In 1914, the founding dean of the Missouri School of Journalism wrote The Journalist’s Creed, a 300-word affirmation of the ethics and practices of the craft. It begins, “I believe in the profession of journalism.”
Back then, journalism students were required to memorize the creed in its entirety. Those days — thankfully — are gone, but today it’s arguably harder than ever to believe, especially if you also believe in the value of a big salary and job security.
And, of course, professional news organizations have more competition than ever before. Blogs and aggregators draw readers away, and they make it harder for professional organizations to profit from the journalism they produce.
Thankfully, there are people who still believe in the profession of journalism. I’ve met them here at the University of Missouri, working in professional newsrooms and at the Poynter College Fellowship. They’re entering the profession at the worst time possible, and they know it — and they’re excited about it.
They — and I — get a chance to revitalize this profession. We’ll bring it back to its roots of engaging storytelling and watchdog reporting. Meanwhile, we’ll adapt to this Internet age, looking for new ways to tell our stories keep the important role we play in society.
When Walter Williams wrote his creed, I’m not sure he knew how relevant it would be a hundred years later. Today, believing in the profession of journalism is as important than it has ever been. But judging by the aspiring journalists I’ve met, the profession is in good hands.
