The Gazette Community Advisory Board

We need news to live our lives, protect ourselves, bond with each other, identify friends and enemies. Journalism is simply the system societies generate to supply this news. That is why we care about the character of the news and journalism we get: they influence the quality of our lives, our thoughts, and our culture.

Bill Kovach, Tom Rosenstiel, "The Elements of Journalism"

If you care about the character of news, and the journalism you get, here's an opportunity for you to do something about it. The Gazette Community Advisory Board offers you the opportunity to discuss newspaper content with Gazette Editor Jeff Thomas.

As a member, you'll discuss:

• The perception of bias in news reporting and presentation
• The relevance of Gazette news coverage to the readership
• Completeness of Gazette coverage
• Identification of areas for improvement
• Citizen journalism

Ten applicants will be chosen to participate on each Community Advisory Board. Chosen applicants are expected to attend one meeting a month for four months (January to April; May to August; September to December). Each meeting will last approximately 1-1/2 hours. Food and coffee will be provided.

In an effort to make participation as convenient as possible, we've partnered with the Pikes Peak Library District and the YMCA to develop an advisory board right in your neighborhood.

An official call for applicants will run in The Gazette approximately 6-8 weeks prior to the start of a new board. For more information, call 636-0384.