Greater Govanhill

A local resident empowered her Glasgow neighborhood to reclaim its narrative and tell its own stories — with a constructive approach.

Why don’t people trust the media? Because the stories don’t reflect what they are experiencing on the ground.

That was Rhiannon Davies’ assessment in the neighborhood of Govanhill in the Southside of Glasgow, Scotland. Big media outlets were spinning a negative narrative about her community, but missing positive developments and nuances. She and her neighbors felt the disconnect deeply.

“I think it’s only in the local journalism context that we can really rebuild trust that has been lost in the media,” Davies said at the 4th Global Constructive Journalism Conference in Bonn, Germany.

With a population of about 18,000, Govanhill is Scotland’s most ethnically diverse neighborhood. Some 88 different languages are spoken in its 1/3-square-mile area. Immigration has driven overcrowding and strains on local infrastructure; at the same time, there is a vibrant volunteer community and a rich arts-and-culture scene.

All those elements are reflected in Greater Govanhill, the free community magazine that Davies founded in 2020. She had spent the year prior talking to people and organizations, at bus stops and cafés, about what they would want from a magazine.

"To grow community, it's about showing up,” she said. “But showing up in a way that's not just about getting in and getting a story. Going to things, like community meals and classes, without a journalist bent at all. Showing that you're there for them and gaining their trust that way."

Greater Govanhill Founder Rhiannon Davies | Social Enterprise Scotland

“Greater Govanhill is a free community magazine in the Southside of Glasgow. It takes a solutions-focused approach to the stories that matter to the neighbourhood — and it provides a platform for under-represented voices in our community.”

Greater Govanhill publishes a website, a newsletter and a bimonthly print magazine. It is set up as a social enterprise (a community nonprofit), with funding from memberships, advertising and grants. Memberships range from the equivalent of $5 to $13 a month. The organization has sought small grants for specific projects, as well as longer-term funding for stability.

Here’s a look at how Davies and her team have integrated the methods of Constructive Journalism at the community level:

Solutions reporting: Davies does not see her outlet’s job as finding the solution to a local problem and telling people what it is. Rather, she sees it as engaging with the community and bringing in new ideas to consider. "You're never going to find a city or neighborhood that's exactly like the place that you're covering,” she said.

Equipping non-journalists: Rather than working with professional journalists, they teach local people the basic principles of journalism. In 2022, more than 150 people contributed with writing, editing, illustrating and photography. They commissioned articles from all walks of life, with the majority of articles written by first-time published writers. Says Davies: “It's almost easier, because they don't have those journalistic biases.”

Sample projects:

• "Govanhill Talks" — Using the "My Country Talks" model to connect local people who spoke different primary languages.

• A radio show led by and hosted by refugees in the area, allowing them to tell their own story.

• "Life Before Govanhill" — A simple column written by rotating residents about their country of origin, breaking barriers and giving insight into neighbors' lives.

Community newsroom: The magazine's efforts are aided by its physical space, the Community Newsroom, shared with investigative outlet The Ferret and used for trainings and free events. The newsroom rents desks to local journalists or other individuals looking for a place to work. Community members drop by throughout the day to share story ideas and talk about local happenings.

More about Greater Govanhill

• The Academy of Urbanism gives an overview of the neighborhood’s renewal in awarding it The Great Neighbourhood Award (2022).

• Rhiannon Davis talks about the magazine’s founding and approach at the Constructive Institute’s Listen Louder conference (2022).

• Journalism.co.uk shows how the shop-front newsroom aims to connect with locals (2023).