Journalism: Editorial position

By Margie Doyle

My editorial position is that the traditional journalistic standards must continue even as “citizen journalism” and technological advances change the face of news delivery.

In reporting the news, this means that the news events that happen daily in our lives must be reported factually with enough background information to make the historic significance clear.

Government at all levels benefits from objective reporting on its activities.  Journalists must work towards making transparent the workings of government at all levels through questions, research and investigation. At the same time, coverage of government’s more tedious and undramatic work must also be maintained.

Those who become newsmakers through achievement or effort deserve as much news as those who are newsmakers through crime or misfortune. Bad news has a notoriety all its own, while the neglect of positive, constructive events is a disservice to a community. Sincere questions and an openness to answers support the perpetual cultivation of curiosity that folds new data into established expectations. An attitude of questioning must be internalized by editors, as well as required by journalists.

Beyond that, the editorial responsibilities include sincere and respectful opinions after judicious reflection and/or prosecutorial reasoning. Editorials have the power to lead peoples’ thinking and action, and they should be voiced by those with proven gravitas or expertise in their field.

Discourse with journalists to assist them in getting clear reporting in their stories is also the responsibility of editors, and education of their staff requires management skills.

Consideration of advertisers or cronies or powerful officials comes to the editor as naturally as it does to any other business person; this is where courage and integrity are called upon, and the willingness to be unpopular.

In recent years, a new challenge falls to editors  — to manage the interactivity of online news delivery, making sure the site is most accessible and reputable as it advances.

The influence of the editor to present facts, shape opinion and facilitate resolution is powerful and should be undertaken only by those who truly enjoy shouldering the complex tasks that fall upon editors’ shoulders in service to their community.