While most of Follman's spent most of his time in class discussing two articles he wrote on safe havens for drug users, he did bring up an interesting point.
Follman confessed that he didn't believe objectivity existed in journalism.
The public may agree.
A recent poll found that more people than ever believe that news coverage is inaccurate and biased. This should alarm many current and prospective journalists. If news organizations don't have readers, then readers will no longer have news organizations to complain about.
The question of objectivity is a tricky one. Can a reporter covering a story really by unbiased? Each journalist is human, with a set of past experiences that shapes the viewpoints they have. Preconceived notions and biases are natural, and no one can expect a reporter to turn off all emotion and become a robot. Besides, does a journalist who pretends to make an attempt to get the other side of the story when their heart isn't in it really give the other side a fair shake? Hardly. Even if reporters could put their feelings aside when covering a story, they still make daily decisions on what to include and what not to include in the stories they write. Isn't that a form of bias?
What do you think? Is there such a thing as "objectivity" in the news media?
You make some darn good points, and back it up with research. Bravo.
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