Manage Discussion Entry

Writing in a fair an unbiased manner is the way to be objective when we address any topic. However, not every issue is the same; some problems like the environment and climate change can awake passions because of the fixed relation between damage to the environment and its consequences regarding the survival of every species on earth, including humans. This view of the effects of climate change could interfere with a journalist’s ability to write objectively and will be reflected in the report. “Environmental journalists also face the challenge of having scientists as primary sources.” (Hiles & Hinnant, 2014). Our sources will play a vital role in our objectivity of the report. Having sources which represent only one side of the story could be seen, and in fact, it is a factor that will interfere with a balanced report. Something else to keep in mind is the conflict of interests; for example, there’ve been scientists who have refused evidence of global warming with the unconscionable purpose of protecting the interests of the fossil fuel industry.

Being objective on sensitive issues that concern every single human being on earth isn’t an easy task, and it takes a real professional to report in a fair and unbiased manner. However, the topic of global warming, or climate change which are environmental issues, aren’t only controversial; since these are topics which have mainly been covered for several decades; is also complicated to make an original and non-repetitive report about it. Every contentious issue has two sides and is vital to include both sides in the report. “In most cases, stories that emphasize only one side of a controversial issue, lead the audience to see a bias.” (Akpan, Martin, Alexander & Uchenna, 2012). To be objective when reporting on environmental issues a reporter has to maintain a neutral position about it and prevent personal opinions to interfere with the facts to allow the reader to reach their conclusions.

Luis Torres

References

Hiles, S. S., & Hinnant, A. (2014). Climate change in the newsroom: Journalists’ evolving standards of objectivity when covering global warming. Science Communication, 36(4), 428-453. doi:10.1177/1075547014534077

Akpan, C. S., Paul Martin, O., Chima Alexander, O., & Uchenna, A. (2012). Rethinking Objectivity in News Reporting in the Digital Age. Journal of Alternative Perspectives In The Social Sciences, 4(4), 711-729.