Day in and day out, we bring readers news and information that keeps them informed, helps them understand what is happening around them, and can make a difference in their lives. We in Gannett are in a company made up of dedicated people who want to serve readers and meet their changing needs. Our journalists take these responsibilities seriously and carry out their work conscientiously. The Gannett Principles of Ethical Conduct for Newsrooms. Yet we have come into a time when the media and the people who work in them are under heavy scrutiny and, sad to say, often face disregard.
Surveys show declining support for many aspects of media performance.
News-gathering techniques, in particular, come under sharp criticism. We in the Gannett Newspaper Division firmly believe that we must take assertive steps to assure readers that we provide essential news coverage gathered in an honorable way. Toward that end, we are emphasizing several approaches, all of which must be carried out effectively to help improve reader perceptions, satisfy reader needs and better serve our communities. Again, all are essential, but this Editorially Speaking issue focuses on our high standards of news gathering. At a meeting of Gannett publishers, editors and corporate staff executives in June 1999, the Newspaper Division Principles of Ethical Conduct for Newsrooms were introduced.