Journalist or Activist?

Rachel Adams
Nov 6 · 2 min read

People keep telling me, as an aspiring journalist, how now is more crucial a time than ever for journalism. Those who have imparted these wise words upon me include family members, instructors at BCIT, and even sources I have interviewed for stories.

Indeed, this is a vital time for journalists. One of the first canons of journalism taught at any institution is to be as accurate as possible. These days, however, the truth is under attack.

Organizations such as Fox News and Rebel Media here in Canada employ a clear right wing bias. Such organizations do not mind bending or ignoring facts to fit their narratives.

Alternatively, highly respected media organizations such as CNN in the US and CBC here in Canada are attacked by people who identify as being on the right of the political spectrum. They are accused of leaning to the left and covering stories with such a bias.

Perhaps most people who pursue journalism or are employed by these establishments lean in a particular political direction. Perhaps those who think there is a bias would believe that regardless of content. Regardless, journalists do not seem to be trusted as they once were.

On the other hand, it is definitely not accurate to cover a story and give a side that is clearly wrong the benefit of the doubt. Equal coverage is one thing but one of the main jobs of a journalist is to hold people accountable. If a journalist does not do so for the sake of bipartisanship they are not doing their job.

So, in a time of such polarization, how do journalist students cover stories in a balanced way and avoid being seen as biased? There are no clear answers. I strongly believe, however, that journalism and activism are wholly separate, and one cannot be both at the same time.

Journalists must provide a complete and accurate account of an issue. This must be, to the best of their ability, free of bias and persuasion. Activists, by definition attempt to influence a debate to suit their position.

The right to assemble and protest are keystones to our democracy. So, too is the pillar of journalism. They are separate entities. The merging of these entities has begun the destruction of people’s faith in journalism.

This destruction of faith has occurred on the left and right. Fox News regarded as wholly unreliable by everyone in journalism except their base viewers and the current President of The United States. They are right winged activists. There are also journalists with left leaning biases whose reporting has discredited their work amongst centrists or conservative audiences.

As journalism students, we must strive to separate our personal beliefs and provide accurate, unbiased coverage. Anything less would be discrediting this practice. A practice that is under attack and more vital than ever.

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