Missouri School of Journalism Sees Opportunities for a New Golden Age for Journalism's Role in Society, Democracy

WASHINGTON, March 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Confronting a maelstrom of changes in the environment for journalism, the Missouri School of Journalism today affirmed the important role journalism plays in a democracy and announced a sweeping strategic plan to maintain and build its leadership in journalism and to better prepare students for the challenges of a new era.

Dean David Kurpius made his remarks at the National Press Club as part of the 2017 Missouri-Hurley Symposium titled "Fact-Checking, Fake News and the Future of Political Reporting." The panel - White House correspondents, Washington bureau chiefs, fact-checking experts, media critics and former White House officials - shared their strategies for covering the new administration. Major Garrett, a Missouri School of Journalism alumnus and CBS News' chief White House correspondent, spoke at the luncheon.

"The need to assert the underlying ethics and principles of journalism could not be more urgent," the dean said in introducing the School's comprehensive long-term plan.

"Our bold blueprint builds on the core values found in The Journalist's Creed, equips young journalists to serve as watchdogs over the powerful and prepares them for legitimate reporting the day they graduate," the dean said. "Their future is bright: Truth-seeking and honest and fair reporting have many opportunities for a new golden age."

The plan elevates an already strong curriculum in critical thinking, writing and reporting embedded in the First Amendment, Kurpius said. Another major differentiator in the long-term plan is a more complete integration of the School's research arm into the curriculum and the industry at large. Resources at the School include 21 professional programs and partnerships and the Reynolds Journalism Institute, dedicated to advancing the profession of journalism. RJI's new trustingnews.org website focuses on building trust and credibility for news coverage.

The Journalist's Creed, written by founding Dean Walter Williams, is displayed at the National Press Club, at the School of Journalism and around the world. Copies of it were made available to all symposium participants and can be downloaded at journalism.missouri.edu.

"We are committed to ensuring that future journalists and citizens benefit from the work of free and independent journalists within our democratic society," Kurpius said. 

About the Missouri School of Journalism
The Missouri School of Journalism, the world's first, is the international leader in journalism education. Some of the best journalists in the world have learned their profession through the Missouri Method, which provides practical hands-on training in six professional news outlets – Columbia Missourian, KOMU-TV, KBIA-FM, Vox Magazine, Global Journalist, Missouri Business Alert - and two strategic communication agencies – AdZou and Mojo Ad.

The School works with the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute to help create a bright future for journalism. RJI, along with 21 institutes and centers headquartered at the School, provide numerous research, networking, collaboration opportunities and other resources. Students and faculty earned top awards and recognitions – more than 560 in the 2015-16 academic year – from international, national and other organizations.

Contact:
Suzette Heiman
[email protected]
573-529-0371

SOURCE Missouri School of Journalism

Related Links

http://journalism.missouri.edu