What’s happening at the Reynolds Journalism Institute?

 

“Ensure that journalism has a long and bright future.” That the mission of the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute at the University of Missouri (whose journalism school is long recognized as one of the nation’s best), according to its executive director, Randy Picht. As the field of journalism and the media evolve, being open-minded and eclectic in pursuing the institute’s goals is key, says Picht. This November, News & Tech had the chance to check in with Picht about the thinking and the projects powering the institute.

News & Tech: Your website states: The Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute engages media professionals, scholars and other citizens in programs aimed at strengthening journalism in the service of democracy. RJI generates and tests new techniques and new thinking that promise to improve journalism. What can you tell us about new techniques and thinking that are emerging from the institute today, in these tough times for many media operations?

Randy Picht: When we think about strengthening journalism we generally are thinking about helping local journalism, so that’s usually the first question we ask when thinking about launching a new project or collaborating on one. A project is much more interesting to us if its goal is to create new opportunities for a local newsroom, save an editor or producer time or help overcome a nagging problem.

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