U-T editor to lead national organization of professional journalists

U-T Editorial and Opinion Director Matthew T. Hall takes the helm today as the new president of the Society of Professional Journalists national organization.

The SPJ has about 6,000 members, with local chapters nationwide, including in San Diego. It was founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi. It is “dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior.” The organization “promotes the free flow of informa- tion vital to a well-in- formed citizenry.”

Following is a Q&A with Hall (who remains as the U-T editorial page editor) about his SPJ post and journalism today. His SPJ term lasts for one year.

Q:

What are the current big issues facing the SPJ?

A:

The same ones facing the industry: a problem with dwindling journalists and members; a need to build more diverse, equitable and inclusive newsrooms and to involve and empower more women and journalists of color; an imperative to ensure young journalists have the training and technology they need to ensure the industry endures; a battle against fake news and the growing distrust in the media; the mental health challenges posed by the pandemic.

It’s an overwhelming list at an overwhelming time. But one of my early journalism mentors told me, “Tell the story you can today and tell the rest tomorrow.” That’s what we’ll do: Make progress one step, one day, at a time. We’ll do what we always have: Fight for the First Amendment. Highlight ethical journalism. Advocate for journalists — and the people whose stories they tell.

Q:

You’ve been in journalism as a reporter and editor for more than 25 years. How are the current times different from the past?

A:

The times are more perilous for the industry, which is not to say I’m pessimistic about its future. But we need to give people a reason to pay for news, and reframe the whole model, from one of customers to members. We can’t count on advertisers. We have to create a community of members who support our work because of its value to the community. People need to realize that support for local news is support for local communities. We need to make that clear.

Since 2004, publishers have shut down at least 1,800 newspapers, creating more and more “news deserts.” The number of U.S. newsroom jobs has plummeted from an estimated 114,000 in 2008 to about 88,000 last year. In that span, newspapers cut more than half of their workers, from about 71,000 to 35,000. Those jobs aren’t coming back. Yet people’s appetite for news is bigger than ever.

We need to figure out how to do the work that matters for communities that value it, and that means listening to more people than we ever have. News is not a transaction. It’s a conversation, a community-building exercise without end. That’s how journalism is different now. Same ethics, same aim for the truth, but a new appreciation for audiences.

Q:

I’ll get emails and calls from some readers who accuse the mainstream media of being biased against President Trump. How do you respond to that?

A:

I tell people there is no monolithic mainstream media. There are individual reporters and editors at individual outlets, and if anyone has an issue with any particular story, that person should reach out to the journalists involved in it.

The journalists I know work tirelessly to get to the truth of a story and will answer questions about it via email or phone or social media (often early in the morning and late at night). It’s the job of a journalist to hold the powerful to account, and it’s also our role to fact check what politicians say.

President Donald Trump twists the truth on a regular basis and often lies outright, so the journalists writing stories about him have an obligation to do as SPJ’S Ethics Code says and to “seek the truth” and “minimize harm.” That means minimizing harm to themselves, their sources, their subjects, their audiences, their outlets. The way they do that is by treating people fairly and reporting things accurately. To that end, I’d say that journalists aren’t biased against President Trump. They’re biased in favor of the truth. Yes, journalists should be called out on mistakes and omissions. They should correct errors publicly and prominently. And then not repeat them. The journalists I know do that.

Q:

What are your priorities as president of this national organization?

A:

I’d like to focus on advocacy and diversity. We have a new strategic plan that keys in on emerging journalists, including students; that urges newsrooms to make staff and management demographic data public on a regular basis, as the Union-tribune began doing this year; that explores the possibility of greater advocacy in Washington, D.C.; that tries to amplify new and diverse voices; that seeks more sustainable business models for journalism and that embraces and employs technology and innovations smartly. If we can make headway on that strategic plan, we’ll position SPJ, which got its start in 1909, for many more years of success and growth.

Q:

Anything else you would like to add?

A:

I think it’s a pivotal time for our industry. We need to better reflect, respect and serve our communities. We need to work to restore the trust that we too often took for granted. We need to better explain distinctions between news and opinion, teach media literacy and preach the importance of ethical journalism.

I often say, “A free press isn’t free. Journalism costs money and less journalism costs society.” So when I become president of the Society of Professional Journalists, I will be looking out for the Society but also for society in general. I want to help journalists do better work, and help their communities be better for it. I don’t think that’s asking too much or aiming too high.

Business columnists and politics

Readers will not see Phil Blair’s “Career Advice” column in the Business section on Mondays for at least a couple of months. That’s because he is running for one of three open seats on the Del Mar City Council. His column last appeared Aug. 24.

“We don’t want to give someone a platform,” said business editor Diana Mccabe.

He also participates in Sunday’s U-T Econometer feature. He’ll be on hiatus for that, as well.

Business columnist Neil Senturia has a connection to a political campaign. He is married to San Diego City Councilwoman Barbara Bry, who is running against Assemblyman Todd Gloria for San Diego mayor.

Senturia writes the “I’m There for You Baby” venture-capital column that appears on Mondays. Readers will continue to see his articles, however, because he is not the candidate. But Mccabe said the columns must not mention Bry (which they don’t anyway) or discuss San Diego politics.

adrian.vore@sduniontribune.com

Matthew T. Hall