Independence from faction
ISSUES IN JOURNALISM
One critic’s view of Fox
Chapter 5: Independence from
Faction
 “Journalists must maintain an independence
from those they cover.”
Role of opinion journalism
 What separates opinion journalism from




propaganda, partisanship or political
activism?
Is it journalism? Well, it can serve a watchdog
purpose and seek truth. It can serve the
citizens and provide a forum.
That’s the definition of journalism.
But isn’t neutrality a core principle of
journalism?
No says Tom and Bill (pg. 12150
Chapter 5: Independence from
Faction
 What about opinion journalism?
 Isn’t neutrality a key part of journalism? (page
115)
 No. Not a core principle.
 The difference between journalism and
propaganda= Holding true to the facts and
accuracy. Pursuing the truth wherever it goes
despite your political leanings, philosophy or
bias.
Role of opinion journalism
 But if impartiality/neutrality is not a core
principle, what distinguishes journalism from
propaganda?
Role of opinion journalism
 William Safire sorts it out:
 “Where does loyalty lie?”
pg. 116 TEOJ
 It must be with the truth.
 That’s the difference. That’s the test.
 Hard facts. Truthful conclusions
 Not letting ideology turn you away from a
story. Candid labeling. Honesty.
The 4th key principle of journalism
 Journalists must maintain an independence
from those they cover.
(pg. 118 TEOJ)
 This applies to those who write criticism,
commentary, editorials and op-ed pieces too.
 “It is this spirit of independence and mind, rather
than neutrality, the journalists must keep in
focus.” (pg. 118 TEOJ)
 Columnists and editorialists are not impartial,
but are bound by the facts.
Independence of mind
 Opinion is free, but facts are sacred
 The underlying point here is the
commitment to citizens and the truth
 “Provocateurs like Ann Coulter …
(only) care about opinions, preferably
shouted. Facts, it any, are incidental.”
(TEOJ 119)
Who is a journalist?









Walter Cronkite
Bill O’Reilly
Anderson Cooper
Glen Beck
Rachel Maddow
Matt Drudge
Dr. Hunter S. Thompson (deceased)
Bob Woodward
Hellboy

Answer: Cronkite, Cooper, Thompson, Woodward (sorry, Hellboy)
Chapter 5: Independence from
Faction
 The question is not: Who is a journalist?
 But are they doing journalism? (page 120)
Who is a journalist?
 The better question: Are they doing journalism?
 Are they bound to the Elements of Journalism?
 Or are they lie-mongering, activist slanted or
propaganda?
 Freedom or press/speech belongs to everybody
 Journalism and communication are not
interchangeable terms
 Anyone can be a journalist. Not everyone is. (TEOJ
120)
Chapter 5: Independence from
Faction
 Who is a journalist?
 What separates the journalist from the
political partisan, the activist and the
propagandist?
 “As the media landscape broadens and
evolves to meet the need of a more inclusive
and activist public … what makes something
journalism?” (page 115)
 Truthfulness, commitment to the public and
watchdog role.
Independence of spirit
 Gallagher, Will and others violate this
standard by aligning with those they cover.
 Conflict of interest rule: If there is a potential
conflict of interest it should be revealed… or
completely avoided by not getting involved
with causes, people and ideas that will
destroy your credibility.
 All you have in the end is your credibility.
Chapter 5: Independence from
Faction
 Principle 4: Journalists must maintain an




independence from those they cover.
Independence of mind (page 119)
Opinion in editorials may be based on point
of view… but the facts are still the facts.
Those that only care about opinion and not
the facts are propagandists or activists. They
are not journalists.
You are entitled to your own opinion, but you
are not entitled to your own facts.
Chapter 5: Independence from
Faction
 Reporters as activists
 The conflict of interest test
Chapter 5: Independence from
Faction
 Independence reevaluated (page
1264-131)
 The journalist as activist undermines
journalistic credibility: George Will,
William Kristol, etc.
 Media personalities who are really
political operatives. Best described as
“media activists.” (page 127)
 The best example: Fox News
Chapter 5: Independence from
Faction
 The partisan press is all about
the Journalism of Affirmation
(page 128)
 Speaking to like-minded
people and not necessarily
following the facts because it
runs contrary to
preconceptions.
 The blurring of journalistic
identities: political operatives
become news people. Is that a
bad thing?
Chapter 5: Independence from
Faction
 Rupert Murdoch’s Fox is “focused heavily on
argument and ideology.” (page 127)
 Creating “balance” by giving airtime to
conservatives
 But… who is running Fox? Roger Ailes, a
political operative from the Nixon and Bush
administrations.
 The partisan press reinforces the
preconceptions of the audience and
abandons the watchdog role over the
powerful. (page 128)
Independence reevaluated
 Fox wraps itself up into a mantle of independence
 “We report. You decide.” Then “Fair and Balanced.”
 The appeal to the Fox (MSNBC etc. ) audience is: If
you like us, then our news is accurate and complete.
 Formerly, the appeal was: We’re independent
because we take on powerful interests for you. We
tell the truth. We are the watchdog of the powerful.
Trust us.
 The journalism of affirmation is a marketing
strategy. It’s about control.
 It’s prevalent and it’s wrong.
Chapter 5: Independence from
Faction
 Independence from class or economic status
 Class isolation of journalists is a threat
because the public sees them as an “elite” or
a part of the establishment: The Mainstream
Media.
 Independence from race, ethnicity, religion
and gender.
 Do you hold allegiance to core principles of
journalism or are you held hostage to your
situation?
From the SPJ Code of ethics

Act Independently
Journalists should be free of obligation to any interest other than the
public's right to know.
Journalists should:
 —Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.
— Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise
integrity or damage credibility.
— Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and shun
secondary employment, political involvement, public office and service
in community organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity.
— Disclose unavoidable conflicts.
— Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power
accountable.
— Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist
their pressure to influence news coverage.
— Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; avoid
bidding for news.
What do you do?


 You are the host of a popular public radio show in your state. One
night at a party attended by a lobbyist for an electric utility, you tell
someone that your car is in the shop for a week. The lobbyist
overhears you and comes over. He offers you a car for a week
courtesy of the utility.

 You have been invited to go on a rafting trip down the Colorado
River by the National Park Service. The trip costs $1,800 and will be
paid for by the government. Threats to the river ecosystem is the
focus of this week-long journey. Should you go?

 You are a political reporter for a cable network. You decide for the
first time in your life to send a $50 campaign contribution to your
local congressman. You have covered him throughout his career.
What do you do?



You are an environmental reporter for a newspaper. Is it OK to join the local birdwatching group, astronomical group or the Sierra Club?
You have a great idea for a story for The Voyager about a fraternity/sorority that is
sponsoring a campaign to help poor kids. You date a guy/girl in the organization.
Should you write the story?


You’re a political reporter and cover the Legislature. You’ve been invited to a golf
tournament for lawmakers sponsored by a top lobbying firm. You love golf and the
tournament will be a good place to hang-out, schmooze and get some inside stuff.
Should you go?

You’re assigned to cover the political debut of a guy running for U.S. Congress.
There’s a great buffet at campaign headquarters. Should you munch out?

Independence from faction

http://www.weartv.com/sections/station/news_team/sue_30_years.shtml
 http://www.flnd.uscourts.gov/forms/Administrative%20Orders/2006
1005_magistrate_judge_merit_selection_panel.pdf
 http://santarosaspeaks.com/cgi/forum/Blah.pl?m-1297621332/s-30/
“Straughn, as a journalist, should not double up as an arm of the
government. And, particularly, without announcing to the public that
she’s working behind the scenes on who sits on the bench. We’re left to
wonder how WEAR-TV will handle it if Kahn makes another major
misstep one he takes his federal job. Will Sue deliver the news? Will she
add that, by the way, she helped pick this man?” (PNJ editorial)