Questioning the Enduring Importance of Impartiality
In the world of journalism, a long-held belief in objectivity is being challenged as never before. This shift, sparked by a series of events and debates, is reshaping the industry, with some questioning the value of detached fact-finding as a source of truth.
Emilio Garcia-Ruiz, editor in chief of the San Francisco Chronicle, and a new generation of journalists are advocating for a departure from objectivity. They argue that it is time for a more empathetic and contextual approach to reporting.
The case of Felicia Sonmez, a journalist who sued the Washington Post, shed light on the challenges faced by journalists who dare to speak out about their personal experiences. Sonmez sued the newspaper in part for preventing her from covering stories about sexual assault after she revealed she was an assault survivor. Although a judge dismissed the case in 2022, an appeals court revived aspects of it earlier this year, and the litigation continues.
David Bornstein, co-founder of the Solutions Journalism Network, is advocating for a different kind of journalism. He explains that solutions journalism isn't just about seeking good news to cover, but rigorous reporting that examines how people are responding to problems.
Stephen J.A. Ward, a lecturer in ethics at the University of British Columbia and the author of several books on media ethics, questions the value journalists place on telling both sides of a story. He argues that this approach can lead to a dilution of truth and a failure to hold powerful individuals accountable.
The death of George Floyd and the subsequent racial reckoning in the media industry have brought these debates to the forefront. Critics, including Candis Callison and Mary Lynn Young, authors of 2019's Reckoning: Journalism's Limits and Possibilities, argue that objectivity as an ethical standard is both impossible and harmful. They claim it can reinforce or neglect racist, sexist, or transphobic ideologies.
Internal and public complaints were lodged by journalists at major outlets such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal, and Los Angeles Times about the deployment of an overcorrective both-sides-ism in their coverage of Floyd's killing and the subsequent mass protests against racist police violence.
In response to these criticisms, some news outlets have taken steps to address the issue. For instance, the New York Times added a note to an op-ed from Sen. Tom Cotton urging the use of military force against Black Lives Matter protesters, stating that the essay fell short of the publication's standards and should not have been published.
American publishers turned to objectivity in journalism in the early 20th century as a response to sensationalism and opinionated coverage. Walter Lippmann, an early champion of objectivity, argued in 1920 for impartial investigation of facts. However, Martin Baron, retired executive editor of the Washington Post, explained in 2023 that Lippmann's intent was to determine facts, place them in context, and strive for scientific accuracy in journalism.
Not everyone in the industry is ready to abandon objectivity. Peter Baker, New York Times White House correspondent, abstains from voting for the sake of political impartiality. Yet, others like Jay Rosen, a NYU journalism professor, argue that the 'view from nowhere' encourages journalists to develop bad habits and can diminish their authority.
The debate over objectivity in journalism is far from over. As the industry evolves, it will be interesting to see how these discussions shape the future of reporting.
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