Truth and objectivity should be the goal of every journalist, to ensure that credible, reliable news. Tickle (2001) elaborates that the role of the journalist is to perceive and interpret reality as truthful as possible for the intended audience. This week's topic is about reporting accurately in terms of facts and a news devoid of opinions and subjectivity.
Simply put, this is not an easy task for any journalist. As human beings, we are filled with opinions, ideas, perspectives and principles. This is attributed largely to our different backgrounds as people, our upbringing, our passion, knowledge and personality. Everyone is different, hence everyone has their own opinions. Although it is respectful to acknowledge differing views and ideas, a journalist has to break this acknowledgment for clear, factual, accurate reporting abiding by the journalistic ethics and practices.
There are several factors to list that impede a journalist's ability to remain objective and truthful. Journalists often have their own religious obligations, moral principles to live with. Others seek to protect their own reputation as top-notched journalists, some news are written to sensationalise, others are purely fictional and fabricated altogether.
In order to counter this, the journalist has to recognise and practice the code of conduct, ethics set out by fellow journalists to ensure the survival and continuity of journalism as a profession. Without carrying the traits of impartiality, accuracy, discovering the truth and both sides of a story: one can never be considered a journalist. Cliche as it sounds, a journalist is a noble profession - since it seeks to inform, it must accurately inform the public and never for other personal or corporate reasons.
References:
Tickle, S 2001, The Truth, the whole truth and nothing but... in Journalism Theory in Practice, Oxford University Press, South Melbourne
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