Final Exam: Objectivity, Excellence, Truth, and Code of Conduct

Question #1

The definition of objectivity differs from source to source, whether it is the dictionary, Bill Kovach, journalists, or the people. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines objectivity as expressing facts without the distortion of personal feelings or prejudice. The discussion of objectivity in Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel’s “Elements of Journalism” delves deeper into the issue. I find their statement beginning statement of element four to ring true. “Being impartial or neutral is not a core principal of journalism….impartiality was never what was meant by objectivity…the critical step in pursuing truthfulness and informing citizens is not neutrality but independence…” Americans expect journalism to be 100 percent objective. The question of objectivity arises when the definition of objectivity between citizens and journalists clashes. Everyone is influenced by their personal experiences, including journalists, but they should and can be independent from their work. Independence and honesty establish trust and credibility with readers, rather than complete neutrality. Kovach and Rosenstiel also said, “the question is not neutrality, but purpose.”

In the United States, opinions are upheld by the 1^st amendment, but that does not mean the people want it in their journalism and news. It seems though, that opinion and partisanship have seeped into news and broadcast networks. The place for opinion therefore belongs in the opinion and editorial sections of papers and designated programs on networks. In order for the people to trust the press once again, we must be honest with them instead of pretending we are independent. I think it is important that every person develop their own opinions on the issues of the time. A person without opinion brings nothing to the community. Journalists can be independent and still hold opinions on the issues they are writing. I believe part of being a journalist is learning and mastering the ability to separate yourself from those opinions when it is necessary. As a journalist, I will be independent in my writing. If I find that my opinions compromise an article or piece, then I would be obligated to inform my editor and write on something else. I feel it is important for me to be as honest and truthful with the public as possible. I want to increase the credibility of current journalists and those in the future.

Question #2

I think it is simple to identify excellent journalism when one reads or views it. Defining excellent journalism on paper is much more difficult. Some ways we have currently been able to identify extraordinary journalism is through Pulitzer prizes, Hearst awards, and other such recognitions. To me, excellent journalism expresses complete honesty and truth in a way that is able to deeply impact readers or viewers. Aspects such as independence and public vigilance push journalists to do better. The people are never quiet in their criticisms of journalism, which is very beneficial. While we, as journalists, have the role of watchdog; it is logical that the public watches us and points out faults. Prior to this semester of studying journalism, I had already concluded there was a lack of excellence in my television/newspaper website. Each time I visited the Omaha World Herald’s website, www.omaha.com, I cringed. As the largest and main newspaper of the state, it rarely addressed important issues. The majority of the paper was comprised of articles taken from the AP. While our population in Nebraska is below one million people, there must be more important content to cover than solely the University of Nebraska athletics. When journalism lacks excellence, it is obvious.

Question #3

Truth is journalism’s most important feature according to Jeffrey Scheuer in “The Big Picture”. I believe it is the most important feature of journalism as well. An obligation to truth separates journalism from public relations, advertising, gossip, and fiction. Journalistic truth is unique. While not only being honest, journalism must answer all questions (who, what, where, when, and why). Journalistic truth entails all details. While an article could only present some of the facts it would be, in the journalistic sense, dishonest even though the information presented was correct. We are the sources that inform the public. Journalism is the main source of civic knowledge, therefore it is important that the news is reported and relayed truthfully, the first time. Reporting truthfully means reporting the most accurate perceptions with all the facts.

Question #4

Putting aside the recent economic troubles in the United States, one of the main reasons newspapers and television news operations are in trouble comes from the internet. The World Wide Web has been able to connect people across the earth that was not previously feasible several decades ago. With the exploding development of technology, the news business could not go unaffected. People are now looking to the internet in order to keep them informed and updated with news and world issues. The public no longer sits down to their televisions at certain times at night to catch the news. They read news that is updated instantly on the internet, stream newscasts and shows, and have important updates sent to hand held devices and cell phones. Instead of paying $1.50 on a newspaper each day, Americans are reading hundreds of news websites, usually without charge. This results in the downsizing the news industry has seen the past several years. More journalists are writing online and blogging. Along with the increase of news online, advertisers are also switching to the internet. With the loss of advertisers and revenue, the industry has appropriately downsized, though attempting to meet the same work load.

Companies are now hiring journalists that can perform and accomplish several of the different aspects in the news business: photography, writing, editing, and other multimedia projects. The reduction of journalists and cuts made by businesses may hurt the quality of news in certain areas. Recently the Tribune Company filed for bankruptcy. If our nation’s news organizations fall apart, we will be in great trouble. Corruption will go rampant, without it being reported. The American people will go uninformed in many areas where businesses are making cuts, such as in science and environment departments. If journalists are reduced to few numbers, who will inform the people? These developments of course will affect my future career. I will not earn an obscene or even decent amount of money, but this does not lessen the importance of my career. The U.S. will always need journalists in order to be a democracy. In five to ten years, it is possible I could work at a print newspaper or magazine. The reality is that many future jobs in journalism will be tied to the internet. This does not have to be a negative thing though. Because so much of journalism and the news is done through the internet now, it can expand the number of journalists and voices heard. Issues can be explored in greater depth.

Question #5

I think it is easy to say what one’s personal code of conduct will be, but it is much more difficult to live in reality. In several discussions, class members said they would quit their jobs before writing on a story they disliked, opposed, or felt was wrong. Realistically, if you quit your job every time you did not agree with a boss, you would be unemployed for life. I realize that I will not always agree with my editors and bosses on what I am to write, and I will occasionally have to cover angles or issues I disagree with. What I can do as a journalist and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is live and write as truthfully and honestly as possible, even when assigned disagreeable stories. I can strive to inform the public to the best of my ability, verify my facts and sources, be original, take criticism and apply it, and most importantly give a voice to the voiceless. As a journalist I want to inform and impact people that otherwise would have remained ignorant. I want the code of conduct I live by to change people’s lives and improve the democracy we live in.