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RANCHO RESORT
MAINTANANCE POSITION

Publisher & Editor John M. Humenik sees his role as leading the Arizona Daily Star to be "a great American newspaper for Tucson.''

Humenik makes no secret of this important goal. In talks around town and to his staff, he's passionate when he speaks about the Star's future. He sees the Star as a newspaper even more readers will depend on. And he emphasizes it will continue to be counted among the best newspapers in the Southwest.

In June, he and his leadership team developed 12 guiding principles and invited staff to help craft the final version. He asked me to share those with you today.

Humenik also asked that I be the watchdog of the guiding principles. I will write each month, starting in November, about a different principle and how we are serving our community.

Readers are invited to join the discussion of the principles, which are:

● Proving we are the community's best friend and most constructive critic by holding it and ourselves responsible even if doing so creates uncomfortable situations.

● Publishing the highest-quality, most trusted and most relevant local and regional content in a timely way that empowers our readers and encourages their involvement.

● Setting the community news agenda through focused and useful news-gathering bolstered by a strong, solutions-based editorial voice that builds community and celebrates diversity of opinions.

● Emphasizing investigative and watchdog journalism that creates positive and measurable change, as we aggressively support our readers' right to know.

● Demonstrating an unrelenting support of the First Amendment while pushing for greater access to public information.

● Demanding quality in the newspaper, online and in every section by showcasing our expertise, insight, innovation, personality, sense of humor and creativity.

● Refusing to knowingly let our community or each other fail while also celebrating risk-takers who improve the community or the newspaper.

● Understanding diversity and culture by reflecting our community and its people in our content.

● Tailoring our local and neighborhood news so all readers see themselves in our content and see how they connect to their community.

● Explaining significant issues or events away from home through localization of wire reports that helps our readers understand how they connect to the world.

● Identifying new audiences and creating ways to serve them in print and online.

● Possessing a passion for our business and acknowledging that profitability and high journalistic quality are essential to our continued success.

One of the uses of these principles is deciding which in-depth, multi-story projects and topics to tackle now, next year and beyond. These projects take time. Many are investigative; others play off the days' news. Most run on Page One. All are expected to meet the Star's high standards for enterprise reporting. These benchmarks have been the focus of the Star's front-page centerpieces since 2000 when we developed them.

I'd be happy to champion reader suggestions. Please submit your ideas by Wednesday. When you send me your topic ideas, keep our principles and these expectations in mind:

● We found it. A Star exclusive rooted in aggressive reporting and tied to something timely or to an enduring issue.

● Storytelling. Photography and writing that have the potential to be powerful, descriptive, engaging and memorable.

● Human impact. Stories that matter to individuals.

● Depth. Well-researched, analytical, revealing and explanatory.

● Evoking emotion. Make readers feel something.

● Sweep. Ideas that appeal to many readers and that have broad potential impact.

Friday's bags

Friday's paper will be bagged in political advertising. The bag, paid for by the NRA Political Victory Fund, will encourage voters to return Kyl to the Senate. The plastic bag adheres to the Star's political-advertising policies. Several times a year the bags used to deliver the Star contain advertising, usually for products or businesses.

The Star, up close

Readers are invited to sit in on the Star news meetings. Last week, local author Jessica Babcock joined editors.

Contact Debbie Kornmiller weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 434-4080; at advocate@azstarnet.com; or P.O. Box 26807, Tucson, AZ 85726.