Lori Messing McGarry on Objectivity in Journalism
Journalists endlessly debate Objectivity in journalism. What did they say in 2023?
By Lori Messing McGarry November 15, 2023
Objective Journalism is (more or less) defined as writing based on:
· Facts
· Presenting both sides
· Keeping personal views to yourself.
Spoiler Alert:
No one agrees.
Two Camps:
· Objectivity is a bedrock principle of journalism.
· Objectivity is an outmoded concept.
2023 objectivity debates include media's handling of:
· COVID theories
· Hunter Biden
· Israel-Gaza
· Gen Z values
Top 10
Hosted by: Open to Debate
Moderator: Nayemma Raza of Vox.
Guests:
Arguing “Yes” Bret Stephens, Opinion Columnist, The New York Times
Arguing “No” Leonard Downie, Jr., Journalism Professor, Arizona State University and former Executive Editor, The Washington Post
2) How We Got ‘Democracy Dies in Darkness’ – And other stories from eight years running The Washington Post by Martin Baron. Essay adapted from Baron’s book: “Collision of Power: Trump, Bezos and The Washington Post”.
3) Can a Journalist be Trustworthy Without Being “Objective”? Walter Cronkite School of Mass Communications at Arizona State University report draws on interviews from 75 journalists.
4) Bring Back Objective Journalism – by Walter Hussman Jr. Wall Street Journal opinion piece critiquing Arizona State University’s report on objectivity.
5) The Invention of Objectivity – Darrell Hartman An essay published in Atlantic Magazine based on his book: “Battle of Ink and Ice”.
6) A Pro-democracy Case Against Objectivity – podcast from Penn State University’s News Literacy Initiative. Discussion led by Lewis Raven Wallace
7) Is Objectivity in Journalism Even Possible? A review of Columbia University’s recent debates on objectivity.
8) To Regain Trust, the News Media Need Objectivity Opinion piece from Bloomberg.org by Clive Crook.
9) Objectivity in Journalism Needs a Rewrite – Lou Jacquin Student perspective, The Georgetown Voice.
10) The Myth of Objective Journalism – Joey Sills, Student perspective, Indiana Daily Student
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