Time for Transparency
By Butch WardMuch has been made of journalism's diminished credibility and what can be done…
Butch Ward is senior faculty and former managing director at The Poynter Institute, where he teaches leadership, editing, reporting and writing. He worked for 27 years in newspapers, at The Philadelphia Inquirer and Baltimore News American, and was managing editor in both newsrooms. Before joining Poynter in 2005, he spent three years being covered by journalists as vice president for corporate and public affairs at Independence Blue Cross in Philadelphia. Ward has taught and facilitated programs for a variety of newsrooms and journalism associations, including the Committee of Concerned Journalists, American Society of News Editors and Associated Press Media Editors. He has taught leadership and narrative writing to journalists in South Africa and Australia, and has helped lead specialized Poynter conferences on subjects ranging from gun violence to America’s New Veterans to the impact of social media in election campaigns. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Ward lives in Wallingford, Pa., with his wife, Donna, who helps run the library for a kindergarten academy of 250 students. Their daughter, Caitlin, is pursuing a nursing degree. Their son, Coley, and his wife, Suz, live in Newton, MA, with Cassidy, the most beautiful granddaughter in the whole, wide world.
By Butch WardMuch has been made of journalism's diminished credibility and what can be done…
Now here's a question: If I post a comment or a photo on the Web,…
The controversy sparked by Don Imus' comments about a Rutgers basketball team prompted an e-mail…
By Butch WardPat Quigley and I worked together at The Philadelphia Inquirer in 1984. Pat…
By Butch WardFor the first 27 years of my professional career, I was a journalist.…
By Butch Ward Scanning the Web on Saturday morning for coverage of Saddam Hussein's execution,…
By Butch Ward Have you ever tried running while looking over your shoulder? I have.My…
Visiting Ocean City, Md., this past weekend, I found in the local newspaper -- The…
CORRECTION APPENDEDFor some of my old bosses, it will come as no surprise that while…
By Butch Ward Every now and then, an editor will call me with a question…
TO: Brian TierneyFROM: A Reader RE: Owning NewspapersDear Brian,And so,…
Editor's note: Last fall, Butch Ward wrote a letter to his adopted daughter, Caitlin, addressing…
By Butch Ward My friend, Andrew Smith, is in his first editing job. And he…
As part of my assignment for the 2006-2007 edition of "Best Newspaper Writing," I spoke by…
By Butch Ward We were discussing leadership qualities a few months ago in a conference…
Get the Poynter newsletter that's right for you.