Tag Archives: values

How Do You Define Good Journalism?

This is a big question–I realize that.  As, you could dedicate a whole blog to the topic. For the sake of this post, the key point I want to share is:

“The supreme test of good journalism is the measure of its public service.”

These are not my words, as they were actually written over 100 years ago. Walter Williams, the founder of the world’s first journalism school (Missouri’s School of Journalism), actually penned this statement as part of the larger Journalist’s Creed. It was relevant then, and it’s still relevant today.

In a world with media producing jokers (thanks Steve Radick for the tip on that one!), content thieves, and link lovers, it’s sometimes hard to gauge journalism’s credibility and relevance. But let’s not lose hope too quickly–instead, let’s promote good journalism. For example, I say “here, here” to Valerie Maltoni’s call to action–asking all of us to work harder and do better to link to and develop original content (I include myself here). Let’s devote our attention, eyes, and keyboards to those who are doing good journalism.

I know I take a more liberal definition of journalism. In fact, it’s because of the very words “public service” within the Journalist’s Creed that inspired me to study and do social marketing. For journalism, to me, in its truest sense, is a public service.

Thoughts–How do you define good journalism? and what other ways can we, as bloggers and citizens, reward and promote good journalism?

flickr credit: gadgetgirl

Defining Your Organization’s Story

I believe the importance of storytelling is currently under-utilized in the market–yet it’s becoming ever more needed. As a customer myself, I value companies that take a position, that share their values and back them up with action–companies that are more than a company–but a passionate group of people not afraid to add to the manuscript.

But as an organization–how do you get everyone on the same page? Sure–a communications brief, a missions statement, or a value statement might provide a route to defining one’s table of contents. However, constructing those documents can be an intimidating, formal and painstakingly long process. So, I have another remedy for you.

Jump over to Ogilvy PR’s recent post where Patagonia’s VP of Marketing shares Patagonia’s story. The simple, bullet format provided offers insight into the values Patagonia has, the position it takes and how it translates both into business.When done reading, try the exercise out for your own organization. Try it with a colleague or even try it with a customer–what were your answers? Did you have an answer? And if you did the exercise with someone else–how’d the answers differ?

Now, my next question: What process might you recommend for an organization wanting to define its story?

PS: I want to give props to an organization who is doing this right (examples always help)–> Worldways Social Marketing. The title of their blog is my favorite title of any blog, We Take Sides. It tells me where they stand. It gives me a feel for the type of company they are, and communicates to me that they are a passionate group of people who believe in what they do–without any corporate speak. Your turn: Who do you think is doing it right?

flickr photo credit: JeremyHall