Political journalism faces a particular dilemma, as the common custom of reporting rival government and opposition claims, unquestioningly and without first interrogating the truth of them, leaves us with Punch and Judy public discourse.To discuss this issue, Unthinkable turned to Dr Eileen Culloty, deputy director of, Dublin City University’s Institute of Future Media, Democracy and Society, and an assistant professor in the university’s school of communications.
Objectivity in journalism has had a mixed history. For much of the 20th century, there was a consensus that journalists should aim towards the ideal. What has changed since? “For example, consider the implications of the phrase ‘known to gardaí’ in a news report. Or consider how cases of intimate-partner homicide are reported: some journalists will include references to wider domestic violence statistics while others will not. Those decisions have a bearing on whether the case is viewed as an isolated tragedy or as part of a wider pattern of violence.
Some suggest objectivity is more of a commercial decision than a moral one, the idea being that the audience is more likely to pay for trusted reporting. Whether or not that’s really the motive of media outlets, should it be discouraged? “I wouldn’t view it as a dilemma of truthfulness versus objectivity. Ultimately, editors and journalists need to make decisions about how to report the news and about how to do that in ways that serve the public interest. The public interest obligation is key because it calls for a commitment to act responsibly.
“Nevertheless, I wouldn’t say journalists need to hold back their opinions if they want to be taken seriously as objective journalists. Rather, they need to find ways to communicate the difference between the two. I think many young journalists are already adept at this.
No there’s loads of space on the www for them…they cling to all known and available shite they read and if they read that on so called “reputable media” it’s game over. Please if everyone could stick to verifiable truthful content it would be greatly appreciated
No
Just do the facts.
Is tic too allowed in your office just asking
Freedom of speech and honest journalism would have been nice , it’s too late for newspapers now!
Your readership lapped up ‘Russiagate’ conspiracy theory claims for months. So why not? Conspiracy sells.
Yes. People are generally intelligent enough if give two sides or more then one view to make up their own minds. How do you or we define what a conspiracy theory is?
Aren't you already? Saying that the pandemic is still out there 🤣🤣🤣🤡
Don’t tow government line
Just news and by news i mean facts not the usual nonsense your own paper is guilty of.
It’s no conspiracy that journalism is at an all time low
Are you going to investigate your own news editors? If not then don't bother, you're part of the problem.
Yes!
What ever you think the elites are doing I'm sorry to tell you,its way worse than you think
'People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in some contrivance to raise prices.' Adam Smith
Newspapers should stop spreading misinformation of their own, such as Vaccines were safe & effective or that mass migration of unvetted males from the 3rd world cultures is safe or benefits us. There is no such thing as a good MSM journalist.
They should give govt lies and propaganda less space Most they label as conspiracy gets proven right, it’s just their propaganda shuts down the debate
Define a 'Conspiracy theory'?
I’m old enough to remember when the 9/11 official story and weapons of mass destruction were all over the news papers worldwide for weeks. Look how that turned out. 🤷🏻♂️
Newspapers should revert to journalism. Stop joining the trend of having activists instead of journalism. That’s what opinion pages are for. Reportage is to be objective and checked . Then readers will go back to the media. Calling facts conspiracy makes you lose readers
No, because credible media is selectively quoted by conspiracists, so should only print the truth.
No