Journalists must maintain independence from those they cover and avoid neutrality. They should focus on accuracy, intellectual fairness and informing readers rather than devotion to a group or outcome. While commentators are not neutral, journalists' credibility comes from their work, not affiliations. Independence requires avoiding arrogance, elitism, isolation or nihilism. Intent and avoiding manipulation distinguishes journalism from propaganda. Journalists should remain independent of monetary influences like Maggie Gallagher compromised herself by failing to disclose contracts promoting political initiatives.

1. Independence
from Faction
Natalie Rosenlof, Carli Hanson,
Randle Vawdrey

2. Independence vs. Neutrality
4th Key Principle to Journalism
-Journalists must maintain an independence
from those that they cover.
-Independence of spirit and mind, rather than
neutrality, that journalists must keep in focus.

3. Birth Control Debate
Rush Limbaugh

4. Birth Control Debate
Birth Control, Bishops and Religious Authority
By Gary Gutting, New York Times
"Independence of spirit and mind, rather than neutrality,
is the principle journalists must keep in focus. While
editorialists and commentators are not neutral, the
source of their credibility is still their accuracy, intellectual
fairness and ability to inform--not their devotion to a
certain group or outcome. In our independence,
however, we must avoid any tendency to stray into
arrogance, elitism, isolation or nihilism."

5. Independence vs. Neutrality
"Being impartial or neutral is not a core
principle of journalism."
"Isn't neutrality one of the principles of
journalism? The answer cannot possibly be
yes."
-The Elements of Journalism, p. 115

6. Important Issue
Is the person actually "doing journalism?"
Intent: to inform or manipulate
-Distinguishes educated journalism from
propaganda

7. Walter Cronkite

8. Maggie Gallagher
Talked a lot about the line between journalism
and activism.
"I don't relate anything to my readers that I
don't believe is true. One can be partisan...I
think it's possible to be an honest journalist and
be loyal to a cause."
-The Elements of Journalism, p. 121

9. Scandal
In 2005 it was exposed that Gallagher had a
contract with the Department of Health and
Human Services to promote an initiative started
by President Bush.
"Gallagher's failure to disclose suggests that
she knew what she was doing and
compromised the independence essential to
her claim as a journalist."
-The Elements of Journalism, p. 122

10. Independence of Mind
It comes down to this:
Journalists are in their profession because they
love it. It can be a hard job, but by staying
independent of monetary influences you can be
successful. Be like Walter Cronkite, not Maggie
Gallagher.

11. Class Elitism in the News
Stocks and High Tech Gadgets

12. Class Elitism in the News
“The biggest problem...is that the American people
feel there is a class divide between those who
produce the news and information and those who
receive it. That the class divide manifests a class
bias toward most Americans whether they are
conservative or center or liberal: if they’re working
class and they’re poor, they’re considered less
important in the society. I think that’s the principle
bias.”
-Juan Gonzalez New York Daily News

13. Race, Gender, and Religion
LDS Church Condemns Racist Past, BYU Professor's
Remarks In 'Washington Post'
Who would you choose?
To what extent does background influence a Journalists work?

14. Race, Gender, and Religion
- Descriptive, but not limiting.
- Journalist first, ______ second.
- Ultimate goal of Newsroom Diversity