There’s been a great deal written of late about the principles that govern journalism. In this polarized time marked by so much disinformation, many argue that objectivity — a guiding principle when I entered journalism in the 1970s —  has lost its place.

Objectivity, it is said, leads to inadequate reporting or reporting of known falsehoods in the interest of giving voice to all. I am on the side of truth-telling being necessary in these times, but have always favored a pragmatic approach to journalism and let the facts take us where they lead. The old line “reporting without fear or favor” still works for me. Good journalism has always been about truth-telling. It’s always been about being fair and complete. In the end, it’s just about doing the work.

We formally launch Houston Landing today, without the legacy that traditional journalistic outlets face based on long years of practices and viewpoints. (We will not have an “editorial page” nor will we endorse political candidates.) We are unburdened with debates about the past. Ours is a clean slate, bolstered by the nonprofit, nonpartisan, no-paywall principles we embrace, and by carving an independent way to make Houston a better place, but to do so through truthful, thoroughly reported and fair journalism.

Independence is the key. So is transparency in how we do what we do. So is our commitment to under-covered communities and bringing such stories to the larger community. So is an understanding that part of our mission is to preserve democracy and to fight for it. 

We embrace where we live, and we will report in communities that rarely see the media unless there is some sensational crime or natural disaster. This is an incredibly diverse and interesting place, and our independence will help us spend time in communities just listening, building understanding and then reporting back to the community at large. 

Our commitment to diversity is not just about staffing numbers, though it is important to represent the diversity of this area. It is also about being authentic in our reporting, willing in our listening and understanding of differences. 

Our independence also allows us to focus on news, issues and the performance of government and institutions. In other words, we aren’t the place to come if you’re worried about the Astros’ starting pitching or to debate where the best barbecue is in town. Our managing editor, John Tedesco, summed this up very nicely in a column last week. If you haven’t read it, it is worth your time.

I like this quote from Tom Rosenstiel, who teaches journalism at the University of Maryland and who has had a long career as a reporter, press critic and author. He is one of our industry’s best. It was in a conversation convened by Kelly McBride of the Poynter Institute on the objectivity debate.

“The two things I think are really critical are to recognize who you are and what you don’t understand, and recognize why you’re engaged in this in the first place. If you don’t do those two things, you’re going to fail.”

We launch today with eyes wide open and a commitment to our mission of making Houston better one story at a time. 

I wrote this last week but it bears repeating: We ask your help in achieving our goals. We want your feedback and story ideas. We are building an advisory board and will host community events and conversations.

And as a nonprofit, we ask for your partnership. Read our content, sign-up for our free newsletters and donate to support our efforts. We will not accept traditional advertising, so your financial support is crucial to our growth and success. 

We are grateful to be part of Houston and grateful for your support.

Close window X

Republish this article

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Houston Landing's published content is free. Please review our republication guidelines here and give us attribution when you republish our content.

Nonprofit Houston Landing launches full website to cover daily local news with no paywall

by Peter Bhatia / Chief executive officer, Houston Landing
June 7, 2023

<h1>Nonprofit Houston Landing launches full website to cover daily local news with no paywall</h1> <p class="byline">by Peter Bhatia / Chief executive officer, Houston Landing <br />June 7, 2023</p> <p>There's been a great deal written of late about the principles that govern journalism. In this polarized time marked by so much disinformation, many argue that objectivity — a guiding principle when I entered journalism in the 1970s —&nbsp; has lost its place.</p> <p>Objectivity, it is said, leads to inadequate reporting or reporting of known falsehoods in the interest of giving voice to all. I am on the side of truth-telling being necessary in these times, but have always favored a pragmatic approach to journalism and let the facts take us where they lead. The old line "reporting&nbsp;without&nbsp;fear or favor" still works for me. Good journalism has always been about truth-telling. It’s always been about being fair and complete. In the end, it’s just about doing the work.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full"><img src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/20230606_Houston-Landing-Hard-Launch-_MDJ_09.jpg" alt="Man stands by a door" class="wp-image-6554" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Landing CEO Peter Bhatia participates in a proofreading session Tuesday, a few hours before the Houston Landing launched its full news site. (Marie D. De Jesús / Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> <p>We formally launch <a href="https://www.houstonlanding.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Houston Landing</a> today, without the legacy that traditional journalistic outlets face based on long years of practices and viewpoints. (We will not have an “editorial page” nor will we endorse political candidates.) We are unburdened with debates about the past. Ours is a clean slate, bolstered by the nonprofit, nonpartisan, no-paywall principles we embrace, and by carving an independent way to make Houston a better place, but to do so through truthful, thoroughly reported and fair journalism.</p> <p>Independence is the key. So is transparency in how we do what we do. So is our commitment to under-covered communities and bringing such stories to the larger community. So is an understanding that part of our mission is to preserve democracy and to fight for it.&nbsp;</p> <p>We embrace where we live, and we will report in communities that rarely see the media unless there is some sensational crime or natural disaster. This is an incredibly&nbsp;diverse and interesting place, and our independence will help us spend time in communities just listening, building understanding and then reporting back to the community at large.&nbsp;</p> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter" data-effect="slide"> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container"> <ul class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper"> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="A group of people gathers to proofread" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-6540" data-id="6540" src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/HJ6A4471-copy.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Mizanur Rahman, Houston Landing's editor in chief, gives instructions Tuesday during a proofreading session before the official launch of the new organization's full website. (Antranik Tavitian / Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="A man proofreads copy" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-6565" data-id="6565" src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/20230606_Houston-Landing-Hard-Launch-_MDJ_14.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Houston Landing CEO Peter Bhatia participates in a proofreading session of the Landing's full news site Tuesday. (Marie D. De Jesús / Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="A group of people gathers to proofread" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-6543" data-id="6543" src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/HJ6A4530-copy.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Houston Landing reporters and editors discuss the Landing's full website during a proofreading session Tuesday. (Antranik Tavitian / Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="Reporter reads" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-6641" data-id="6641" src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/20230606_Houston-Landing-Hard-Launch-_MDJ_08.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Céilí Doyle, Houston Landing's suburban reporter, checks pages on the Landing's full site Tuesday. (Marie D. De Jesús / Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-6594" data-id="6594" src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/HJ6A4486-copy.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Tim Carlin, Houston Landing's civic engagement reporter, looks over articles during a proofreading session Tuesday before the official launch of the Landing's website. (Antranik Tavitian / Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="Photographer makes photos in a boardroom" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-6539" data-id="6539" src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20230606_Houston-Landing-Hard-Launch-_MDJ_02.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Houston Landing staff photographer Antranik Tavitian documents the newsroom proofreading the full news site Tuesday a few hours before launch. (Marie D. De Jesús / Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-6592" data-id="6592" src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/HJ6A4482-copy.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Maggie Gordon, Houston Landing's columnist, reads articles during a proofreading session Tuesday. (Antranik Tavitian / Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-6598" data-id="6598" src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/HJ6A4496-copy.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Peter Bhatia, chief executive officer, at right, observes as a team of Houston Landing reporters and editors hold a proofreading session before the official launch of the Landing's website Tuesday. (Antranik Tavitian / Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-6595" data-id="6595" src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/HJ6A4488-copy.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">From left, Mizanur Rahman, Jacob Carpenter, and Danya Pérez look over the Houston Landing's new website Tuesday. (Antranik Tavitian / Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="A group of people gathers to proofread" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-6541" data-id="6541" src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/HJ6A4489-copy.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Peter Bhatia, Houston Landing's chief executive officer (right), observes as a team of Landing reporters and editors hold a proofreading session Tuesday before the official launch of the Landing's full website. (Antranik Tavitian / Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="A man photographs a group of people" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-6544" data-id="6544" src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20230606_Houston-Landing-Hard-Launch-_MDJ_11.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Houston Landing staff photographer Antranik Tavitian takes photos of staff members proofreading the Landing's full site Tuesday. (Marie D. De Jesús / Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="Man reads" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-6644" data-id="6644" src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/20230606_Houston-Landing-Hard-Launch-_MDJ_13.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Jacob Carpenter, Houston Landing team leader, checks the Landing's new website Tuesday. (Marie D. De Jesús / Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-6647" data-id="6647" src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/20230606_Houston-Landing-Hard-Launch-_MDJ_03.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Forrest Milburn, Houston Landing's director of audience, works on the new website Tuesday. (Marie D. De Jesús / Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-6651" data-id="6651" src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/20230606_Houston-Landing-Hard-Launch-_MDJ_05.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Paula Solis, Houston Landing newsletter editor, builds a Landing newsletter Tuesday. (Marie D. De Jesús / Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> </li> </ul> <p><a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><a aria-label="Pause Slideshow" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause" role="button"></a></p> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white"></div> </div> </div> <p>Our commitment to diversity is not just about staffing numbers, though it is important to represent the diversity of this area. It is also about being authentic in our reporting, willing in our listening and understanding of differences.&nbsp;</p> <p>Our independence also allows us to focus on news, issues and the performance&nbsp;of government and institutions. In other words, we aren't the place to come if you're worried about the Astros' starting pitching or to debate where the best barbecue is in town. Our managing editor, John Tedesco, summed this up very nicely in a <a href="https://www.houstonlanding.org/these-journalists-refused-to-publish-clickbait-you-wont-believe-what-happened-next/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">column last week</a>. If you haven't read it, it is worth your time.</p> <p>I like this quote from Tom Rosenstiel, who teaches journalism at the University of Maryland and who has had a long career as a reporter, press critic and author. He is one of our industry’s best. It was in a conversation convened by Kelly McBride of the Poynter Institute on the objectivity debate.</p> <p>“The two things I think are really critical are to recognize who you are and what you don’t understand, and recognize why you’re engaged in this in the first place. If you don’t do those two things, you’re going to fail.”</p> <p>We launch today with eyes wide open and a commitment to our mission of making Houston better one story at a time.&nbsp;</p> <p>I wrote this last week but it bears repeating: We ask your help in achieving our goals. We want <a href="https://www.houstonlanding.org/survey/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">your feedback</a> and <a href="https://www.houstonlanding.org/contact/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">story ideas.</a> We are <a href="https://www.houstonlanding.org/houston-landing-to-form-community-advisory-panel-would-you-like-to-serve-and-help-meet-our-mission/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">building an advisory board</a> and will host <a href="https://www.houstonlanding.org/our-members-are-vital-to-our-mission-heres-how-well-engage-and-build-community-for-them/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">community events and conversations.</p> <p></a>And as a nonprofit, we ask for your partnership. Read our content, sign-up for our free newsletters and <a href="https://www.houstonlanding.org/support/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">donate to support </a>our efforts. We will not accept traditional advertising, so your financial support is crucial to our growth and success.&nbsp;</p> <p>We are grateful to be part of Houston and grateful for your support.</p> <p>This <a target="_blank" href="https://houstonlanding.org/nonprofit-houston-landing-launches-full-website-to-cover-daily-local-news-with-no-paywall/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://houstonlanding.org">Houston Landing</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src="https://i0.wp.com/houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/cropped-Frame-5-2.png?fit=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1" style="width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;"><img id="republication-tracker-tool-source" src="https://houstonlanding.org/?republication-pixel=true&post=6347&amp;ga4=G-4E41V78RX3" style="width:1px;height:1px;"></p> Copy to Clipboard

1