A definition of journalistic objectivity as a performance

Abstract

Historically, journalism as a profession emerged alongside the notion of objectivity. However, in the past decades, objectivity has been dismissed not only as an unattainable standard but also as an undesirable norm. Yet an analysis of the criticisms reveals that most scholars actually fail to define journalistic objectivity. This article tries to remedy this flaw and to suggest that journalistic objectivity is an evolving notion which can no longer be considered a synonym for neutrality or detachment. Objectivity is a standard that promotes truth, defined as a ‘correspondence, grounded in correctness, between thought and reality’ (Heidegger, 1943:1). Unlike alternative standards which are centered on personal moral values, objectivity conceives of journalism as a performance, with this term referring to three interrelated dimensions: the essential notion of practice, the existence of concrete and universal criteria of evaluation, and the openness to criticisms.

Chinese-style pragmatic objectivity in war reporting

“…"The concept of objectivity has been viewed as inauthentic and illusory, masking a deeper ideological subjectivity linked to the maintenance of elite interests" (McNair, 2013, p. 84). Objectivity has been dismissed not only as an unattainable standard but also as an undesirable norm (Boudana, 2011). Other synonymous concepts like 'fairness', "balance", "accuracy", "detachment", "impartiality" or "truth" are used to define and (re-) legitimize media practitioners' practices (Deuze, 2005;Bennette, 2003;Tumber & Prentoulis, 2003;Boudana, 2010) On the other side of the debate, scholars (Schudson, 1978;Gans, 1979) argue that objectivity emerged and developed as a means of attaining journalistic credibility.…”

“…There is a gap between what journalists want to do and what they actually do (Carpentier and Trioen, 2010). Four major obstacles are often cited in the literature as hindering the realization of objectivity: political bias, organizational and structural constraints, problems posed by the social (re)construction of reality, and the barrier of language (Boudana, 2011).…”

What’s the harm in moonlighting? A qualitative survey on the role conflicts of freelance journalists with secondary employment in the field of PR

“…Since the ideal type of journalistic identity does not fully translate to reality, such normative journalistic standards are naturally questioned and have always been seen as problematic (see Boudana, 2011;Cottle, 2000;Hackett, 1984;Kovach and Rosenstiel, 2007;Stoker, 1995;Tuchman, 1972). 2.…”

Gathering emotion: examining newspaper journalists' engagement in emotional labor

“…Along with the commodification of self-inherent in the concept of emotional labor, journalists are also required by their organization and the profession as a whole to mold that working identity to ideals of intellectual and emotional detachment that the profession codifies as 'objectivity,' with this based on principles appropriated from scientific methodology (see Boudana 2011;Schiller 1981;Tuchman 1978). As part of remaining objective and demonstrating 'professionalism, ' Wahl-Jorgensen (2013) argues that journalists' 'emotional expression is heavily policed and disciplined' by their editors (130).…”