Jon Stewart's Quest For Objectivity

Objectivity—the idea of lacking a bias has been one of the main themes the speakers of the Journalism and New Media program have drawn on. Evidently the older era of journalists take pride in their sense of impartiality, yet most of the younger journalists do not believe that the quest for objectivity is a quixotic. In fact, even if it were plausible, the younger generation often refers to gonzo journalism to get informed. Gonzo journalism, initially founded by Hunter S. Thompson, an American journalist and author, is a form of journalism that avows bias and espouses partiality. Despite heavy critiques that claim gonzo journalism is not a true form of journalism, the style is flourishing and attracting many viewers. One such journalist is Jon Stewart who used to be the host of the Daily Show, a popular commentary/satire TV show. Adopting the gonzo style, Stewart has popularized non-traditional. Not only is he innovative and insanely intelligent at critiquing the so-called “real journalism” agencies, he and his colleagues are very good at “the discipline

More Americans believe what he says than other agencies. Though he mostly attracts young liberal viewers, the poll shows that 40% of Republicans indicate that Stewart shares their “world view.” This huge success for journalism and the evolution of the field is often ignored by the older journalists who believe it is wrong that Stewart expresses his frustration, curses on TV, or makes a joke of politics.

The conventional rules of journalism limit most journalists from speaking from their heart. Stewart has chosen a path that gives him the luxury to knock sense into people. He is the much-needed voice of reason in the journalism field. Reporter Greenfield says, “There are a lot of journalists who watch Stewart and envy the freedom he has. You can’t go on television when you are a journalist and say, ‘Senator X is a bald-faced