Independence from Faction

As a news journalist, it is important to maintain independence from the people or group that you are covering. As a reader, I will give more credibility to the journalist who is in no way connected to the subject being reported. Real news would not get to the people if it was controlled or directed in any way by the people or group that is being covered. I found a great article online that explores the conflict that ABC has in covering the Disney Corporation. Prior to Michael Eisner, the chairman of ABC kept a "hands-off" approach to what ABC reports. However, when Michael Eisner became the chairman, he made it very clear that he does not want ABC to report on Disney. ABC and 20/20 had an upcoming report on pedophile employees of Disney that was ultimately axed by Eisner and wasn't aired. This makes it difficult to work for ABC and give fair coverage of the Disney Corporation. Should a reporter be uncomfortable working for a company like that? According to the article, the top paid reporters, including Diane Sawyer and Barbara Walters, refused to comment but yet they also haven't resigned. I would speculate from the non-answer that they are comfortable with "selective reporting". It shows a lack of intergrity and character on the reporters part because they are not keeping themselves independent of the entities that they cover.

Staying independent while reporting the news is so important that there is an award given out for excellent independent reporting. In 2008 this award was introduced and the first ever I.F. Stone Medal for Journalistic Independence, administered by the Nieman Foundation at Harvard was given to John Walcott, Washington bureau chief for the McClatchy Company for his coverage of President George Bush's argument for invading Iraq. This is good recognition to spotlight those reporters who are doing their jobs and searching out the truth and staying independent. We need that independent voice so that we can get the full story. I love the final quote that is given on the handout for this presentation. It says, "The goal of the newsroom is to maintain an intellectually diverse where journalists hold to the idea of independence." It is a worthy goal to strive for.