Often called public or civic journalism, the movement is so young that some of its proponents say they are still defining it.

This narrow focus also reflects the original idea of the news industry to act as civic journalism.

There have been small increases in circulation at several important newspapers that are experimenting with civic journalism.

"If you want to talk about the sins of civic journalism," he said, "you should look at what we've been doing all along."

With a small but committed following, civic journalism has become as much of a philosophy as it is a practice.

From 1998-99, Rosen wrote and spoke frequently about civic journalism.

Merritt began exploring civic journalism after acknowledging loss of public trust in traditional journalistic values.

Now, she said, it is equally if not better known for being on the cutting edge of Hispanic publications and civic journalism.

With a small, but growing following, civic journalism has become as much of an ideology as it is a practice.

Some think civic journalism is the perfect response to declining readership.