The press can affect public affairs by promoting discussion of issues among readers, said Austin American-Statesman Editor Richard Oppel during a February brown bag talk at the LBJ School.
According to Oppel, civic journalism--the movement in which the press becomes involved in public causes and provides leadership by informing the public about problems and possible solutions--must be handled carefully because there is a fine line between providing leadership and manipulating public opinion. He said that he became a critic of the movement when newspapers began "teaming up" to promote single agendas, which reduced competition and the diversity of voices available to consumers. It is healthier, he noted, for newspapers to adopt competing views and editorial policies.
Asked by a student to define the American-Statesman's mission, Oppel said the newspaper's goal is "to inform the public in a rich and engaging way, to have a positive impact on the community, and to help the owners make money."
He also stressed that it is important to promote
the idea that "citizens are part of a region, with all the potential
for broader attention to environmental, transportation, safety, and
economic factors affecting the quality of life."
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13 May 98
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