The limits of objective reporting

Cohen-Almagor, Raphael

Abstract

The aim of this study is to scrutinize the assumption that objective reporting is good reporting, is ethical reporting. I do this by reflecting on different dimensions that are associated with the concept of objectivity: (1) accuracy; (2) truthfulness; (3) fairness and balance, and (4) moral neutrality. It is asserted that in many cases journalists are not objective in their reporting either because they consciously prefer not to be or because they are being manipulated by their sources. I close by asserting that the values of not harming others and respecting others should play a prominent part in the considerations of journalists. These are basic ethical standards that sometimes require normative reporting. Consequently, morally neutral coverage of hate speech and racism is a bad idea. It is a false and wrong conception. Subjectivity is preferable to objectivity when the media cover illiberal and anti-democratic phenomena.

Citation

Cohen-Almagor, R. (2008). The limits of objective reporting. Journal of Language and Politics, 7(1), 136-155. https://doi.org/10.1075/jlp.7.1.07alm

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 31, 2008
• Online Publication Date: May 26, 2008
• Publication Date: Jun 6, 2008
• Journal: JOURNAL OF LANGUAGE AND POLITICS
• Print ISSN: 1569-2159
• Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 7
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 136-155
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/jlp.7.1.07alm
• Keywords: Linguistics and Language; Sociology and Political Science; History
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/395968
• Publisher URL: https://benjamins.com/catalog/jlp.7.1.07alm