Welcome to WNOI News, where journalism meets truth and integrity! We stand as a beacon of reliable information in a world consumed by sensationalism and questionable reporting. Our commitment to delivering the unbiased truth shines through with every word we write and every story we cover. Join us on this exciting journey as we dive deep into the heart of news reporting, unraveling stories that matter most with unwavering dedication. Get ready to embrace the power of authentic journalism – because here at WNOI News, credibility is not just a buzzword; it’s our way of life.
What is WNOI News?
The mission of WNOI News is to provide quality journalism and information while promoting truth and integrity. We strive to be an ethical and informative source for the community.
WNOI News was founded in 2009 as a student-run news organization at Western Illinois University. Our team of dedicated journalists strives to produce quality investigative journalism while keeping our readers informed with timely, relevant stories.
We cover various topics, including education, politics, health, crime, etc. Our journalists are experienced reporters with backgrounds in print media and broadcast journalism. We take pride in accurate and comprehensive reporting while maintaining high journalistic standards.
We aim to serve the community by informing them about important events and issues in their area. Through our journalism, they will better understand the world around them and better make informed decisions.
History of WNOI News
The WNOI News team has been working to provide the community with up-to-date news and information. The team is dedicated to providing quality journalism while maintaining integrity and honesty.
The history of WNOI News can be traced back to 1978 when then-student journalist Jessica Howe started covering campus news for the Albion paper. Over the years, she has partnered with other journalists to form what is now known as the WNOI News team.
In 2000, then President of WNOI Bill Emerson announced a new policy to see WNOI become an independent media outlet. This move allowed the station to focus on investigative journalism and storytelling.
In 2010, after many years of hard work, the station hired its first full-time editor, Ryan Pettibone. In 2013, Pettibone was promoted to Managing Editor of WNOI News. Under his leadership, the station has continued its investigative reporting and storytelling tradition while expanding its reach online and on social media platforms.
In 2017, Pettibone retired as Managing Editor but remains active in journalism by teaching at Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
The history of WNOI News indicates its mission statement, “To serve our community by providing accurate and objective news coverage while upholding journalistic integrity.” The staff at WNOI News strives for continuous improvement in their craftsmanship to.
The mission of WNOI News
WNOI News is a public media outlet that strives to provide quality investigative journalism and serve as a watchdog for the community. Our mission is to give the public the information they need to make informed decisions and hold those in power accountable.
Journalism can create a more open and honest society where everyone can access accurate information. We pledge to uphold our journalistic principles of truth, integrity, accuracy, and timeliness.
Our reporters are dedicated to using their skills and knowledge to uncover the stories that matter most to our community. They strive to be transparent with their work, answer readers’ questions, and continue striving for excellence every day.
Principles of Journalism
Journalism is about finding the truth. It’s about telling stories that matter and holding people and organizations accountable. It’s about providing information that people can use to make informed decisions. And it’s about upholding ethical principles so readers can have confidence in the information they receive.
Here are five fundamental principles of journalism:
1. Accuracy:
Journalists must report accurately, whether getting the facts right or checking sources for accuracy.
2. Fairness:
Journalists must give all sides of an issue fair consideration and report on what they find, not just what they want to hear.
3. Independence:
Journalists should be free from influence from anyone outside the newsroom – including advertisers, political groups, or officials – so they can report objectively and without bias.
4. Impartiality:
Journalists must avoid favoritism towards any group or person and strive for balance in their coverage of events.
5. Privacy:
Journalists must protect the privacy of individuals quoted or mentioned in their stories unless it is necessary for the public to know those details.
Ethics of Journalism
Journalism is a complex and vital profession. It is critical to inform the public about issues that matter to them and hold those in power accountable. Journalism is about telling the truth – investigating a case, exposing corruption, or reporting on events.
However, as journalists, we are also responsible for our readers and viewers. We must be careful not to mislead them or cherry-pick information to support our opinions or agendas. Suppose we need to uphold these standards of honesty and integrity. In that case, we risk losing the trust of our audience – which could lead to decreased circulation, lost jobs, and even loss of credibility.
As journalists, we must maintain high accuracy and fairness standards when reporting newsworthy events. We should always strive to be objective and impartial when covering controversial topics while still providing readers with accurate information. We must remember that facts are more important than opinions – no matter how strongly we feel about an issue.
Standards of Journalism
The Standards of Journalism project is a collaborative effort to create an agreed-upon set of principles to help journalists produce accurate, fair, and balanced reporting.
The project was launched in 1988 by the American Society of Newspaper Editors and has since grown to more than 200 member organizations. The project’s goals are “to promote high standards in journalism and to provide training and education for members concerning those standards.”
The project’s main principles include:
1. Accuracy: Journalists must be truthful and accurate in their reports. They must not distort facts or omit important information that could bias readers’ understanding of events.
2. Fairness: Journalists should strive for fairness in treating individuals and groups. They should report information accurately, fairly, and without discrimination or favoritism.
3. Balance: Journalists should give equal attention to both sides of an issue when reporting on public affairs. They should avoid favoring one side over the other, whether in the selection of sources, the wording of stories, or the presentation of arguments.
Guidelines for Reporting
Journalism is a critical tool in maintaining a democratic society. It helps ensure that the public can access accurate, honest information.
Journalists must adhere to guidelines for accuracy and truthfulness when reporting on controversial or sensitive topics. These guidelines promote transparency and help maintain public trust in journalism.
Journalists should always seek sources with objective information. When investigating a story, reporters should contact relevant government agencies, experts, or other credible individuals to get a complete picture of the situation.
Journalists should avoid leading readers or viewers down predetermined paths when gathering information. Rather than giving biased opinions, reporters should present all sides of an issue without favoring one perspective.
When reporting on sensitive topics, reporters must also be cautious about their language and avoid inflammatory rhetoric. In some cases, it may be necessary to withhold particular details from the public to protect the safety of individuals involved in the story or prevent further violence.
To uphold these guidelines and protect the integrity of journalism, training is essential for journalists at all levels of experience. Educating reporters on accuracy and truthfulness will help them make informed decisions while reporting critical stories.
How to Report a Story
Reporting a story is an integral part of journalism. It can help you tell the truth and ensure your reporting is accurate. Here are some pointers for novel writing:
1. Get the facts straight.
When reporting a story, be sure to get the facts straight. Ensure you have all the information you need to make an accurate story. This includes verifying what you are reporting with other sources.
2. Be fair and impartial.
When reporting a story, be fair and impartial. This means you should treat everyone in the deck fairly, regardless of their position or background. Be careful not to bias your reporting in favor of one side or the other.
3. Follow up with sources.
Always follow up with your sources to verify information when reporting a story. This will help ensure that your report is accurate and unbiased. Additionally, it will help you build relationships with your sources, which can lead to more reliable stories in the future.
How to Cite Sources
When citing a source in your work, it is essential to use the correct information. The following are guidelines for citing sources in WNOI News:
1. Always identify the source material’s author, title, and publisher.
2. Use quotation marks around direct quotes.
3. Indicate the date of publication or production.
4. Give the page number(s) from which you obtained the information.
Conclusion
The WNOI News team strives for our stories’ highest journalistic integrity and truth. Through a commitment to accurate and unbiased reporting, we can help build a better community by shining a light on important issues. Thank you for reading, and please stay tuned for more news from the WNOI News team!