The Concept of Journalism Objectity
In its theoratical context objectivity immediately rules that taking any side or giving first preference or more coverage to any viewpoint more than the other is to be unethical. As defined by Westerstahl (1983) in McQuail (2005: 172) objectivity refers to “absence of subjectivity or personal involvement, non-partisanship, accuracy, relevance and completeness.” McNair (1998: 68) as cited in Franklin et al (2005: 177) notes that objectivity is the “separation of facts and opinion, a balanced account of a debate and the validation of journalistic statements by reference to authoritative others.”
In its theoratical context objectivity immediately rules that taking any side or giving first preference or more coverage to any viewpoint more than the other is to be unethical. As defined by Westerstahl (1983) in McQuail (2005: 172) objectivity refers to “absence of subjectivity or personal involvement, non-partisanship, accuracy, relevance and completeness.” McNair (1998: 68) as cited in Franklin et al (2005: 177) notes that objectivity is the “separation of facts and opinion, a balanced account of a debate and the validation of journalistic statements by reference to authoritative others.”
The elements of journalism objectivity
(Adapted from Westerstahl, 1983)
According to this diagram, Westerstahl (1983) notes that objectivity takes two dimensions that somehow become its pillars. One dimension is factuality/accuracy which McQuail (2005: 173) argues that it is the “completeness of an account and an intention not to mislead or suppress what is relevance.” Factuality is premised on three pillars namely truth, informativeness and relevance. Truth is the absence of falsehoods (Franklin et al, 2005; Howard, 2009).Informativeness means “reporting alternative perspectives in non-sensational, unbiased way” (McQuail, 2005: 174). Relevance means fitting very well within the context (Howard, 2009). The implication of this criterion is that should any of the components go missing in the stories then there is no objectivity to talk about.
The other pillar of objectivity is impartiality which can be achieved through balance and neutrality. Neutrality means “not leaning on any group or society whatsoever” (McQuail, 2005: 172). Balance refers to giving “equal proportional time/space/emphasis of all points of view in a story” (McQuail, 2005: 173; Howard, 2009: 23; Franklin et al, 2005: 23; Wilson, 1996: 45).
Suggested reading
Franklin, B. et al. (2005). Key concepts in Journalism Studies, London: Sage
Howard, R. (2009). Conflict Sensitive Journalism: Special Edition Zimbabwe, Copenhagen: International Media Support.
Kovach, B. and Rosentiel, T. (2007). The Elements of Journalsim: What Newspeople should know and the public should expect. Three Rivers Press, New York.
McQuail, D. (2000). McQuail’s Mass Communication Theory. 4th edition, London: Sage.
McQuail, D. (2005). McQuail’s Mass Communication Theory. 5th edition, London: Sage.
(Adapted from Westerstahl, 1983)
According to this diagram, Westerstahl (1983) notes that objectivity takes two dimensions that somehow become its pillars. One dimension is factuality/accuracy which McQuail (2005: 173) argues that it is the “completeness of an account and an intention not to mislead or suppress what is relevance.” Factuality is premised on three pillars namely truth, informativeness and relevance. Truth is the absence of falsehoods (Franklin et al, 2005; Howard, 2009).Informativeness means “reporting alternative perspectives in non-sensational, unbiased way” (McQuail, 2005: 174). Relevance means fitting very well within the context (Howard, 2009). The implication of this criterion is that should any of the components go missing in the stories then there is no objectivity to talk about.
The other pillar of objectivity is impartiality which can be achieved through balance and neutrality. Neutrality means “not leaning on any group or society whatsoever” (McQuail, 2005: 172). Balance refers to giving “equal proportional time/space/emphasis of all points of view in a story” (McQuail, 2005: 173; Howard, 2009: 23; Franklin et al, 2005: 23; Wilson, 1996: 45).
Suggested reading
Franklin, B. et al. (2005). Key concepts in Journalism Studies, London: Sage
Howard, R. (2009). Conflict Sensitive Journalism: Special Edition Zimbabwe, Copenhagen: International Media Support.
Kovach, B. and Rosentiel, T. (2007). The Elements of Journalsim: What Newspeople should know and the public should expect. Three Rivers Press, New York.
McQuail, D. (2000). McQuail’s Mass Communication Theory. 4th edition, London: Sage.
McQuail, D. (2005). McQuail’s Mass Communication Theory. 5th edition, London: Sage.
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