objective

Objectivity

A particular unbiased frame of reference/an ideology used by journalists to orient themselves. Rooted in a positivist view of the world, committed to the supremacy of fact, infringes on the news

3 Principles of Objectivity

1. Objectivity is in favour of the status quo
2. Objective reporting is biased against independent thinking
3. Objective reporting is biased against the idea of responsibility

Mid 1800s Objecitivity

First emerged through The Penny Press:
○ An apolitical press, disinterested with the world
○ News was previously very biased, this was not tied to any other party/allegiance
○ This time was associated with many changes, the telegraph, radical growth in printing, the formation of the Associated Press (first journalism monopoly), the rise of cities
○ It’s efficient and profitable to distance yourself

Early 1900s Objectivity

○ Aided by giving meaning to the first amendment and the growing value of the scientific method
○ Science was used to justify, called journalists to remain "clear and free" of irrational bias
○ The respectable and reliable way of reporting, it was standardized
○ Objectivity is preoccupied with HOW the news is presented, the quality of its FORM. It overshadows content and value
○ Objectivity includes interviews with sources (high up and qualified, no probing questions), juxtaposing claims with opposite views (no matter how true one claim is), and making judgements on truths

"Ethical Objectivity"

• Since 1924, objectivity has been considered an ethical imperative, second only to truth
• In 1954, objectivity has been labelled as a fundamental journalistic imperative ("rock-bottom" imperative)
• In 1973, objectivity was adopted as one of the key journalists' values in the Code of Ethics, characterizing ethics as an attainable goal towards which journalists should strive
• It has been acknowledged in major court cases (1977)
• Objective bias favours authorities, the elite, and establishment positions and exists to not offend them

Objectivity and Journalists

• Objective reporting has stripped journalists of their right to be participating citizens; as impartial reporters, journalists are expected to be politically disengaged and politically inactive
• It has stripped them of their storyteller and creative status

Next Steps on Objectivity

The task is to liberate journalism from the burden of objectivity by proving that objective reporting is customary and not principle (habit VS standard).
• Objectivity is solely a matter of efficiency for owners of the press, not the needs of writers and larger society