RJI-fellows

April 1: What Would Walter Williams Say?

What might the author of "The Journalist's Creed" make of digital technology and its impact on the profession of journalism? Dr. Ronald Farrar, author of "A Creed for My Profession," and Dean Mills, dean of the Missouri School of Journalism, explored this question in a conversation streamed live on April 1, 2009, and moderated by Mike Fancher, Reynolds Journalism Institute fellow.

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LINK TO RUNNING NOTES OF THE DISCUSSION

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Renewing the Journalist's Creed --A talk and discussion by Mike Fancher

Wed., Jan. 28, 2009 / Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute / Fred W. Smith Forum

On Wednesday evening, Jan. 28, 2009, Mike Fancher, former editor, The Seattle Times, discussed his 2008-2009 Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute project to "Renewing the Journalist's Creed."

ARCHIVED VIDEO STREAM: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/1102786

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PROGRAM DETAILS:

"Renewing the Journalist's Creed"

Almost 100 years ago, Walter Williams wrote, "I believe in the profession of journalism." Can the journalists of the 21st Century make such a statement? How are the challenges they face different from those of previous generations, and what must they do for public-service journalism to remain viable, relevant and accountable?

Fancher's talk and discussion with members of the Missouri School of Journalism community will take place in the Fred W. Smith Forum of the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute in Columbia, Mo., a state-of-the art facility that is fast becoming one of the nation's premiere venues for collaboration on the future of news and journalism.

Fancher retired from The Seattle Times last year, after 20 as executive editor. During his tenure The Times won four Pulitzer Prizes and was a Pulitzer finalists 13 other times.

A story about his retirement quoted a former deputy mayor and Boeing executive as saying: "Under Mike, the paper was fearless about tackling subjects it thought were important to the community. There were a lot of people in the community who didn't like that. But, at the same time, the paper was gutsy, and fearless in admitting when it made a mistake."

A competing editor said, "As a competitor, no one was tougher than Fancher. He's incredibly creative on both the strategic, visionary level and at the tactical street fights that are part of winning and losing readers. The Seattle Times under Fancher was ahead of most newspapers in figuring out how to thrive in an increasingly complex media environment. The cornerstones were a comprehensive local news report, an emphasis on public-service investigative reporting, and assembling a stable of columnists and critics with singular, strong voices."

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