The Importance of Local Media

Since just before the start of the pandemic, over 360 newspapers in the United States have shut down, according to a new report from Northwestern University’s journalism school. This pace of about two closures per week was already happening before the pandemic.

In 2020 alone, approximately 37,000 employees in the news media sector were either laid off, furloughed, or had their pay reduced, as reported by the New York Times. This represents hundreds of thousands of stories lost during the unprecedented time of the pandemic.

Despite many people turning to online and social media for their news, a Gallup report from August 22, 2019, indicates that the news people trust the most comes from TV, newspapers, and radio.

“Truthfully, who I elect to the school board affects me much more than who I vote for president. That’s why we’ve got to get back to rebuilding local news in these struggling communities,” said Penelope Muse Abernathy, the author of the report and a visiting professor at Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications.

Become a Citizen Journalist

Citizen journalism is more than just reporting – it’s about you, our community, informing us about the issues that impact our lives. You don’t need a journalism degree to be a reporter. All you need to do is report on what is happening and what is being said, including the who, what, where, when, why, and how. Your role is vital in shaping our local media. Send your report to contact@fullertonobserver.com

Some Ethics to keep in mind from the Society of Professional Journalists code of ethics

• Integrity in journalism ensures that people and organizations uphold the values of journalism, always strive to do the right thing in all situations, even to their personal or organizational detriment, and put their obligations to the public first.
• Treat those you deal with in your work with respect and courtesy.
• Always identify yourself as a journalist unless withholding disclosure is essential to uncovering the truth in a matter of public importance.
• As much as possible, look for opportunities to “show your work,” sharing with the public the underlying information you have gathered.
• The use of any form of secret information gathering (hidden cameras, secret recording devices, etc.) may be justifiable if it is essential to uncovering the truth in a matter of public importance.
• Provide anyone accused of misbehavior a reasonable opportunity to respond.
• Attribute information to its source unless that source needs to be protected to ensure the truth can be uncovered in a matter of public importance. Where a source needs anonymity, provide it.
• Do not plagiarize. Just put it in your own words.
• Speak for yourself and not for all the volunteers at the Fullerton Observer.
• Accountability is a cornerstone of ethical journalism. When we, as journalists, commit errors, we must correct them and issue an apology. We invite critique and criticism because they help us become better journalists. This commitment to accountability should reassure you of the integrity of our reporting.
• Act Independently. The highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism is to serve the public. Journalists should Avoid conflicts of interest and corruption and resist the attempts of advertisers and special interest groups to pressure or influence them to write anything other than the truth.
• Seek Truth and Report It, but Minimize Harm. Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues, and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect.
• Journalists can influence public perception, and therefore, it’s imperative they practice ethical journalism by ensuring information is true and accurate.
• Do not omit facts that are material to an understanding of what you are reporting on.
• Context is often critical to accurate reporting. Ensure that adequate context is provided.
• Clearly distinguish between fact and assertion or opinion.