Steve Herman has spent decades reporting from the front lines of global journalism, covering presidential administrations, international crises and the inner workings of power as Voice of America’s senior White House correspondent, bureau chief and chief national correspondent. Today, as executive director of the Jordan Center for Journalism Advocacy and Innovation at the University of Mississippi, he is helping lead a new phase of the industry’s evolution — not just reporting the news, but redefining how it earns public trust.
That effort took shape at a recent symposium in Oxford, Mississippi, where journalists, academics and media leaders gathered to confront what many see as a deepening crisis of credibility. Out of that discussion came the 2026 Oxford Declaration on Journalistic Integrity and Public Trust, a framework designed to establish baseline standards for transparency, accountability and ethical practice across the modern information ecosystem.
Herman did not hesitate in describing why the industry has reached a point where a formal framework is even necessary. “The reason that journalism needs a declaration right now is because of the suspicions about journalists and journalism and the low level of public trust in journalism,” he said, adding that “this entire industry is changing so quickly” that even defining the profession has become contested. In that environment, he warned, “I don’t think if you got four or five academics and journalists in a room right now, they could even agree on what is a journalist,” yet the urgency remains undeniable because “the house is on fire and we need to respond to that.”
For Herman, the declaration is not meant to settle those debates, but to force them into the open. He emphasized that “this is an opening statement, an opening salvo to all of our colleagues out there,” and not a rigid doctrine. In fact, he stressed that “we’re not saying that this is the final word, in fact, just the opposite,” positioning the effort as a catalyst for broader industry reflection.
Transparency as a foundation for trust
At the core of the declaration is a call for what Herman describes as “radical transparency,” a concept that extends beyond traditional ethics statements. He said newsrooms must be “very frank, very open about how we do our jobs, where the money comes from for our newsrooms,” while also encouraging journalists to “talk about the backgrounds of the journalists.”
That transparency, he argued, must extend into the community itself. News organizations should “get out in the community, talk to the Kiwanis, the Lions Clubs, invite people from the community into your newsrooms,” rather than operating as a one-way channel. Ultimately, Herman said, “we need to explain to the public better who we are, what we do and how we do it,” framing openness as a necessary step toward rebuilding credibility.
AI and the question of authenticity
Artificial intelligence represents one of the most immediate challenges addressed in the declaration. Herman acknowledged the limitations, noting “we’re probably not going to reach 100 percent traceability on that at any time,” but emphasized the importance of acting now. “We’re still in a sort of nascent stage with this. Let’s try to set some ground rules,” he said.
His concern centers on the impact AI could have on trust. Herman warned that “we don’t want to have AI basically playing the role of journalists,” because the perception of authorship matters. “If people think, well, there’s not even a real person behind this reporting, is that going to help with our public trust issue or make it much worse?” he asked, underscoring the need for transparency in how AI is used.
A changing definition of journalism
Beyond technology, Herman pointed to a broader shift in how journalism itself is defined. He noted that generational differences are reshaping expectations, explaining that “the definition… is going to be a lot different” between experienced professionals and younger entrants raised on digital platforms.
Those differences are already visible in how audiences respond to emerging technologies, according to preliminary research conducted by the Jordan Center. Herman said “younger people were not as good as being able to discern” between real and AI-generated news audio, yet “they were vehemently against” accepting it. These contradictions, he suggested, reflect deeper uncertainty about what journalism is and should be, reinforcing that “both of those are issues we need to work on.”
Balancing principles with survival
For publishers, the question remains whether these principles can coexist with economic reality. Herman acknowledged the pressure directly, saying “for a lot of publishers out there… it is right now about survival.” Still, he remains optimistic that values and viability are not mutually exclusive. “I believe so. I’m optimistic,” he said.
He pointed out that the tension between quality and revenue has long existed, recalling that in earlier eras “you lived or died by the ratings,” where “performance… wasn’t at the top of the list… it was the ratings.” Even then, newsrooms sought balance, trying “to find a mix” between audience-driven coverage and substantive reporting.
Today, Herman cautioned that “a lot of what’s out there these days is totally eye candy,” lacking depth or lasting value. Yet he also sees evidence that audiences still respond to quality. He noted that leading publications “continue to put out… quality publications,” suggesting that “there is a niche out there for quality, for first-rate journalism” and that “there does seem to be the appetite for that.”
A starting point for the industry
Herman returns repeatedly to the idea that the declaration is a beginning, not a conclusion. “It’s a starting point,” he said, expressing hope that it will influence broader discussions across the industry. He added that “it’s not something that’s set in stone,” and should evolve as the conversation continues.
He is also clear-eyed about its limitations. “Did we answer that question totally? No, absolutely not,” he said of the effort to restore public trust. But he believes progress is already underway in a more fundamental sense. “Did we get more people thinking about it… and raise consciousness… that this is a really serious problem? Yes,” he said.
In an industry grappling with rapid change and declining trust, Herman sees that awareness as essential. The declaration does not resolve journalism’s challenges, but it forces the conversation forward — and, for now, that may be the most important step.
|
|
|
1 comment on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
gkrehbiel
I found this amusing.
"The reason that journalism needs a declaration right now is because of the suspicions about journalists ..."
Not because journalists are biased. Not because we have every reason not to trust them. But because of the suspicions.
Very telling.
Tuesday, May 5 Report this