Director's Message for 2008

As 2008 begins, it is important to remember that the quality of business journalism isn't dictated by media company earnings, ownership changes, staff reductions or the latest newsroom technology.

It is decided by the spirit and professionalism of confident, well-trained journalists knowledgeable about what they're reporting or editing. They know sophisticated coverage of the world of money significantly affects all readers and viewers where they live, work and play.

While the past year was a difficult transition period for many newsrooms, it did not keep good journalists down. The Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism saw hundreds of eager journalists from around the country attend our free one-day workshops and take our weeklong online seminars and self-guided tutorials.
Many more consulted our BusinessJournalism.org Web site each day, while our practical research on topics such as green business coverage was widely disseminated.

Our inaugural Barlett & Steele Awards for Investigative Business Journalists drew an inspiring flood of entries from the nation's publications and online sites. It was a strong field that underscored the resolve of dedicated journalists to make a difference.

In 2008 the Reynolds Center promises to:

• Offer the finest in one-day business journalism workshops to help journalists do their jobs better. Investigative, multimedia, broadcast, private companies and writing with style are among topics scheduled for our workshops around the country. Presenters are first-rate journalists and educators. Registration, descriptions and locations are here.
• Provide a quality, daily BusinessJournalism.org Web site with sound advice on improving coverage as well as the latest on what's happening in the field of business and business journalism. "The Pulse" and other new columns are indicative of our accelerated coverage.
  
• Expand business journalism education at universities through our internship and scholarship programs, as well as our weeklong Business Journalism Professors Seminar. The quality of business journalism can be stronger if training begins sooner.
  
• Deliver practical research on timely issues that most affect business coverage. Careful study of how business is actually covered and how business perceives journalists is key to the profession. The results of our most extensive research project ever will be released this spring.

The Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism is a place where things happen and the long-term future matters. From sub-prime lending to company profiles, from financial red flags to using video to tell business stories, we're on top of it.

In 2008 the Reynolds Center will move with Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication from our current location in Tempe to a dramatic new building in downtown Phoenix. These ultra-modern surroundings correspond to our own ambitious future goals.

Technological and organizational change that affects business journalism is underway. We're betting on journalists to survive it and prosper. Business journalism is important and so is each and every business journalist.

Copyright © 2008 Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism