When Jay Harris addressed the American Society of Newspaper Editors on April 6, he said he had not meant for his resignation as publisher of the San Jose Mercury News to place him at the center of debate about profits and journalism. But, Harris added, "After a few days, I concluded that while I did not seek or expect the role, if I had the courage of my convictions I would hold high the banner of our noble cause in forums such as this." (Poynter.org has created a resource page that includes the text of Harris' ASNE speech and related stories about newsroom cutbacks.)

Jay Harris has demonstrated his courage. It’s your turn.

The Committee of Concerned Journalists and The Poynter Institute are examining the relationship between profit pressures and journalism. We do not solicit emotional arguments. We are not interested in anonymous rhetoric. We do not invite potshots at your boss. Indeed, this discussion often has been framed too conventionally as a conflict between working stiffs and corner office bosses. We want to hear from bosses, as well as other journalists. We seek hard facts:

• We need to know not just whether news coverage is being diminished but how. Give details.
• We want to find out if budget cuts are causing permanent changes in content, or temporary dislocation.
• We’d appreciate hearing how, despite profit pressures, inventive news and business executives are together finding ways to protect the journalism.
• We want to learn if short-term profit pressures have altered the long-term strategy of your news organization. Be specific.
• We’d like to be alerted to any public discussion, demonstration, or dialogue about this issue.

Where does courage come in?

We ask you to tell us these things on the record. Interest in journalism and shareholder values has been magnified by Jay Harris’ resignation. We seek to continue the discussion Jay’s resignation provoked, and to inform it with specific data. Here is how you can help:

Send an e-mail to noblesound@poynter.org outlining the effects of current profit pressures on you and your colleagues. Give your name, place of employment, and phone number in case we need to follow up. If you are not willing to be identified, don’t e-mail. We will report the findings on our Web sites — Committee of Concerned Journalists and The Poynter Institute.

Why "noblesound?" In his address, Jay Harris said he’d found it a tonic during budget battles to recall the words essayist Stanley Crouch wrote to accompany Wynton Marsalis’ jazz anthem, Premature Autopsies. Here is part of what moved Harris:

Thanks for your help, and your courage.