Values, value and impact: “Good journalism, better societies” in practice
Ever wondered what IMS’ slogan “good journalism, better societies” means practice? IMS’ latest publication unpacks what IMS understands by “public interest journalism”.
It also provides journalists and their business, marketing and technology colleagues with a step-by-step guide to designing and implementing strategies for producing journalism that:
- Embodies their ethical principles and editorial values.
- Has the impact they strive for.
- Creates value for those with the resources to sustain their public interest journalism in the medium- to long-term.
The Values, value, and impact handbook for journalists and media developers starts from the premise that public interest journalism is a mission-driven media outlet’s main asset.
Ethical standards, editorial values and the aim of having a beneficial impact on society distinguish public interest journalism from disinformation and other forms of media content.
The more that journalists and media outlets make a difference to the lives of people they serve, the more likely those people will be to give them the money, time, attention, data and support so desperately needed to sustain public interest journalism.
The handbook builds on the experiences of journalism entrepreneurs and an extensive review of research and grey literature.
“Values, value, and impact offers a holistic methodology and ready-to-use tools designed to assist any mission-driven media outlet,” says Iryna Vidanava, co-founder of Belarus’ CityDog online magazine and business viability adviser with IMS. “It demonstrates how any media outlet can integrate its value proposition into the editorial and business sides of its operations, effectively bridging them.”
Media development agencies like IMS can also integrate the handbook’s approach into their programming, says Waqas Naeem, a journalist and media development consultant in Pakistan. This would help media partners find “the funds, time, space and peace of mind to design and test their strategies while still paying the bills.”
All this matters now that journalism is no longer the exclusive domain of professionals working for specific institutions. Public interest journalism is increasingly defined by the ways in which it is practised, the qualities of stories produced, and the impact they have, rather than by the institutions and individuals telling these stories.
For more information about the handbook and its approach, contact IMS head of Journalism and Media Viability, Clare Cook: cck@mediasupport.org.
