ASU journalism professor Tim McGuire provides his assessment of how traditional and online media performed in covering the tragic events in Tucson.
Tim McGuire is the Frank Russell Chair for the business of journalism at the Cronkite School. McGuire teaches courses on ethics and on the business components of journalism including operations, emerging media, corporate responsibility and the future of media. McGuire retired in June 2002 as editor and senior vice president of the Star Tribune in Minneapolis. He served in that position since 1992. Previously, he was managing editor of the Star Tribune. He joined the company in 1979 as managing editor of the Star. He was managing editor of the newspaper when it won a Pulitzer Prize in 1990. He has been a Pulitzer jurist six times, most recently in 2003. McGuire is a past president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors (2001-2002). McGuire was the James Batten Visiting Professor of Journalism and Public Policy at Davidson College fall 2003 and spent spring 2005 at Washington and Lee University as the first Donald W. Reynolds Distinguished Visiting Professor. His move to full-time teaching is evidence of his growing belief that a middle ground must be found between bottom-line profit orientation in the media business and the pursuit of journalism for the common good. As the Russell Chair, McGuire focuses on the tensions between business and journalism. Until February 2006, McGuire wrote a weekly syndicated column for United Media called “More Than Work.” The column was purchased by 34 newspapers and covered ethics, spirituality and values in work. He is completing a manuscript based on those columns for book publication, tentatively entitled “Totin’ Heart and Soul to Work: Reflections on ethics, values and spirituality in the workplace.” McGuire continues to make speeches and conduct seminars and retreats on calling and spirituality in work, and he consults in the media industry. He speaks on a variety of topics, including “Ways to Tote Heart and Soul to Work,” “Doing the Right Thing in Business,” “Finding Purpose in Work” and “Facing the Future Ethically.” McGuire also speaks on faith and family issues and on the challenges facing families with handicaps. As the Russell Chair, he is again speaking on the challenges facing news media, ethics and problem-solving in media.
Simons has worked in television and radio in the Phoenix area for more than 20 years, and got his start in TV here at Eight as a public affairs producer/reporter. He most recently hosted the afternoon drive news/talk show on KTAR radio. The long-time Valley journalist previously worked as news director/morning show host for KZON-FM and news/sports anchor/reporter at KPHO-TV. Simons was also sports director/anchor at KOFY-TV in San Francisco, Calif.