By Lynn Walsh, Texas Watchdog

Another year is coming to an end and for most people that means promises of new beginnings for a new year.

New Years resolution stories pop-up in news coverage all of the time, but what about taking the time to make your own journalistic-resolutions to welcome in 2011?

Think of the impact committing to just a few changes in the way you report stories could do for your audience. Think of how much better the coverage could be with a few slight changes. Or maybe it is as simple as reviewing your own personal journalism ethics? Below are some ideas to get you thinking:

1. Say no to "press-release reporting." Press releases come into newsroom mailboxes and in-boxes in hoards it seems. When on deadline it can be easy to pick one out of the pile and use it as your pitch for the day, but is easy what you want to be known for? I am not saying press releases are useless but with the increase use of technology your viewers have probably already heard the news of what is in the press release. Also, the internet has made it easy to share the news from the press release in other ways than taking up valuable minutes in a news cast. Use them for guidance sure, but don't take the easy way out.

2. Create/Review your personal code of ethics. There are a variety of ethics codes for journalists out there and it is great to check those out, but I think you should also have your own. If you do not, take some time and create one. If you do, take some time to update it. Use the ethics codes that already exist to get some ideas and have a baseline for your own.

3. Vow to make phone calls daily. I have been told this time and time again from veteran journalists and when I actually do this, it really does pay off. (I have learned that two to three calls a day is pretty manageable.) Call people when you do not need them for the story you are working on right now, call them just to chat and ask how they are doing. Sometimes these phone calls can lead to blog posts, twitter updates, or future stories. I know this is one that I will be putting on my resolution list.

4. Learn a new skill. Whether it is HTML, taking better photographs or learning more about social media, learning something new makes you a better journalist, more valuable to your news organization and leads to better stories for your viewers. Think small or if you have the time think big, but learn something new.

5. Think like your viewers. Sometimes you get used to covering education or government and you start using the jargon that goes with it in all of your stories. Take a step-back and make sure the words you are writing, saying or tweeting would make sense to someone who does not follow your beat or your story on a daily or even weekly basis. When it comes to budget stories, make it easy to understand and relate to something your viewer would buy.

6. Use and develop multimedia reporting techniques. The internet is not going anywhere and it will continue to change. If you want to have a future in this industry, I truly believe you have to attempt to learn and understand multimedia reporting techniques and new technologies. There is a lot to take in and it is always changing, so start small if you have to, just remember: taking baby steps is better than standing still.

7. Give back to the industry. Join one of the many non-profit journalism organizations in your area or field. Whether it is just becoming a member and interacting with fellow journalists or taking a bigger role and sitting on a committee or becoming a mentor, it is important to get involved. Journalism is not dying and there are a lot of really great journalists out there. Get in touch with them, young or old, because sometimes the reporting world can feel a little lonely and with all of the writing and reporting that is going on across the country there is no reason to feel lonely!

You could get your whole news organization together to join in on the fun too! The more people you have involved the easier it will be to stick to the promises you made to yourself and your viewers. If you still need a push, think of how much better your coverage as an organization would be if you and every other reporter in the company agreed to do be better reporters by making a few changes!