Journalism’s Post

Sustainable journalism is an emerging area that emphasizes the ethical and responsible reporting of news and information. It is an important component of a healthy and functioning democracy because it informs the public, holds those in power accountable, and encourages civic engagement. Sustainable journalism is fundamentally about delivering important stories in an accurate, fair, and interesting manner. It is about giving the public the knowledge they need to make educated decisions and participate in the democratic system. Accuracy is a basic principle of sustainable journalism. To keep their readers' trust, authors must aim to deliver the most accurate and dependable material available.

Do you own a radio station that covers news? If so, there may be that rare time when you’ll encounter an ethical dilemma in your journalism and will have to decide how to proceed. Dealing with ethical dilemmas can be scary, as making the wrong choice can lead to the detriment of your sources, yourself, and your station. But knowing how to handle them with integrity can lead to outstanding journalism and your brand’s growth. Read our latest article about navigating ethical dilemmas in your broadcast journalism on the Live365 blog.

JOURNALISM Journalism is the art of storytelling through the lens of truth and integrity. It is a vital force in a democratic society, serving as the bridge between the public and the world. Journalists seek out facts, uncover hidden truths, and present information in a way that informs and engages the public. Their work not only highlights issues and events but also holds power accountable, ensuring transparency and fostering informed discussions. At its core, journalism is about amplifying voices, sparking conversations, and shaping the narrative of our times.

Here are some key characteristics of excellent journalism: 1. Accuracy: - Meticulously fact-checking information from multiple reliable sources - Correcting errors promptly and transparently 2. Objectivity: - Presenting a balanced and impartial perspective, avoiding bias - Seeking out and incorporating diverse viewpoints 3. Thoroughness: - Conducting in-depth research and investigation - Providing comprehensive context and analysis 4. Timeliness: - Reporting news and events in a timely manner - Anticipating and responding quickly to breaking developments 5. Clarity: - Communicating information in a clear, concise, and accessible way - Using straightforward language and avoiding jargon 6. Ethical Integrity: - Adhering to strict journalistic ethics and standards - Maintaining independence and resisting undue influence 7. Creativity: - Employing innovative storytelling techniques and formats - Approaching stories from unique and thought-provoking angles 8. Accountability: - Acknowledging and correcting mistakes - Being transparent about the reporting process 9. Public Service: - Serving the public interest and informing citizens - Holding those in power accountable 10. Courage: - Reporting on sensitive or controversial topics despite risks - Standing up to pressure and threats These characteristics work together to create journalism that is accurate, impartial, impactful, and trusted by the public. The best journalists strive to uphold these principles in their work, even in challenging environments.

READ: Journalism is a very fast-paced industry, and while we’re chasing people for comments or chasing deadlines, it’s easy to lose sight of the basics of reporting which can result in an error or two. Here's how to make sure you get it right. https://lnkd.in/dwnmpNPy

Way back in August of 1988, I walked into Anthony Moscatello's journalism class at Notre Dame High School, and the very first lesson he wrote on the board was this: "If your mother says she loves you, check it out." What might sound like a flippant line makes a lot of sense. You don't simply take something a person tells you and run to the presses with it. You double-check it. You triple-check it. You make sure the statement is 100 percent accurate before the morning edition hits the streets - because, if you're wrong, you and the paper lose credibility (as well as possibly face some form of lawsuit). While my life's work led me away from the field of journalism, what Tony Moscatello taught me way back when is my cardinal rule when it comes to regulatory - and it should be yours as well. If you don't have documentation from a producer saying a resin is compliant with a specific regulation, you should not make any such statement. The price you pay if you're wrong is far too steep, both for you and the company you work for. The best advice I can give: if you're quoting a resin to a customer, find out what compliances they need it to meet. Then, before you even sample the material, ask your company's regulatory team to confirm it will be in compliance - and always have a plan "B," "C" or even "D" ready to offer the client.

Interesting piece by Jussi Latvala on why transparency in journalism is not a panacea to fix the trust gap with audiences. https://lnkd.in/edQjSfxZ I went on a similar journey starting from the idea that if only the audience saw inside all of our rigorous journalistic processes then they would trust us more than some random blogger or tweeter. I'm now don't think that's the case. It turns out that most of the audience don't seem to care very much. I remember a point on the Guardian news desk when we started publishing our news list for the day. That felt like radical transparency and to do it we had to overcome the objections of colleagues who argued (understandably) "won't that make it easy for the Times/Mail/BBC etc to copy our best stories". Transparency feels like the right thing to do ethically but it opens cans of worms. You can't be transparent about some vulnerable sources for example. And many decisions are, let's face it, made on gut instinct which someone looking in from outside might quite legitimately disagree with. Trust is a complicated thing, particularly in the chaotic and cynical information environment we now inhabit. The most important thing journalists can do I suspect is get it right and correct quickly and openly when they don't. Most of the audience probably doesn't care much about looking inside the sausage factory.

Factchecking is a key journalistic value, as well as crucial to combatting mis- and disinformation. In this blog post from last year, Emilie Lehmann-Jacobsen explains what factchecking is, how it has emerged as a genre of journalism and what should be factchecked: https://lnkd.in/dDMYm7ti

I'll be straight up with you, I hate the text standards of journalism. Nothing against journalists, okay? It's just all too square and not focused enough on user experience. When interviewers ask me to show an example of a Press Release in my portfolio, I tell them I don't have one, that I only have a "Release", and here's the difference: - A Release is all about showcasing company or product updates, like in the example below. Unlike a press release, I don't focus on the media outlets, but rather on how much the user can benefit from the update, how they can use it, tweak it, adjust it within their routine, where they can find it within the product, and other details. - A press release is a very traditional text format and follows rules like a paragraph can't have less than 2 lines. A Release just thinks about how the text will look visually on the page, how it'll be easier for the reader to absorb the information, and how I can make the reading easier for them. So, I'll put in 1-line paragraphs if I think it'll be better for the user. My work will always be user-centered and I will never follow rules that prevent them from understanding a text.