Panelists
Ronald Farrar
began his career as a newspaperman but found his greatest satisfaction in journalism education.
Dr. Farrar’s biography of Walter Williams, “A Creed for My Profession: Walter Williams, Journalist to the World,” was published in 1998 by the University of Missouri Press. (read more)
Dean Mills
is a professor and the dean of the Missouri School of Journalism. His research interests include international journalism, journalism ethics, cross-cultural journalism and qualitative methods. (read more)
Mike Fancher Bio
A 2008 – 2009 Donald W. Reynolds Fellow, Mike Fancher retired from The Seattle Times last year after 20 years as executive editor. During his tenure The Times won four Pulitzer Prizes and was a Pulitzer finalist 13 other times.
A story about his retirement quoted a Seattle official as saying, “Under Mike, the paper was fearless about tackling subjects it thought were important to the community. There were a lot of people in the community who didn’t like that. But, at the same time, the paper was gutsy, and fearless in admitting when it made a mistake.”
A competing editor said, “As a competitor, no one was tougher than Fancher. He’s incredibly creative on both the strategic, visionary level and at the tactical street fights that are part of winning and losing readers. The Seattle Times under Fancher was ahead of most newspapers in figuring out how to thrive in an increasingly complex media environment. The cornerstones were a comprehensive local news report, an emphasis on public-service investigative reporting, and assembling a stable of columnists and critics with singular, strong voices.”
Fancher is devoting his Fellowship year to the question, “What is the Journalist’s Creed for the 21st Century?” His research explores how shifting elements, such as the relationship between journalists and the public, affect the values and principles of journalists today and in the future. In addition Fancher serves as an adviser to the Knight Commission and is a frequent speaker at industry, civic and academic gatherings.
Creed Conversation with Dean Mills and Ronald Farrar
April 1, 2009Creed Conversation with Dean Mills and Ronald Farrar
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Citizens' Forum
If Walter Williams were alive today, how would he react to the challenges that face journalists? What might the author of “The Journalist’s Creed” make of digital technology and its impact on the profession of journalism?
Dean Mills, Dean of the Missouri School of Journalism, and Dr. Ronald Farrar, author of "A Creed for My Profession," a biography of Walter Williams, explore these questions in a conversation moderated by Mike Fancher, Reynolds Journalism Institute Fellow.
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The Missouri Press Association is like the older sibling of the Missouri School of Journalism. Founded in 1867, 41 years before the J-School, MPA provided an early platform for Walter Williams to make his case that journalists needed to be trained as professionals. Williams was in the first class of inductees to the Association’s Hall of Fame in 1991.
When I asked MPA Executive Director Doug Crew if I could use the Association’s wonderful video about “The Journalist’s Creed” as part of my project for the Reynolds Journalism Institute, he said, “Yes,” without hesitation.
I want to thank the Missouri Press Association, not only for the use of this video, but for its generous cooperation. Special thanks to Crews and Vicki Russell, MPA president for 2009, for their encouragement and support.
-Mike Fancher