NEWS JOURNALISM AND THE PRINCIPLES OF OBJECTIVITY.

The article critically examines the concept of objectivity in mainstream news journalism, particularly as practiced in the United States and similar liberal democracies. It argues that the traditional principles of objectivity—namely, the “just the facts” principle, positional neutrality, and dispas...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Journal of Ethics & Social Philosophy Vol. 31; no. 3; pp. 419 - 442
Autores principales: Jagannathan, Dhananjay, Morse, Clara Ence
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Journal of Ethics & Social Philosophy May2026
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Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:The article critically examines the concept of objectivity in mainstream news journalism, particularly as practiced in the United States and similar liberal democracies. It argues that the traditional principles of objectivity—namely, the “just the facts” principle, positional neutrality, and dispassionate rhetoric—when treated as strict requirements, undermine journalism’s democratic goals of informing citizens and holding power to account. Instead, the authors propose reconceiving mainstream news journalism as a form of democratic political agency that aims to preserve the communicative conditions necessary for effective public deliberation and accountability, without advancing partisan agendas or acting as activists. This alternative framework addresses critiques of journalism as propaganda or activism and calls for a philosophy of journalism that centers its democratic purpose rather than adherence to objectivity as a master value.