Objective Journalism: Oxymoron

Through the development of more and more sophisticated mass communications, the news has become an immediate chronological record of society: our hopes, speed, progress, problems, joys, and disasters. Yet through the eyes of partisan journalists, the news, at best, provides a shallow and vague view of society. The typical nightly news covers only a fraction of the thousands of events that happen daily and the news highlights drama over reality, popularity over social significance, and comfortable repetitive reporting over insightful analysis. The question remains: how is it that something so superficial and paltry be so incredibly fundamental to our day-to-day lives? (Bennett 14)

In this essay I will prove that bias in journalism does exist and that it always will. I will prove that it is not a "liberal" or "conservative" bias, but rather it is human nature. Through the media's choice of what to cover as news, I will demonstrate that objectivity will never couple with journalism. Objectivity is impossible

Liberal bias in the media is a myth. Just take a look at the editorial pages of a local newspaper. Check out whose columns appear there. Chances are that you'll find names such as George Will, James Kirkpatrick, David Broder, Ellen Goodman, Mike Royko, William Safire and William F. Buckley. They are the top seven syndicated columnists in the nation, each appearing in dozens of papers. Now, consider the political stances of the columnists on this list. Will, Kirkpatrick, Buckley and Safire are infallible conservatives. Broder is the embodiment of the centrist who never strays from conservative wisdom. Royko is a grouchy killjoy who can't be pinned down politically.

for human beings to achieve. We are biased in everything that we say and do through past experiences and prior knowledge. I will accomplish my task through the use of studies, interviews, surveys and polls.

This further proves the point that the media is objective, but not in the "liberal" or "conservative" sense, but rather by what the editor deems appropriate or interesting.

Some topics in this essay:
Oxymoron Allegations, Tom Wicker, Columbia University, Extra Croteau, George Broder, Human Events, Post Shaw, Buckley Safire, George Washington, Christians Cohen, economic issues, political journalists, read hear, media bias, liberal media bias, objective journalism, liberal media, percent described themselves, position papers, bias media, political philosophy, editorial pages,