The Real Loser: Lack Of Fairness In The Media

Journalism is the communication of facts, opinions, commentary, and ideas to a general public by publishers and broadcasting organizations. When used appropriately, it can have a profound and beneficial impact on society by allowing the public to come to complete conclusions, make proper decisions, and plan for the future. It also helps to shape political climate as well as influences business and government. But today, experts and intellects question if journalism is properly fulfilling its role in society. With journalistic standards constantly evolving over time, the conventional wisdom regarding today’s journalism is that objectivity lacks significance, fairness is not commonplace, and cultural biases sway reporters in their writing.

In the New York Times article “The Real Loser: Truth,” by Kevin Kruse, the argument is made that news entities “present all claims [to be] equally valid” (Kruse 2) as opposed to confirming presented facts in a fair manner. This is similar to Greenhouse’s opinion in which she concludes that today’s press treats all opinions equally (Greenhouse 22). On the contrary, Glenn Greenwald, in “Limiting Democracy: The American Media’s World View and Ours,” makes a different conclusion regarding fairness. He finds “fairness” to be in a positive light when he determines that the twenty four hour cable news networks, with their nonstop political programming, provide a fair and accurate exposition of contradictory partisan views (Greenwald 830). This difference of opinion between Kruse and Greenhouse to Greenwald is likely due to the different methods of reception of today’s media. Kruse and Greenwald are primarily referencing textual articles while Greenwald is referring to televised political discussions. Nevertheless, Kruse and Greenhouse find the degree of fairness in the current press to be less than desirable while Greenwald conversely finds it to be

In Greenwald’s article, he contends that reporters frequently succumb to “career incentives” (837) such as maintaining general support for the government and avoiding being portrayed as overly radical. By disapproving of government action or depicting themselves as a political radical, reporters risk losing an audience and valuable news sources. Sullivan, on the contrary, believes that journalists will yield to ethics rather than to their own personal interests. She urges reporters to maintain “accuracy, intellectual honesty, rigorous reporting and fairness” (Sullivan 2) in all articles that they compose. Sullivan also concedes that while not everyone will be pleased with every article, personal and professional morals will never lose value (2). Moreover, the difference in the expressed perspectives between Greenwald and Sullivan is likely due to realism and optimism respectively. Greenwald is writing with regards to anticipated human intentions while Sullivan is writing with more of a utopian