The Poynter Institute is a non-profit journalism school and research organization located in St. Petersburg, Florida. It serves as a resource for journalists, news organizations, educators, and the public, promoting excellence in journalism and informed citizenship. Through training, research, fact-checking, and educational initiatives, Poynter aims to strengthen democracy by fostering a more trustworthy and transparent media landscape.
The Poynter Institute was founded in 1975 by Nelson Poynter, the owner and chairman of the St. Petersburg Times (now the Tampa Bay Times) and Congressional Quarterly. Poynter's vision was to create a school dedicated to the practice and ethics of journalism, ensuring that the profession would be equipped to serve the public interest. He bequeathed the majority of his stock in the Times Publishing Company to the institute, providing it with a substantial endowment to support its mission.
The Poynter Institute's work can be broadly categorized into the following areas:
• Journalism Training: Poynter provides a wide range of training programs for journalists at all stages of their careers. These programs cover topics such as reporting, writing, editing, digital media, leadership, ethics, and diversity. They offer both in-person workshops and online courses.
• Media Literacy Education: Recognizing the importance of media literacy in a digital age, Poynter develops and promotes resources for educators and the public. These resources help individuals learn how to critically evaluate information, identify misinformation, and understand the role of journalism in a democratic society. They also work with educators to integrate media literacy into curricula.
• Fact-Checking (PolitiFact): Poynter is the home of PolitiFact, a Pulitzer Prize-winning fact-checking website that rates the accuracy of claims made by politicians and public figures. PolitiFact uses a transparent methodology to assess claims and publishes its findings for public consumption, holding those in power accountable for their words.
• Research and Analysis: Poynter conducts research on the challenges and opportunities facing the journalism industry, including topics such as media business models, digital transformation, and the impact of social media on news consumption.
• Convening and Thought Leadership: Poynter hosts conferences, workshops, and other events that bring together journalists, educators, and other stakeholders to discuss critical issues facing the media. They also publish articles and reports that offer insights and analysis on the state of journalism.
The Poynter Institute's work is directly relevant to the core principles of democracy and social justice through:
• Promoting Truthful Information: By upholding journalistic ethics and conducting fact-checking, Poynter contributes to a more informed public discourse. Accurate information is essential for citizens to make informed decisions and hold their leaders accountable.
• Combating Disinformation: PolitiFact and other Poynter initiatives actively combat the spread of disinformation and misinformation, which can undermine trust in institutions and manipulate public opinion.
• Empowering Citizens through Media Literacy: By providing media literacy education, Poynter empowers individuals to become critical consumers of information, making them less susceptible to propaganda and manipulation.
• Supporting Ethical Journalism: By training journalists in ethical practices, Poynter helps to ensure that the media serves as a responsible and accountable watchdog over government and other powerful institutions.
• Promoting Diversity and Inclusion: Poynter recognizes the importance of diverse voices and perspectives in journalism. They offer training and resources to help news organizations create more inclusive newsrooms and cover diverse communities more effectively.
The Poynter Institute is primarily funded through its endowment, as well as grants, donations, and revenue from its training programs. Its financial independence helps to ensure that it can pursue its mission without undue influence from outside interests. The governance structure is designed to maintain its independence and commitment to journalistic ethics.
The Poynter Institute plays a crucial role in strengthening democracy by promoting excellence in journalism, combating disinformation, and empowering citizens with media literacy skills. As a resource for journalists, educators, and the public, Poynter contributes to a more informed, engaged, and resilient society.
The Poynter Institute is a global nonprofit that strengthens democracy by improving the relevance, ethical practice and value of journalism. Through teaching, publishing, convening, fact-checking and media literacy, Poynter creates a crossroads where communities come together to use journalism to confront society’s complex problems.
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The Poynter Institute for Media Studies is a non-profit journalism school and research organization in St. Petersburg, Florida, United States. The school is the owner of the Tampa Bay Times newspaper and the International Fact-Checking Network. It also operates PolitiFact.