Journalism is not about presenting “both sides” of an issue.
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I agree that effects are more relevant. it would be nice to know the likely effects of all possible policy choices but that's probably impossible, so I'd favor those most likely to happen, which usually comes down to popularity. but maybe reporting on an option that the reporter thinks is great could make it more popular. IDK.
@wjmaggos Do you think this comes down to a lack of subject matter education/expertise? I would think that some knowledge of the issues would be required to cover them, along with the experience of following a particular beat long term. Or maybe the whole thing is just cynical posturing at this point
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Journalism is not about presenting “both sides” of an issue. It’s about finding the truth and telling it. And doing so regardless of whether or not it’s popular, profitable, or in the interests of the powerful.
@benlockwood hear-hear!! When a counterpoint **deserves** voicing, that’s ok. “Folks want ___, but it’ll have ___ side-effect” is a healthy conversation. Not insisting on putting wind into the sails of zealots, propping billionaires’ propaganda, etc.
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@wjmaggos Do you think this comes down to a lack of subject matter education/expertise? I would think that some knowledge of the issues would be required to cover them, along with the experience of following a particular beat long term. Or maybe the whole thing is just cynical posturing at this point
not sure I follow. we absolutely need reporters well paid to be knowledgeable on the subject and follow the latest reporting in order to do their journalism.
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not sure I follow. we absolutely need reporters well paid to be knowledgeable on the subject and follow the latest reporting in order to do their journalism.
@wjmaggos I guess "it's impossible to know the outcomes of policy ahead of time" is a position I just fundamentally disagree with so that's probably where the disconnect is.
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Journalism is not about presenting “both sides” of an issue. It’s about finding the truth and telling it. And doing so regardless of whether or not it’s popular, profitable, or in the interests of the powerful.
@benlockwood the truth doesn't really have a meaning. But it's context that counts: both sides woul be the majority of scientists thin vaccines worked based on numerous medical studies. A few people refutes, but have not been able to backup their claims with data.
Here where I live we had issues with immigrants. The left said there are no problems, which was not true and lead to a lot of support for rightwing parties. A statement like the majority of immigrants are well integrated but a small minority causes problems (add numbers) I think would have been better.
Truth can change, look at the old views of radiation or smoking being recommended. I feel it's important to show the full spectrum. But Iif you do, you need to report the numbers to create a picture
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Journalism is not about presenting “both sides” of an issue. It’s about finding the truth and telling it. And doing so regardless of whether or not it’s popular, profitable, or in the interests of the powerful.
@benlockwood In fact, believing that there are exactly two sides to every issue and that in most cases those sides are represented by Democrats and Republicans is utterly disqualifying from being a journalist as it demonstrates a complete lack of critical thinking and intellectual curiosity.
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Journalism is not about presenting “both sides” of an issue. It’s about finding the truth and telling it. And doing so regardless of whether or not it’s popular, profitable, or in the interests of the powerful.
@benlockwood Hold on a sec there Ben, lets be balanced and hear the liar's side now.
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Journalism is not about presenting “both sides” of an issue. It’s about finding the truth and telling it. And doing so regardless of whether or not it’s popular, profitable, or in the interests of the powerful.
@benlockwood Advocating for the cold in reports of people who froze to death.
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Journalism is not about presenting “both sides” of an issue. It’s about finding the truth and telling it. And doing so regardless of whether or not it’s popular, profitable, or in the interests of the powerful.
Journalism should be about afflicting the comfortable, etc. It seldom is.
We've had this longish period where we were told not to argue with people who bought ink by the barrel but it's about access to power now.
Journalism needs a new credibility model, too.
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Journalism is not about presenting “both sides” of an issue. It’s about finding the truth and telling it. And doing so regardless of whether or not it’s popular, profitable, or in the interests of the powerful.
@benlockwood
Thank you, finally a post which summarizes this increasing problem very well. Lots of them need to go back to school and learn again about "journalism as the fourth pillar of democracy". Too many of them appear to have sold their soul to sensationalism, greed and protecting the status quo. Utterly shameful. 🤬
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@wjmaggos I guess "it's impossible to know the outcomes of policy ahead of time" is a position I just fundamentally disagree with so that's probably where the disconnect is.
100%
substituting "storytelling" ability for "knowing wtf you're talking about" is one of my top complaints about the practice/ethics of journalism 🤬
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Journalism is not about presenting “both sides” of an issue. It’s about finding the truth and telling it. And doing so regardless of whether or not it’s popular, profitable, or in the interests of the powerful.
related:
"Quote Origin: News Is What Somebody Does Not Want You To Print. All the Rest Is Advertising"
https://quoteinvestigator.com/2013/01/20/news-suppress/ -
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