Journalistic Integrity

People often talk about the need for journalists to be objective. Personally I think it's more important for the reader to objectively consider multiple sources and then decide things for themselves.

Setting aside columnists, editorial writers, and the unabashed partisan commentators out there, I think most journalists try their best to fill that role for their reader - to consider the facts and present them fairly - but that doesn't take away the responsibility of the reader from using his or her own judgment.

For instance, a reporter may feel it necessary to present "both sides" of a story in order to seem balanced; yet, unlike watching an elephant and a mouse at opposite ends of a see-saw, the reader may get the wrong impression that two unequal sides actually deserve the same consideration.

However, what may be even more disturbing than presenting a false balance is when reputable news outlets offer rumour as fact.

Think it doesn't happen?

Remember all of the things we heard in the immediate aftermath of hurricane Katrina this summer and then read the following essay. If nothing else, it should re-inforce the need to carefully consider all sources and come to your own conclusions.

They Shoot Helicopters, Don’t They?
How journalists spread rumors during Katrina.
- by Matt Welch (Reason Online)