Truth, Integrity, Transparency, and Community
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Truth, Integrity, Transparency, and Community
That’s Our Vow to You
We live in an age when the news industry is often one of instant updates and social media driven content. In many ways, those ideas run counter to the principles of journalism that we seek at Scott County News: truth, integrity, transparency, and community based content. At the end of the day, those four vital pieces are more important than likes and follows and, though it keeps the publishing world afloat, the almighty dollar. For us, these pillars are not just aspirations. Because we are a part of your community – and deem ourselves your voice – they are the foundation on which public trust is built in our office. Historically speaking, they are they bedrock on which democracy depends.
These ideas are not merely about avoiding falsehoods, but, in them, lie our commitment to you, our readers – to seek accuracy, fairness, and the pursuit of truth, even when that truth is inconvenient, unpopular, uncomfortable, or complex. Ours is a partnership with you – from start to finish – and it is essential to the survival and continuity of community newspapers. That partnership includes your support through newspaper subscriptions and advertising dollars – the dozens of local businesses who support a free and community press – and provide a revenue stream that enables publications, like ours, to continue to support the community, cover local issues and stories, highlight local schools and admirable accomplishments that, in turn, showcase the essence of life in Scott County. We hope those businesses benefit as well, gaining visibility among our readers who trust Scott County News and we ask that you support and thank them. This mutual partnership between the three – advertiser, newspaper, reader – fosters a stronger, more informed community.
In our partnership, we want to keep our side of the bargain and hope you do the same, knowing that our reporters and editors are tasked with – and take seriously – maintaining a clear line between reporting and opinion, and our commitment, as always, is trying to report the story without ourselves becoming the story. Without that ideal, local journalism ceases to inform on what happens in Scott County and begins to manipulate it. That is not now, nor ever will be our goal.
We strive to always be open with our readers – from everything from the sourcing of our information to any potential conflicts of interest. We did that just recently with a disclosure at the end of an article entitled, “We will protect our community.” As a member of the media, we know we must be honest, not only about what we know but sometimes about what we don’t. If we make a mistake, we’ll admit it. If we deem ourselves the voice of the people of Scott County – and we do – then the public also deserves to know the who, why, where, and whens of a story. That’s a commitment we don’t take lightly.
At its best, journalism holds power to account, gives voice to the voiceless, and helps communities understand the world around them. That’s who we are at Scott County News and that’s who we always want to be. Our partnership with Scott County citizens can only work when the public can trust that we are guided by a sense of duty—not by ideology, not by profit, and certainly not by pressure. Informed citizens are the cornerstones of democracy, and that begins with a press that is honest, ethical, and transparent.
Truth is not always simple, but integrity is. Journalism must choose it every day.
To join us on that journey, subscribe to Scott County News. We welcome you to come into our office at 20204 Alberta Street, Oneida, TN 37841, give us a call at (423)-569-8351,or visit us online at scnoneida.net.
Ruthie Mullett, Publisher/Owner
Suzanna Martinez, Managing Editor
Shane Gilreath, Contributing Editor
Jodi Bond, Sales Representative