“Act independently.”
That’s one of a few basic creeds of journalism ethics, and we claim it proudly. At WCPO-9 On Your Side, our journalism decisions – what we decide to cover and how we tell our stories – begin and end every day right here in our Cincinnati newsroom. Our corporate parent, The E. W. Scripps Company, is just a mile away, but our company leaders make it a point to stay out of our local journalism decision-making. They focus on running a strong and secure business; we focus on bringing you the news. You can trust us on that.
This week, another local media company, Sinclair Broadcast Group, is making national news. Perhaps you’ve seen the viral video, created by Deadspin, that shows local journalists in their company reading the exact same words from the same script.
That’s not WCPO. That’s not Scripps.
Our parent company is celebrating its 140th birthday this year. Our station will celebrate its 70th birthday next year. Also next year, it's the 60th anniversary of the Al Schottelkotte News, a fixture of the Cincinnati news scene for nearly three decades. We’re proud of our single-owner steadfast ownership through all those years, and we’re proud of the award-winning work our journalists continue to do today.
At WCPO, you don’t have to worry that our anchors, reporters, digital journalists, photographers – or anyone else – are being told what to read or what to report from outside influences. That’s not us. We are by no means perfect, but every day we strive for perfection. We focus on getting every fact right and in seeking out multiple perspectives on important and oftentimes controversial stories of the day. Further, WCPO is one of the original partners of the Trusting News project, where we’re working with other select media organizations in learning and sharing strategies to demonstrate transparency and credibility and earn trust.
Want more evidence? Here are 9 stories from the past year that prove we really are “9 On Your Side.”
Finally, just as we are independent, we are also accountable to you, and we want to hear from you.
Here are the many ways you can reach out to us:
Breaking News: 513-852-4071 and newsdesk@wcpo.com (24 hours).
Chip Mahaney, news director: 513-852-4040 and newsdirector@wcpo.com. Also via Twitter @chipmahaney.
Feedback Friday (our regular Friday 6 p.m. on-air viewer feedback segment): feedbackfriday@wcpo.com.
Our Facebook page: Facebook.com/WCPO9
Our Twitter account: Twitter.com/WCPO
