Impartiality In Journalism Essay

The phenomena of impartiality and objectivity are the most popular objects for discussion in the circles of journalists and media experts nowadays. There is controversy whether these theoretical concepts have practical application and whether they are essential elements of modern journalism. In this case it is significant to understand what elements of impartiality are topical for contemporaneity and whether there is a need to strive for impartiality at all.

First of all, it is important to understand the meaning of the word «impartiality». It is equal for both individual and non-individual journalist. The BBC`s Charter and Agreement explains the impartiality as the combination of objectivity, balance and neutrality, but it does not mean none of these separate concepts. Moreover, BBC interprets impartiality as «providing a breadth of view» (BBC, n.d.). An inherent part of this wide term is fairness – nobody can be impartial without it. Therefore, it is important not to take sides.

Regardless the stereotypes, the impartiality may include the judgment. It means that the author has rights to make accent or emphasis: «You can tell your audience where a particular argument sits in a current debate, or point out that a particular view

For instance, Raphael Cohen-Almador asserts that the media need not stay neutral when values and institutions of democracy are threatened and attacked (Cohen-Almador, 2008). He believes that a person can combine his or her civil position and professional journalism. Simultaneously this statement is debatable and denies the main rules of impartial journalism. Nevertheless, David Brewer from Media helping Media would not agree with such view. In one of his articles for International journalists’ network he says that journalists should “keep their own opinions firmly under wraps” (Brewer,