It Could Happen Here Objectivity in Journalism
Aug 21, 2025
A humorous look at sun exposure kicks things off, segueing into the serious debate on journalistic objectivity. The evolution of media bias versus neutrality is explored, highlighting the struggle for comprehensive storytelling. Ethical dilemmas in reporting, including the impact of personal biases, are scrutinized. The dangers of misinformation, especially regarding drug overdoses, underscore the need for accountability. Economic pressures on legacy media versus grassroots journalism also reveal the complexities in the pursuit of truth.
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Objectivity As Verification Not Performance
- Objectivity should be a verification method, not a personal virtue journalists must perform at all times.
- Reporting must accurately describe events while adding relevant context beyond the single moment.
Declare Perspective To Reveal Blind Spots
- Standpoint and declared perspectives improve truth-seeking by revealing what observers may miss.
- Journalism should borrow academic norms like acknowledging perspective rather than pretending neutrality.
False Balance Ratchets Discourse Right
- Centrist media's insistence on 'both sides' can shift the Overton window toward the right.
- Seeking a false middle often normalizes extreme or harmful positions instead of clearly rejecting them.