Freedom forum handbooks aim to help media restore public trust, credibility

Free Press/Fair Press Project highlights best practices for journalists

09.08.00

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ARLINGTON, Va. — The Freedom Forum has released two handbooks aimed at helping journalists rebuild public trust in the media. The books, "Best Practices for Newspaper Journalists" and "Best Practices for Television Journalists," examine public concerns about the media and outline practices that newspapers and broadcasters follow to gain credibility with readers and viewers.

Recent surveys and a series of Freedom Forum discussions with community leaders, citizens and journalists found widespread mistrust of the press, lukewarm support for press freedom, and an array of journalistic practices the public regards as unfair. In a recent First Amendment Center survey, for example, 51 % of respondents said the press in the United States has too much freedom to do what it wants. In the discussions held around the country, participants voiced a number of specific complaints about press performance, including inaccuracy, bias, unwillingness to correct errors, arrogance and overemphasis on violence and sensationalism.

"The public wants a free press, but expects a fair press," said Charles L. Overby, chairman and chief executive officer of The Freedom Forum. "These handbooks are not a set of rules for journalists, but they are intended to help restore public trust in the media by raising the standards for fairness."

Robert J. Haiman, president emeritus and distinguished editor in residence at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Fla., and former executive editor of the St. PetersburgTimes, is the author of the handbook for newspaper journalists. The handbook for broadcasters was written by Av Westin, former vice president of ABC News and former executive producer of the "ABC Evening News." The books were developed as part of The Freedom Forum's Free Press/Fair Press Project, which was launched in 1998. They are being distributed to daily newspaper and TV newsrooms and to journalism schools across the country.

The books focus both on basics, such as the need for good research and careful fact checking, and on broader issues including ethics and legal concerns. For example, to counter racial or cultural bias:

Newspapers can require all reporters to have "rainbow Rolodexes" that include a diverse list of spokespeople on major news topics and can establish regular content audits to ensure that coverage is inclusive and reflects the diversity of the community.

Broadcasters might find CNN's 20-minute "Through the Lens" production useful in countering unintentional bias. Every new CNN staffer is required to view the video, which identifies types of news coverage susceptible to imagery and narration that promote unintentional stereotyping.

Interviews with authors Haiman and Westin can be arranged through Donna Fowler, director/communications, The Freedom Forum, 703/284-2887.

Review copies are enclosed. Individual copies of the handbooks are available from The Freedom Forum. Send e-mail or call 800/830-3733 and request 00-M04 for the newspaper handbook and 00-M05 for the television handbook.