Partisan News, the Myth of Objectivity, and the Standards of Responsible Journalism

Abstract

Objective reporting was once among the foundational norms of U.S. journalism. The emergence of alternative and economically successful partisan models exemplified by Fox News, talk radio, and a range of online sources has forced reconsideration of this norm. In this paper I argue that responsible reporting can also be partisan; the proper standard is not (putative) objectivity, but a commitment to fulfill the public’s right to know through accurate and comprehensive reporting. I further argue, however, that the embrace of partisanship fulfills the public good only if, first, it meets the accurate and comprehensive standards and, second, there is a wide range of sources so that committed news consumers can gain an appropriately broad perspective.