Ethics In Journalism – Taking Sides

This is Part 11 in a Multi-Part Series Examining Journalistic Ethics

ALLIANCE – It is a reporter’s duty to report the facts of a situation, event or any other topics about which they are reporting. Because a credible reporter should remain objective, taking sides in any scenario can greatly damage the way the public views that particular reporter.

More times than not, there are two or more sides to a story. An objective reporter should ride along the fence and not polarize themselves into one side or another.

When a reporter does take sides, interject their personal or political opinion, and unfairly reports against certain groups, the audience may not take that reporter seriously any more. When a reporter takes sides, people tend to believe there is not fair reporting because the reporter is pushing an agenda about which some would not agree.

With the political and social strife occurring in the nation at this time, it is especially important for a journalist to remain objective. In intense situations such as we see today with the election of President Donald Trump, it can be easy for a reporter to be pulled in one direction.

There is a danger associated with this problem. Reporters begin reporting one sided on an issue, and this can drive the public to believe the half-truth they hear or read in the news. Reporting a manipulated story to meet one’s agenda may result in boycotts, lawsuits, riots and more.

It is clear, if one looks at a multitude of news sources, many times some crimes are reported by the news because of a certain reasoning, and some are not reported for the same reasoning. Being biased in things such as hatred, racisim (coming from any race), and some violent crimes gives the public an unbalanced view of society.

If a reporter reports for example a black man being abused by a police officer, the same needs to be done in cases involving whites, Asians, and any other race. Not doing so creates an anger and hatred from some groups who would not otherwise be so mad. The one sided reporting presents a false view of the world and can make one group seem to be victimized than any other.

Taking sides is taking a large step away from the ethics journalists once tried so hard to follow and achieve. At the point when the reporter takes sides, the reporter shifts from being a reporter and becomes a propagandist.