Public Journalism Without the Public: Problematizing the Public Sphere and Press Credibility in Academic Journals, 1991–2018. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: St. John, Burton; Johnson, Kirsten A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of communication inquiry. Volume 45:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 178
• Page End: 198
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: public sphere -- public journalism -- press credibility -- participatory journalism; Communication -- Periodicals; Questioning -- Periodicals; Inquiry (Theory of knowledge) -- Periodicals; Communication -- Périodiques; Recherche (Théorie de la connaissance) -- Périodiques; 302.205
• DOI: 10.1177/0196859920961029
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0196-8599

Abstract

A review of public journalism journal articles from 1991 through 2018 revealed significant gaps in (a) conceptualizing the public sphere, and (b) ascertaining the credibility of public journalism efforts. These gaps have implications for a press that is becoming increasingly challenged in an era of self-curated news selection and polarization. This work offers conclusions regarding how journalistic engagement efforts can better consider audience perspectives and thereby examine more sustainable footings for a citizen-engaged press.