethical responsibility, which Lauterer describes in terms of human decency. Lauterer, now a UNC lecturer, melds pedagogy with practical magic wrought from his own personal experience in the boonies. Holding four college degree, I have read many textbooks -- This is undoubtedly the most readable. If you have any interest in journalism, you'll find this a worthwhile read.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lauterer is a journalist you need to know..., September 24, 2001

By 

J. Autrey "jimmyplm" (Asheville, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Community Journalism (Paperback)

Jock Lauterer is one of the best journalists that I've ever met. Don't let the fact that he focusses on small town newspaper work fool you...he has a wealth of knowledge to share with this book that ANY sort of young journalist should read about.

I am fortunate enough to be one of Lauterer's students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and he has proven to be a true inspiration. His dedication to his work is absolutely contagious!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rock solid research and advice to aspiring publishers., December 30, 2003

By 

Travis C. Ward "C. William Anderson" (Silverton, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Community Journalism (Paperback)

This is a terrific book for any aspiring publisher considering trying to improve their community by starting a weekly newspaper.

As a former magazine publisher and journalist for a Gannett-owned weekly newspaper I can speak with some authority regarding this book - buy it, read it, ponder it, then read it again and again.

Jock Lauterer writes from experience and does a great job on getting you to understand the world of local news reporting - there is no comparison with the media giants so forget about lumping yourself with greats such as Dan Rather or Walter Cronkite or Barbara Walters.

At the community level, though, it is you who will be setting the agenda that will evolve into next year's headlines!

Actually, every once in awhile you will be the first to report on something that later does become of national interest - in 1980 the little paper in Powell, Wyoming reported of the discovery of a long-thought extinct Black-footed ferret near Cody, Wyoming. In 1990 I wrote a small blurb regarding Iraq's invasion of Kuwait that became the defining and deciding issue of a congressional campaign in Oregon.

You will especially appreciate the lessons learned described in Chapter 20 - Two case studies of community newspaper start-ups. Lauterer gives a good narrative on two occasions in which he started community newspapers - one a stunning success, the other less successful but not at all a failure. His honest appraisal of the latter serves as a good reminder to anyone thinking about trying to invest their life savings and their soul in their ideals - Bill Anderson.