Principles of Community Journalism
In recommending a standard of journalism to contributors, we are not so much setting arbitrary rules and standards, as emphasising that the value of blogging to the community at large depends on maintaining a relationship of trust between the writer and the reader. The principles outlined here are ones which the editorial staff at Podport value, and which we encourage all contributors to reflect in their media activity. If you are committed to practicing community journalism, then these principles deserve your careful attention.
Accuracy
If you are not sure of the facts, then your story may not be ready to publish. Accuracy is such a key contributor to reader confidence and trust that you can’t afford to mess with it. The more accurate the story, the less time required to publish corrections and apologies.
Thoroughness
There is a lot of stuff out there to read. If you want to pursuade people that your stuff is worth reading, then it pays to be thorough in how you put your story together. By bringing together key elements of a breaking story, we add value to our publication.
Fairness
If we are to promote informed opinion and discussion, then we need to avoid bias in how we present issues. Endeavour to present diverse views, and allow the issues to speak for themselves.
Transparency
Nothing will damage your credibility more than failing to disclose a relationship between yourself and some element of your story. IF you have an axe to grind, acknowledge that you are swinging an axe, don’t try to hide it under your shirt. While Community Journalists have greater editorial freedom to approach stories, they must also impose their own standard for disclosing relationships with their story subjects.
Independence
Your most valuable commodity as a Community Journalist is your independence. Preserve it through your ethical approach to how you write and what you write about.