If no one ever asked why, where would we be?

Clicking on the image will take you to the full size Toronto Star page.

Ask why is the slogan of the new marketing campaign for the Toronto Star. The campaign is based on the historical role of newspapers as advocates for improving the lives of everyday citizens, highlighting injustice, etc. It's described in this article, "Change begins with one simple question," and includes a link to some of the kinds of articles that The Star published in the past that best illustrate the role. From the article:

The story's headline is "Ask Why." We have chosen those two simple and powerful words as the theme of the Star's new marketing campaign that we are launching today. Our campaign will highlight the unique role that the Toronto Star plays in providing context and insight into the events that matter most to the residents of the GTA.

We focus on two themes: One is the Star's connection to the pride that we all have in our city; the other is the Star's determination, inspired by our former long-time publisher Joseph E. Atkinson, to challenge the city to live up to its promise for all who live here. ...

In recent years we have asked hard questions on a wide spectrum of issues ranging from racial profiling by the police and the quality of care in nursing homes to airline safety and mortgage fraud.

We have asked why our major cities have not had the funding and authority they need to meet the needs of their citizens. And we have asked why the results of restaurant inspections were not made public.

By asking hard questions we continue to galvanize change.

Because without challenge there will be no change.

We invite you to join us in asking why. We do every day.
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And so do I. (It is one of my core competencies...)

Index Keywords: civic-engagement; media