I was planning to attend the Journalism That Matters conference at the Poynter Institute that started today, but a snowstorm in Atlanta re-routed my flight to Huntsville, Ala. which is where I’ll be for the night. (I hope to make it to Poynter tomorrow.)
Ellyn Angelotti, Poynter’s digital media guru and conference co-organizer, just sent me a direct message on Twitter, trying to include me in the process.
What is your best possible outcome for your experience at JTM (when you get here)?
Here’s my reply:
Good question. Having been through many, many discussions on the future of news in Seattle lately, I am fully past the discussion phase and hungry for action. But it’s difficult to form an action plan that can be used by everyone who is practicing journalism today: legacy and corporate news organizations on one end of the spectrum and independent journalism start-ups on the other.
But, challenging as that seems, that would be be my “best possible outcome.” Maybe it’s a Code of Innovation, much like the code of ethics and fairness that we’ve long agreed on (for the most part). A short list of practical values that would guide decisions and strategy for news operations of all sizes.
The bonus would be brainstorming an actual independent journalism start-up that could be launched as a pilot project to test the Code and its principles.
Of course, any such action plan would have to include business model strategy, too. I’m anxious to see how much business discussion there will be during the Poynter gathering, which runs through Wednesday.
(Mostly, though, I’m anxious to get out of Alabama and join everyone there.)
Mark Briggs 
Posted in 
