Consider the following statement:
Objectivity should be the primary goal in reporting the news.
Write a unified essay in which you perform the following tasks. Explain what you think the above statement means. Describe a specific situation in which a news report might justifiably not be completely objective. Discuss what you think determines whether or not objectivity should be the primary goal of news reporting.
Objectivity means to present all the facts of an incident in a fair manner without mixing it with any personal feelings. Emotions vary from people to people. If reporters start reporting their personal feelings and prejudices about a situation, they can easily influence the viewers. For instance, if a country needs to decide whether or not to host an event, there are many facts that need to be considered. The expense of the event, the place where the event shall be hosted, the economic and political stability of the country and so on. The viewers need to know all the pros and cons of the situation before they can make a decision. They can not get emotional about their country and make decisions.
Although sometimes objectivity is not the primary goal in reporting the news. For instance, the attack on the World Trade Center in September 11, 2001 resulted in loss of many lives. It is important to inform the viewers of the facts such as the planes were hijacked and redirected to attack the towers. But at the same time the event was sorrowful not only because the towers were brought down but because many lives were lost. In such a scenario, it is okay for reporters to express their personal feelings. In such a case, the reporters will merely voice the feelings of majority of people.
So what determines whether or not objectivity should be the primary goal of news reporting? I think the answer lies in the ultimate aim of news reporting. If the goal is to obtain people's opinion about a possible future event, then the news should be reported in the most objective manner possible. News reported should be fair and present all the facets of a scenario so that people can make informed decisions. But if the goal is to report an event that has already occurred, it is okay if reporters bring in their personal feelings. In this case even if lack of objectivity sways an individual's opinion, it will not be harmful since the individual does not have to make a decision.
Although sometimes objectivity is not the primary goal in reporting the news. For instance, the attack on the World Trade Center in September 11, 2001 resulted in loss of many lives. It is important to inform the viewers of the facts such as the planes were hijacked and redirected to attack the towers. But at the same time the event was sorrowful not only because the towers were brought down but because many lives were lost. In such a scenario, it is okay for reporters to express their personal feelings. In such a case, the reporters will merely voice the feelings of majority of people.
So what determines whether or not objectivity should be the primary goal of news reporting? I think the answer lies in the ultimate aim of news reporting. If the goal is to obtain people's opinion about a possible future event, then the news should be reported in the most objective manner possible. News reported should be fair and present all the facets of a scenario so that people can make informed decisions. But if the goal is to report an event that has already occurred, it is okay if reporters bring in their personal feelings. In this case even if lack of objectivity sways an individual's opinion, it will not be harmful since the individual does not have to make a decision.
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