As someone who once worked as the editor of a small weekly newspaper, and presently as an on-and-off news reporter for Street Roots, I must say that it is a constant challenge to have a fair and balanced news coverage when the publication is understaffed and is on very tight deadlines. It is always tempting to seek resources and information only from those whom one knows and feels familiar with, because it is easy and fast.
In newspaper business, there is no such thing as a fully unbiased newspaper. And there is a place and need in society to have the media outlets that truly advocate for those whose voices are unheard. But that must be done in a way that does not silence the opposing views, in a way that gives a fair and good-faith chance for the "antagonists" to tell their sides of the story, and in a way that allows readers to make a well-informed decision on the matter. This is also a matter of promoting media literacy.
This is why traditionally the media make clear distinctions between news coverage and editorial (unsigned editorials, op-ed, columns, analysis).
We can have a good, solid advocacy in media and still uphold a good journalistic standard. Many newspapers were founded and are operated on certain political or ideological views. For example, the Christian Science Monitor was originally founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1908 as a way to counter the sensationalistic and hostile tones of the newspapers in reporting the Christian Scientists (thus an advocacy for a marginalized religious sect; and even to this day the Monitor stays away from topics such as death and medicine), nevertheless, it has always insisted on journalistic integrity. In fact, the Christian Science Monitor has won several Pulitzer prizes and is among some of the most respected newspapers in the world.
In newspaper business, there is no such thing as a fully unbiased newspaper. And there is a place and need in society to have the media outlets that truly advocate for those whose voices are unheard. But that must be done in a way that does not silence the opposing views, in a way that gives a fair and good-faith chance for the "antagonists" to tell their sides of the story, and in a way that allows readers to make a well-informed decision on the matter. This is also a matter of promoting media literacy.
This is why traditionally the media make clear distinctions between news coverage and editorial (unsigned editorials, op-ed, columns, analysis).
We can have a good, solid advocacy in media and still uphold a good journalistic standard. Many newspapers were founded and are operated on certain political or ideological views. For example, the Christian Science Monitor was originally founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1908 as a way to counter the sensationalistic and hostile tones of the newspapers in reporting the Christian Scientists (thus an advocacy for a marginalized religious sect; and even to this day the Monitor stays away from topics such as death and medicine), nevertheless, it has always insisted on journalistic integrity. In fact, the Christian Science Monitor has won several Pulitzer prizes and is among some of the most respected newspapers in the world.
