15 Comments
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Michael Waldholz's avatar

Nice remembrance, Dick. Much thanks.

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Peter Kann's avatar

Great column dick.

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Doyle McManus's avatar

Tangible proof that Dick Tofel’s lesson is sound: that great front page,

and the great bylines on it.

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Terry Adamson's avatar

Thank you Richard. A story valued and important.

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Henry E (Hank) Scott's avatar

A very moving remembrance!

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Tim Isgitt's avatar

I really appreciate this remembrance and reminder, Dick. Thank you.

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Gordon Crovitz's avatar

Thank you. I worry that it has become more difficult for news organizations to build the culture you accurately describe for The Wall Street Journal when so many are under budget and other pressures. Also, thanks for reminding me of the day I fully appreciated my new BlackBerry!

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Richard J. Tofel's avatar

Thanks for this, Gordon. I certainly agree that budget pressures make it more challenging to instill a sense of shared mission, but I also think there remain countless examples of newsrooms where the two co-exist. That said, I wrote the piece because i think that sense of shared mission and empowerment is far from universal-- and because I think working to instill it is an imperative for newsroom leaders today.

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Barbara Raab's avatar

Lovely way to remember the day. Thanks.

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Judith Ginsberg's avatar

This is a beautiful piece! Thank you.

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Alex Curley's avatar

I think people sometimes forget that the classic tenants of US journalism that are being challenged right now - reporting without retribution, proper sourcing, fact checking, accountability, public trust - culminate in a newsroom that is clear, focused, and aligned in times of crisis, like you so beautifully described. Not that we shouldn't demand better of the press, but the work of creating an environment where newsrooms can produce meaningful journalism is a partnership with the public.

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Postcards From Home's avatar

Tenets. [recovering copy editor]

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Alex Curley's avatar

Thank you. Huge facepalm...but it is funny to think about them as paying rent to journalism!

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Postcards From Home's avatar

We all do it. Autocorrect isn’t our friend either. Some of its suggestions on my grocery list horrify me.

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REX SMITH's avatar

It’s a beautiful piece, Dick, and your message is resonant for both journalistic organizations and every enterprise that is produced by teams.

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