The Northern Colorado Deliberative Jounralism Project

Information Landscaping

Scientists estimate we process up to 74 GB of information daily, a number that increases by about 5 percent each year. In 2009 for example, the average amount individuals processed daily was 34 GB. This rise in exposure to information can be attributed to the internet which has transformed every facet of information consumption. 

This rapid change accompanies an experience many of us have had – coming across an article while surfing the internet that seems a little…out of place. The headline catches your eye, it could be inflammatory, news that doesn’t pertain to your area, or it could lean heavily towards a particular political party. 

With such a rapid increase in the amount of information we process, our local information ecosystems have seen an immense impact. The change in consumption created a paradigm shift in local journalism and the ways in which journalists distribute information. Journalists, and in particular, local journalists, face a new landscape and continue to race to adjust to the ever-changing newsroom. 

The Northern Colorado Deliberative Journalism Project 

Here in Northern Colorado, a new pathway for revitalizing local media has emerged. The Deliberative Journalism Project (DJP), sponsored by the CSU Center for Public Deliberation, partnered with The Coloradoan, KUNC, Fort Collins Public Media, and the CSU Journalism and Political Science departments are reimagining local journalism in modern times.  

As a part of the DJP team, the Library hosts a monthly program aptly named “The Scoop.” Monthly, the DJP team chooses a topic relevant to news and issues around Northern Colorado. From housing to ranked-choice voting to bridging the political divide, these lively programs are most often led by Dr. Martín Carcasson from the CSU Center for Public Deliberation. Each program features Q & A sessions with local journalists, information on the topic of the month, and mediated debate where different viewpoints are shared and welcomed. “The Scoop” occurs on the third Wednesday of each month. You can register in advance for the program via our online events calendar.

These programs and the project at large align with our philosophy to protect against misinformation by being a hub of free and fair access to knowledge. This ambitious collaboration will allow us and our partners the opportunity to re-engage the community with local journalism and protect our local information ecosystem! 

Coloradoan Conversations 

You might have seen us sharing Coloradoan Conversation posts on our social media – this initiative is a large piece of the current DJP. To facilitate conversations about local issues, the Coloradoan poses weekly questions pertaining to Northern Colorado.  

The goal of these conversations is to spark public discourse; commenting (a Coloradoan feature usually reserved for subscribers) is cost-free. Users simply establish an account with the Coloradoan and are encouraged to give their two-cents on the various questions posed each week. 

Here are just a few examples: 

Has $4 per gallon gas changed how you commute and shop, or are you absorbing the cost? 

How much should Fort Collins, Larimer County leaders spend on open space preservation? 

Is it time to redefine historic preservation in Fort Collins?

What do you make of ‘misinformation’? Tell us about its impacts, join in-person event

Register to participate in the conversation here! 

Get Involved 

Beyond Coloradoan Conversations, DJP events are usually hosted quarterly – past events have included panels on tackling Wicked Problems and misinformation with others focusing on issues impacting local journalism to come! These events are public and available in English and Spanish.  

Additionally, the CSU Journalism, Media, and Communications Department recently launched a website called “NoCoConvos” otherwise know as “The Hub” for all things Deliberative Journalism. A class of journalism seniors has taken on the task of reporting important local topics.

The DJP core team, with representatives from different partners in the project, meets weekly. Once, every other month, the core team meeting is open to the public. Community members are encouraged to join for brainstorming and information on the many facets and goals of the DJP work.  

The information gathered from these events will be used by the DJP team to develop a plan of action to reimagine and improve our local media based on community input. Want to get involved? Sign up for upcoming DJP events or join our public meetings!  

If you’d like to learn more, look at where the project has been covered by the media below or visit the CSU Center for Public Deliberation’s website. 

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Coloradoan Conversations about the Library & the Deliberative Journalism Project

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