J
uly 31 was a memorable day for me. It really kicked up my love of democracy, local journalism and community engagement. That evening, hundreds of folks showed up in to watch “Undivide Us” and participate in the Above the Noise Initiative, a statewide project led by Rocky Mountain Public Media in partnership with the Colorado Press Association, Colorado Media Project and CSU. The initiative brings together a network of local media outlets to create a stronger Colorado by deeply listening to the experiences of people who live here in our coverage area.
Special thanks for making the evening possible go to Kyle Hybl and Stella Hodgkins of El Pomar Foundation, Amber Coté, Carol Wood and Kim Salvaggio of Rocky Mountain PBS, and especially, Martin Carcasson, founder and director of the Center for Public Deliberation at Colorado State University.
Before the screening, we asked people to describe their political perspective with one word. Interesting results in the graphic at the top of this page.
Politicians, traditional media, and social media fan the flames of toxic partisanship, undermining the values and institutions that unite us. The film “Undivide Us” encourages us reclaim the nation’s soul through discourse, civic engagement and self-governance. My take away thought on the film’s message: before I say, “I disagree,” say “I understand.”
Above the Noise leads the way in training and providing resources to newsrooms like the Pikes Peak Bulletin on methods of deep, ongoing community listening, facilitating constructive discourse and building trust through ongoing relationship building.
Let’s keep talking folks; we are listening! Is polarization real? I believe that most people dislike polarization. I really believe there is more that unites us than divides us. Let’s reimagine civic education together. Stay tuned for updates as we bring “Undivide Us” back to Colorado Springs to engage younger voters and citizens from 18 to 30 years old. One of the questions I have for this younger group: how do we create empowered citizenship in the digital age?
Colorado sources of local news, including newspapers, radio, TV, online, magazines and non-traditional community news sources, equals a total of 594 outlets. The Above the Noise initiative will create a stronger Colorado media ecosystem amidst a threatening landscape of lack of funding, resources, and capacity for these local news outlets across the state. This goal fosters a resilient and sustainable journalism ecosystem that adapts to and evolves with change, ensures equity in roles, and supports diverse and impactful storytelling. We at the PPB are so happy to be a part of this initiative.
Recently Rocky Mountain Public Media’s Journalism Director Jeremy Moore’s work on Reality Check, found the following: 1). National misinformation narratives trickle down to local communities. 2). More than 70% of people are not confident they can spot misinformation. 3). Polarization makes engaging new audiences difficult. 4). Trust in news and journalism is near the all-time low of 2016. 5). AI intelligence is rapidly changing the ecosystem. 6). Serious lack of resources and skills makes it difficult for local news outlets to respond and engage with the public. See more at RMPBS.org/specials/reality
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Throughout its history, the Pikes Peak Bulletin has been a trusted news source. In its new iteration, the Bulletin looks to the future as a nonprofit news organization, with renewed purpose and energy. It is our goal to respect and honor the Bulletin’s service in the past, while working every day to create a newspaper that will serve our communities for decades to come. We are “community powered”!
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For more info on Above the Noise: RMPBS.org/Above-the-Noise; on “Undivide Us”: UndivideUsMovie.com; and for the CSU Center for Public Deliberation: CPD.ColoState.edu.
To support local journalism, subscribe or donate to the Pikes Peak Bulletin at PikesPeakBulletin.org.