Cronkite School introduces journalism ethics professorship

The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at ASU is creating a new visiting professorship in journalism ethics in honor of deceased pioneering newswoman Edith Kinney Gaylord.

The Cronkite School will receive $120,000 over three years to fund the position, which is being provided by the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation of Oklahoma City. Gaylord founded the organization in 1982 with the goal to improve the quality and ethical standards of journalism.

"Edith Kinney Gaylord was an exceptional journalist and community leader who supported projects that promote education for journalism professionals, provide students with the opportunity to learn the craft and give universities necessary tools to fulfill their journalistic mission," says Robert J. Ross, president and chief executive officer of the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation.

A national figure in journalism ethics will fulfill the visiting professorship each spring semester beginning in 2007. The visiting scholar will conduct workshops for students, faculty and professional journalists regarding ethical standards for today's journalists. The professor also will work closely with the Joan and David Lincoln Center for Applied Ethics at ASU.

"The foundation board is pleased to continue her legacy by funding a visiting professorship in journalism ethics at the Cronkite School, a journalism program dedicated to high quality and ethical standards throughout its curriculum," Ross says.

The Cronkite School's dean, Christopher Callahan, says the Edith Kinney Gaylord professor will play a critical role as the Cronkite School increases its focus on journalism ethics.

"Journalism ethics today is more important than ever," Callahan says. "For newspapers, television news and online media outlets to survive and thrive, they must improve the bonds of trust between them and their readers and viewers."

Gaylord, the daughter of Daily Oklahoman publisher E.K. Gaylord, launched her journalism career at her father's newspaper in 1937 after graduating from college. In 1942, Gaylord joined the Associated Press in New York and the following year went to the AP's Washington bureau, where she covered the Franklin Roosevelt administration and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt during World War II.