ASNE's Mission Statement
Posted 8/27/2009 10:04:00 AM

The American Society of News Editors is dedicated to the leadership of American journalism. It is committed to fostering the public discourse essential to democracy; helping editors maintain the highest standards of quality, improve their craft and better serve their communities; and preserving and promoting core journalistic values, while embracing and exploring change.

ASNE's priorities are:

• To protect First Amendment rights and enhance the free flow of information.
• To drive the quest for diversity and inclusion in the workplace and newspaper content.
• To promote the newspaper’s role in providing information necessary to the informed practice of citizenship.
• To encourage innovation and celebrate creativity in newspapers.
• To respect and encourage the involvement of all its members.

Strategies for accomplishing the mission

• Seek alliances with like-minded industry groups.
• Encourage members to help one another improve their newspapers.
  Develop on-site visits and other outreach to newsrooms.
  Share success stories with members.
• Reach out to members.
  Lead newspaper technologies into the next century.
  Provide new ideas for shaping the craft of journalism.
  Help editors face change and challenge.
• Support the emergence and development of a free press around the world.
• Re-examine all the activities and committees of the ASNE to determine if they fit the mission statement.
  Establish new committees on "Change" and "Newspapers and the Changing Technology."
• Study how public debate of issues takes place and how newspapers can become more involved in the process.
  Explore programs funded by foundations.
  Generate new projects.
• Support quality education and training for journalists
  Work through the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
  Encourage newspapers and editors to get involved in high school journalism.
• Continue to emphasize core values.
  Awareness of the First Amendment and the role of the press in society.
  Freedom of information.
  Newspaper coverage of elections and other issues of democracy.
  Diversity in newsrooms and news coverage.
  Accurate, fair and complete news reports.