Personal opinions aren't media bias

Journalists have come under a lot of fire lately about their ethics. In a recent article found in Quill magazine -- a magazine sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists -- the editor discussed the idea of objectivity.

"As a member of the local media, I couldn't openly support a presidential candidate. I couldn't run for my local school board. I was afraid of being too active in my church because bad news about the priest might pop up. Heck, I was even nervous about coaching my son's youth baseball team..." said Joe Skeel, editor of Quill.

Skeel goes on to say that reporters would have to refrain from life in order to not have an opinion on something.

This is an interesting concept. Most journalist magazines, books, courses, etc. teach students that they have to set aside their opinions, beliefs and ideas when writing newspaper articles. They must expect each journalist to have a lobotomy before entering the world of the media.

When considering the nearly impossible task of forgetting everything that one has learned about everything in order to write "objectively," it seems highly absurd. All people come to the table with their own values and opinions instilled inside them. They may not even recognize when they will be "biased" about a topic.

In order to be more objective, rather than faking amnesia about everything they have learned or believed, journalists should work on being more balanced.

Representing both sides of an issue is a sure way to make sure the public does not receive a tainted view of any issue. Journalists should not only represent both sides, but represent them equally.

For example, when covering a heated election topic, reporters can go so far as to count the lines of their article that are for the topic and that are against the topic in order to make sure they are equal.

Another thing journalists can do to be more objective is to look at the word choice they use in their articles. Words are powerful, and some of them carry extremely heavy connotations. Journalists may unknowingly represent something in a negative light just by the words that they use.

In either case, writing balanced or using words carefully, journalists should seek the opinion of their colleagues when torn on a story. Sometimes an outside opinion will help a journalist see flaws and potential biases in their articles.

An Internet article on objectivity found at essays.cc/gree_essays/g1/bth107.shtml said, "Of course it is impossible for a journalist to be completely objective because journalists are human and humans are subjective by nature."

This may be true, but there are some ways to ensure more objectivity without forcing people to deny who they really are.