SPEECH CREDO

E. Christian Buckner

I believe that of all human functions the gift of speech is the most miraculous.

I believe that, if speech were to stop, all civilized living would suddenly vanish.

I believe that the ability to articulate is essential to inner harmony, to emotional maturity, and to mental
balance. If all people could be completely articulate at all times, human relations might improve to the
point where there would be no more wars and no more jails, more stable homes and more happy
people.

I believe that speech is essential to the growth of the human personality and that it provides a way for
self-discovery and self-renewal. For many, it is a way of self-expression without brush or pen.

I believe that the act of speech is a total process, that when it reaches optimum effectiveness, the whole
man communicates. What one is, is always part of what one says.

I believe that there is no substitute for content in the speaking process. Material or intellectual worth
provides the essence of eloquence. Speech skills have their importance, but they no more make speech
than clothes make the man. The center of gravity in all speech communications is thought and idea.

I believe that every student should develop a concern for truthful and responsible speech, exhibiting
sense – not non-sense, sincerity – not cleverness, forthrightness – not superficiality, and should never be
a party to plagiarized or dishonest work.

I believe that speech has no absolutes, that a completely perfect speech has not yet been made. I
believe that speech offers a lifetime challenge in which there is never a final summit of achievement
beyond once cannot climb.
I believe that the individuality of the speaker is a valuable asset in the speaking process, and that any
person with normal intelligence, normal emotional balance, and normal speech mechanisms has at his
command the resources enabling him to make certain speeches that can be equalled by no other
person. Every student has the potential to speak superbly at some time.

The Journalist’s Creed

Walter Williams

I believe in the profession of Journalism.

I believe that the public journal is a public trust; that all connected with it are, to the full measure of
responsibility, trustees for the public; that all acceptance of lesser service than the public service is a
betrayal of this trust.

I believe that clear thinking, clear statement, accuracy and fairness are fundamental to good journalism.

I believe that a journalist should write only what he holds in his heart to be true.

I believe that suppression of the news, for any consideration other than the welfare of society, is
indefensible.

I believe that no one should write as a journalist what he would not say as a gentleman; that bribery by
one’s own pocket book is as much to be avoided as bribery by the pocketbook of another; that
individual responsibility may not be escaped by pleading another’s instructions or another’s dividends.

I believe that advertising, news and editorial columns should alike serve the best interests of readers;
that a single standard of helpful truth and cleanness should prevail for all; that supreme test of good
journalism is the measure of its public service.

I believe that the journalism which succeeds the best-and best deserves success-fears God and honors
man; is stoutly independent; unmoved by pride of opinion or greed of power; constructive, tolerant but
never careless, self-controlled, patient, always respectful of its readers but always unafraid, is quickly
indignant at injustice; is unswayed by the appeal of the privilege or the clamor of the mob; seeks to give
every man a chance, and as far as law, an honest wage and recognition of human brotherhood can make
it so, an equal chance; is profoundly patriotic while sincerely promoting international good will and
cementing world-comradeship, is a journalism of humanity, of and for today’s world.

THE RADIO BROADCASTER'S CREED

NAB RADIO CODE

We believe:

That Radio Broadcasting in the United States of America is a living symbol of democracy; a significant
and necessary instrument for maintaining freedom of expression, as established by the First
Amendment to the Constitution of the United States;

That its contributions to the arts, to science, to education, to commerce, and therefore to the public
welfare have the potential of influencing the common good achievements of our society as a whole;

That it is our obligation to serve the people in such manner as to reflect credit upon our profession and
to encourage aspiration toward a better estate for our audiences. This entails making available to them
through all phases of the broadcasting art such programming as will convey the traditional strivings of
the U.S. towards goals beneficial to the populace;

That we should make full and ingenious use of the many sources of knowledge, talents and skills and
exercise critical and discerning judgement concerning all broadcasting operations to the end that we
may, intelligently and sympathetically:

Observe both existing principles and developing concepts affecting our society;

Respect and advance the rights and the dignity of all people;

Enrich the daily life of the people through the factual reporting and analysis of news, and through
programming of education, entertainment, and information;
Provide for the fair discussion of matters of public concern; engage in works directed toward the
common good; and volunteer our aid and comfort in times of stress and emergency;

Contribute to the economic welfare of all by expanding the channels of trade, by encouraging the
development and conservation of natural resources, and by bringing together the buyer and seller
through the broadcasting of information pertaining to goods and services.

From The Radio Code of the National Association of Broadcasters (Twentieth Edition, June 1976)

The Writer's Creed

Clint Johnson

The Writer's Oath

On my honor, I will do my best to create havoc on every page and to leave neither peace nor happiness
in my wake; To cause problems at every opportunity; To abuse characters I love, always aspire to the
worst, and sleep unburdened at night.

The Writer's Law

A writer is…

– Duplicitious (Never Trustworthy!): A writer never lets her characters know everything that is going
on. The more you can mislead and confuse your characters, the more enjoyment you give your reader.

– Traitorous (Never Loyal!): A writer is always looking for ways to undermine characters and foster
betrayal in her stories.

– Hindersome (Never Helpful!): A writer makes trouble; she does not solve problems.

– Curmudgeonly (Never Friendly!): A writer begrudges every moment of happiness and prosperity in
her story. Contentment is offensive to her–discontent, ultimately pleasing.
 – Rude (Never Courteous!): A writer has no regard for her characters’ egos or positions within society.
She finds humiliation ever-desirable.

– Vindictive (Never Kind!): A writer causes trouble because she can, not because it is deserved. Every
success of a character is worthy of retribution.

– Mutinous (Never Obedient!): A writer upturns all her characters value and depend upon. She
fashions those in her story with the specific intention of capitalizing on their weaknesses.

– Profligate (Never Thrifty!): A writer never holds anything back. She seeks to expend every resource
and emotional reserve of her characters, and only constrains the extravagance of her imagination by the
furthest reaches of plausibility.

– Licentious (Never Clean!): A writer collects all her characters’ dirty little secrets and yells them out to
anyone willing to listen.

– Profane (Never Reverent!): To a writer, none of her characters’ beliefs are sacred; their faith exists
to be challenged, and wrong must sometimes be portrayed as right.

Despite common perception, yes, there are admirable characteristics of writers as well (though we make
mighty poor Boy Scouts). We must be…

– Brave: Obeying the Writers’ Law can be difficult, uncomfortable, and wearying. Have the courage to
be sadistic enough to write good stories.

– Cheerful: Engaging in antisocial, uncivilized behavior–at least in imagination–is the primary

obligation of a good storyteller. You can’t avoid it. So don’t feel guilty. Write great stories, don’t
apologize or get ulcers, and live cheerfully and well.

A Writer’s Creed: Good, Better, Best

Mike Winchell

GOOD, BETTER, BEST

NEVER LET IT REST

TIL THE GOOD IS BETTER

AND THE BETTER IS BEST