The document discusses the importance of journalistic independence and the challenges of maintaining objectivity. It explores the differences between opinion journalism, which makes intellectual arguments, versus partisan propaganda. While diversity of background is important, the ultimate goal is an intellectually diverse newsroom where all journalists remain committed to independence and putting readers first above personal beliefs. Achieving true diversity requires recruiting people from a variety of classes and life experiences, not just focusing on physical traits.

1. Independence and Journalism

2. The Debate on the Proposed Mosque at Ground Zero http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4kRQ_1YOC0&feature=fvst

3. “Journalists must maintain an independence from those they cover” (Kovach & Rosenstiel118)

4. “The journalist’s role is predicated on a special kind of engagement—being dedicated to informing the public, but not to playing a direct role as an activist” (Kovach & Rosenstiel135) Engaged Independence Opinion Journalist vs. Partisan Propagandist

5. Propaganda & Activism "Propaganda is the deliberate, systematic attempt to shape perceptions, manipulate cognitions, and direct behavior to achieve a response that furthers the desired intent of the propagandist.“ -Garth Jowett and Victoria O'Donnell, Propaganda and Persuasion, 4th ed. Sage Publications, p. 7 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:We_Can_Do_It!.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Is_this_tomorrow.jpg “Activism consists of intentional action to bring about social, political, economic, or environmental change” -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Activist http://akhilak.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/consumer-activism.jpg

7. False dramatization of the Mosque’s intentions

8. Historical references to support an idea that may or may not be truehttp://www.humanevents.com/offers/offer.php?id=MSQ100&time=201102022255

10. Truthful Conclusions

12. Truthful Conclusions Put Readers First

13. "...[O]pinion must be based on something more substantial than personal beliefs if it is to be of journalistic use. It is not about believing in people or groups of people. It is a craft based on reporting, learning,understanding, and educating. Creating barriers to this process of discovery is, in the end, being disloyal to the public" (Kovach & Rosenstiel 137).

14. Writing as a Participant Hard to think from other perspectives Hard to win trust of sources, combatants Hard to persuade audience you put them ahead of “your” team (Kovach & Rosenstiel119)

15. Independence in PracticeWhat can and cannot be done? Some were actually banned from participating in certain actions

16. Different Degrees of Wrong Actions 1. Involved 2. In charge 3. Living it “Her marching jeopardized the appearance of her reporting and reprimanded her.” “Fired two editors after they founded an anti-abortion organization.” “Pulled two women reporters off a gay marriage story after they were married at City Hall.”

17. So, what should be done?…If anything

18. Opinion Journalists Delivering News Clear and open in intent Open in its allegiance to a set of intellectual principles Holds above faction or party Committed to principles of journalism Not about reporting the news, but making sense of it

19. Partisans Delivering News Success of Fox and Rush Limbaugh (for example) has had impact on press Political operatives and celebrities Bloggers Speak to like-minded people Proselytize the undecided

20. Discussion Can anyone reasonably be expected to cover those who they have personal, even intimate, loyalties to? Are journalists obligated to be loyal first and foremost to citizens?

21. Class and Economic Status Journalists are more highly trained, better educated, and better paid (in some places) Americans feel a class divide between those who produce news and those who receive it Cognitive elite Worldviews, mind sets, and biases from their peers News shaped to tastes and needs of upper class

22. Commercialization of the News News coverage is a distortion of the way life is lived in the US Strategic targeting of elite demographics 1% of population owns 35% of stock Is everyone watching the stock prices on CNBC? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UhKOs3dYk4

23. Class Divide People see press as an establishment they are alienated from Not a public surrogate on their behalf Solution: Newsrooms should recruit people from a diversity of classes, backgrounds, and interests How? Pull people from other careers?

25. Ethnicity

26. Religion

28. Ethnicity

29. Religion

30. Gender

32. Diversity of Background and Ideas Class, education, region, family, personal psychology, personal experience and religion all shape our personal ideas and beliefs. Observable traits serve as proxy but there is a lot more to it. There is no such thing as the “black” or “white” viewpoint etc.

33. The Office clip We should not be “colorblind” Personal characteristics are what color journalism How can we fulfill our role as journalists while not completely ignoring our personal traits/ideas?

34. Can ethnicity and gender be equated to identity or expertise? A good reporter should be able to cover everyone and everything

35. “The ultimate goal of newsroom diversity is to create an intellectually mixed environment where everyone holds firm to the idea of journalistic independence.”