Exploring emotionality, and civic empowerment and engagement in online participation: A case study of community reporting website Homicide Watch DC. Issue 1 (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Barnes, Renee
• Is Part Of: Media international Australia. Number 158:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 112
• Page End: 123
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: Civic empowerment -- civic engagement -- crime reporting -- emotion -- participatory journalism; Mass media -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Mass media -- Australia -- Periodicals; Communication -- Australia -- Periodicals; Australia -- Cultural policy -- Periodicals; Médias -- Aspect social -- Périodiques; Médias -- Australie -- Périodiques; Communication -- Australie -- Périodiques; Massamedia; Communication; Cultural policy; Mass media; Mass media -- Social aspects; Australia; Periodicals; 302.23
• DOI: 10.1177/1329878X15622083
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1324-5325

Abstract

This article explores the emotional dimension of online audience participation in relation to crime reporting. Traditionally, crime reporting has been analysed in relation to how it is framed and the impact this has on audience perceptions of crime. However, drawing on a case study of community reporting website Homicide Watch DC, this article will explore the role of meaningful audience engagement in crime reporting and in particular the role of emotionality in this participation, specifically as a catalyst for civic empowerment and ultimately civic engagement.