|
Objectivity in Journalism
What is objectivity? ... " The ideal of objectivity in reporting has perhaps been the most confining, yet also one of the most long standing principles of journalism. Sometimes referred to as "the Eleventh Commandment for journalisms faithful", objectivity is simply unattainable. ...
In recent years, some thoughtful journalism scholars and practitioners have questioned the claim of objectivity in journalism (Walter Lippmann, 1922; Gaye Tuchman 1972; Mi-chael Schudson, 1978; Theodore L. ... The issue was so widely debated, that many started to doubt whether "objectivity" should still be criteria for journalism practice.
According to those who think along this line, objectivity, in the sense of a disinterested view or account of an event, is an illusion. In fact, some argue that strict objectivity ends up stripping journalists of their creativity, imagination, passion and perspective, reducing them to mere vehicles of exchanges. ... " It is very disheartening, especially when other journalists seem to be writing articles full of their own opinions, and it is all in the name of objectivity. ... That particular style more often than not resembled propaganda rather than what we consider to be journalism today. Reporters were trained in "objectivity", to be simple conveyers of information, giving equal weight to different viewpoints, and letting readers decide for themselves what was the truth. ...
One reason why societys need for information wasnt met was because clever politicians and other newsmakers exploited journalists ideals for objectivity. ... Bailey, a former journalism dean at the University of California, interviewed over forty journalists who had covered McCarthy during the 1950s and summarized the effect of the period on American journalism. ... This is what objectivity is all about. ... Faced with complex issues and conflicting ideas, some editors and reporters cling to objectivity like a life preserver, unable to actually interpret news for the public, but simply write exactly what theyve been told, like some specially trained ape.
Approximate Word count = 1521
Approximate Pages = 6.1
(250 words per page double spaced)
|
|
