Independence in Journalism

As a journalist, it is important to understand the line between journalism and activism. A journalist’s job is to find the truth, or find other people’s side of the truth, and report it. It is to expose beliefs and opinions and let the public make decisions for themselves. Activism crosses that line. Activism is detrimental to the credibility of a journalist because if a viewer or reader doesn’t agree with that journalist’s point of view, then they will stop watching or reading them. Before covering a story, full disclosure of possible biases should be given to the news director.

                For a reporter to remain free of crossing this line, they must adhere to the following guidelines.

 

1.       Stick to the facts

2.       Maintain truthful conclusions

3.       Remain loyal to readers

 

Following these guidelines are invaluable to the credibility and trust that people place in the journalist. Activism usually makes you lose viewers or readers. Being a true journalist and maintaining independence from activism of any kind will help you maintain them.  

However, below is a link that shows some positive sides of being an activist and a journalist at the same time:

http://ajws.org/who_we_are/news/archives/viewpoints/journalism_as_activism.html

There are times when journalists can use their far-reaching voices to promote social justice for the good of humanity. Let's not forget that journalists are still human beings. It is when trivial ideologies get tangled with news that journalists may lose viewers or readers.

Many argue that Fox News is not journalistic because of its seemingly activist persona. Here is a link:

http://themoderatevoice.com/75824/political-activism-masquerading-as-ambush-journalism/

It is important to remember that some journalists have an agenda based on the political views of their employers. They are trying to keep their jobs. I would like to be able to keep myself independent from these "entangling alliances" and just find the TRUTH and report it, and let the public make their own opinion on what I report.