Two years later, and they’re still in the codifying process. Either this is a far more complex exercise than it appears, or ESPN is reluctant to fully embrace formalized editorial and operating standards.
ESPN can brush off concerns raised about “The Decision,” but it does so at its own peril. A major component of ESPN’s appeal — a value the network has cultivated for three decades — is that the audience trusts what it’s watching. Viewers want to believe the network is treating them respectfully, openly, fairly and honestly. If not, why should they bother watching? Every decision has the potential to affect or even destroy that bond, and every decision needs to be made with that in mind. One of the steps ESPN can take to protect and even strengthen that bond is to ensure that those newsgathering policies are written, distributed, read, understood and made part of standard operating procedure. Those are “The Decisions” that matter.
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