Gregg Zachary: A Journalism Manifesto. Professional journalists can restore their status only by taking radical action. They are getting torn to pieces fighting the wrong battles. Journalists keep telling critics that they are committed to hearing all sides. That they are committed to “objectivity,” which in practical terms means giving ink and airtime to various viewpoints in a fair and even detached way. This so-called balance is supposed to translate into the all-important objectivity.
I tend to agree with this, as I noted in a posting last year called “The End of Objectivity” — but Zachary’s call to arms is even more pointed than mine.
Also: CBS News’ Vaughn Ververs responds to Zachary.