During this current election cycle we heard much rambling about “media bias.” I have been thinking about this for a long time and decided to post some thoughts. I have an interest in the media in general. I had a minor in marketing communications while in college so I did have some journalism classes. One thing I remember from those classes is the idea of ethical journalism. It has been called the “ethic of conviction.” It seems the idea of simply reporting the “facts” has become passé or lost. The “media bias” discussions from the “right” have accused the major media outlets of violating the standards of journalism.

I understand and the average reader/viewer understands that reporting all the facts is not possible. All news has some editor responsible for the content. I wonder however if market forces have had an undue amount of influence in our available news. I wonder if there is a USA Today affect. Is the cable news media the tail the wags the dog. Newspapers continue to lay off people and their influence seems to waning. Is the newspaper dead? Do news providers in an effort to compete compromise their standards or “canons of journalism.” In my opinion there is no difference between news and opinion in the main stream media today. Objectivity is gone, prompting some to urge reintroduction of the “Fairness Doctrine.” This many argue violates the First Amendment right of free speech. The reintroduction of the fairness doctrine could also lead to regulation of the internet content. How do you bloggers feel about that?

The Handbook for Independent Journalism sites the work of Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel who write in their book, The Elements of Journalism: What Newspeople Should Know and the Public Should Expect, there are some clear principles that journalists in a democratic society agree on and that citizens have a right to expect:

• Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth.
• Its first loyalty is to citizens.
• Its essence is a discipline of verification.
• Its practitioners must maintain an independence from those they cover.
• Journalism must serve as an independent monitor of power.
• It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise.
• It must strive to make the significant interesting and relevant.
• It must keep the news comprehensive and proportional.
• Its practitioners must be allowed to exercise their personal conscience.