A mission for journalism in a time of crisis

In a turbulent era, the media must define its values and principles, writes Guardian editor-in-chief Katharine Vinero 'We need good journalism more than ever''No former period, in the history of our Country, has been marked by the agitation of questions of a more important character than those which are now claiming the attention of the public." So began the announcement, nearly 200 years ago, of a brand-new newspaper to be published in Manchester, England, which proclaimed that "the spirited discussion of political questions" and "the accurate detail of facts" were "particularly important at this juncture".Now we are living through another extraordinary period in history: one defined by dazzling political shocks and the disruptive impact of new technologies in every part of our lives. The public sphere has changed more radically in the past two decades than in the previous two centuries - and news organisations, including this one, have worked hard to adjust. Continue reading...