Transparency vs. objectivity: it doesn't have to be a battle

For journalists, objectivity has always been the goal when conveying information to the public. Lack of bias ensures that the reader will have exposure to all necessary information and will be able to form his or her opinions based upon that info. Objectivity also assumes that a reader can make judgments about topics on which they are most likely uneducated. As a society, we are heavily and increasingly valuing transparency, as blogged about by Joho in the article "Transparency is the new objectivity." I have witnessed society's expectations about transparency shift towards necessity, especially during the most recent election.

Obviously, journalism needs facts. The purpose of journalism is to convey accurate information to large audiences. However, as social media transforms into a major platform for news consumption, the sheer amount of information available to readers creates a new need for transparency in journalism.

It would be enough to have the facts of a story. But as a culture we are advancing towards revolutionizing the way we communicate and transfer information across the world. Now that we have the ability to fact check a story instantaneously using the Internet, there is a need for analysis. Readers must not only consume facts to stay informed, but readers also have the obligation to make informed judgments about the information they consume. There is an abundance of transparent journalism, especially that which is put forth by independent blogs without corporations puppeteering their choices. To make informed opinions, one must educate themselves as much as possible - and that is by reading others' informed opinions.

As a consumer of the news media, I feel that readers should ingest the facts first, and them spend as much time as possible on understanding the complex issue through exposing one's self to different worldviews. I am grateful for the abundance of transparency in today's journalism so I can better understand other points of view and further develop my view of the world.


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