| This study examined whether there is a correlation between the level of awareness and support of civic journalism and the actions they manifest. The 77-question survey was used to answer the research question: Is there a correlation between a publisher's or editor's agreement with the tenets of civic journalism and the adoption of specific civic journalism practices? Virtually all community newspaper publishers and editors used civic journalism practices, regardless of personal agreement with the tools, philosophies, or labels. Respondents who said they did not like the philosophies, tools, or label of civic journalism in community newspapers were focused on the needs of their audience. But, the group did not identify with any part of the civic journalism movement.;This is the first study to find such a prevalence of press activism among newspapers---of any size---that had not already been labeled as civic journalism practitioners. The study is also the first to find such a strong use of civic journalism practices---even among editors and publishers who have not embraced the civic journalism philosophy. |
