This document summarizes key points from a lecture on objectivity in journalism. It discusses that true objectivity is unattainable but journalists should still aim for it by setting aside personal biases and considering alternative viewpoints. The lecture also noted that claims of objectivity can be used to manipulate news coverage and conceal biases. In the following seminar, students discussed their understanding of words like open-mindedness, impartiality, and facts in relation to objectivity. The document concludes by stating the author's view that journalists have a duty to inform the public accurately and avoid excessive personal opinions that take away from the story.

1. JOURNALISM AND SOCIETY: TERM 3,
WEEK 2
8-05-2017
OBJECTIVITY

2. THE LECTURE
This week was all about objectivity in journalism.
KEY POINTS FROM THE LECTURE
• The reason for the controversy behind the term ‘objectivity’ is mainly from
the view it is unattainable, and it is misleading to pretend otherwise.
There is objectivity in everyday conversation:
• When approaching a question rationally, a persons emotions and values are
set aside
• Having an open mind: you should be prepared to consider thigs you may
not want to be true
• Implies evidence is not invented
The requirement for objectivity makes it possible for sources to manipulate the
news and only serve to conceal bias, whether this is intended or unintended
(McQuail).

3. THE SEMINAR
In the seminar, we first discussed what we think of when we think about
objectivity. Some were:
• Open-minded
• Fair
• Impartial
• Not biased
• Facts
• Balance
Although these are some of the words we think of, they do not all mean the
same things.
A quote which was mentioned in the lecture, which I liked was: “comments are
free, facts are sacred” (C.P Scott).

4. MY THOUGHTS
In my opinion, you should try your hardest to be objective and
truthful in journalism. I think it is important because as a journalist,
you have a duty to inform people of the news and what is going
on, and it is in the publics interest to know of these things as
accurate as possible. If the information is not accurate, then it can
mislead viewers, which I believe is wrong. I think nowadays, there is
a lot of subjectivity in journalism and now it has become more
about the reporter than it has the actual story. It is natural for a
person to give a reaction, but if we put too much of ourselves into
a story then it is taking away the value of the story, and the story
should be the most important part of reporting. I don’t feel it is
right to assume that everyone is going to care for your personal
opinion about a story more than they are about the story itself.