Publication Type: Abstract
Abstract: Distinctions between communities of interest and communities of place are common in the literature. This paper argues that positive community development and change is more likely to occur when both types of communities are present. It is more likely to occur when there is a community of interest about a community of place. Communication using both traditional media (e.g., newspapers, television) and new media (e.g., internet) is essential in developing such communities. Drawing upon sociology, community development, and communications theory and research, a conceptual framework is developed for understanding the role of media in developing a community of interest about a community of place and examples are presented. Implications of current trends in media (e.g., civic journalism, citizen media, community journalism) for community development and change are discussed and the significance of community communications both as a field of study and to the practice of public sociology is emphasized.