| How To Use This Handbook
Author: Michele McLellan
Published: August 15, 2002
Last Updated: August 15, 2002
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The
handbook and accompanying case studies provide newspapers a toolbox for addressing
important credibility issues.
Keep in mind
that successful use of these tools requires the commitment of the newspaper
and its top editors. You must make it a priority.
This book
provides:
- A handbook identifying
practices that will help you and your staff improve and build trust in four
areas that matter most to the public: reader connections, community connections,
accuracy and ethics.
- A discussion section
that contains 17 guides you can use to teach and build understanding in
your newsroom.
Here are ideas
for using these materials:
- Read the introduction
and “Getting started” portions of each of the four chapters of the handbook.
Pick one, or perhaps two, broad areas where you think your newsroom can improve.
Don’t tackle everything at once; start where you have the best chance of success.
- Read the remaining material
in the chapter or chapters you’ve chosen, including “Moving from philosophy
to practice” and the accompanying discussion questions and tips. Think about
what approaches might work best for you.
- Identify staff members
who can contribute ideas (including skeptical ones) to this effort. Go beyond
senior editors and reach out to all newsroom departments. Ask members of this
committee to read the chapter or chapters you’ve chosen and brainstorm with
you. Start to define your newsroom’s problem and identify possible solutions.
- The final chapter of
the book, “Discussion guide,” contains cases and scenarios that will help
your staff examine important issues of credibility. Use these guides in discussions
with a wide range of staff members. For more tips on these discussions, see
page 129.
- Bring your staff committee
back together to chart a course of action. Keep it focused and practical.
Make sure your staff has a chance to react to your plan before it becomes
final.
- Give your staff the
tools they need to carry out the plan. Many of them are available in the handbook’s
tips and resources.
- Put your plan into effect.
But don’t stop there. Make sure you notice and praise even small efforts to
fulfill credibility goals. Continue holding regular staff discussions of progress,
examples of good work and areas that need more effort. Use the discussion
guides to build more sessions around your own case studies.
- Keep at it. When your
work takes hold in one area, such as accuracy or reader connections, start
building in another area.
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