7 ms·

This is not a journalist. This is someone that writes their opinion on a column. I’m sick and tired of "journalists" (probably should call them "professional o

This is not a journalist. This is someone that writes their opinion on a column. I’m sick and tired of "journalists" (probably should call them "professional opinion givers") using the journals to spew their personal opinions instead of reporting the news. I know I was born too late to experience the golden age of journalism where journals would actually stick to give you the news, but it’s just tiresome to see the journalist's personal opinions and ideologies now in full display on every article. I don’t care about what they feel about the theme, I just want the facts. And judging by how journals are faring, I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one feeling this.

ceejayoz 2y ago
> I know I was born too late to experience the golden age of journalism where journals would actually stick to give you the news... Can you clarify what time period that was? > This is not a journalist. This is someone that writes their opinion on a column. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journalist https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journalist "Depending on the form of journalism, 'journalist' may also describe various categories of people by the roles they play in the process. These include reporters, correspondents, citizen journalists, editors, editorial writers, columnists, and photojournalists." You're thinking of a reporter.
didibus 2y ago
Well, she resigned in protest of the entire newspaper becoming an opinion piece. But the idea that news is without bias/opinion is a bit controversial. They have limited space, what they choose to report on and not, promote, etc. are all forms of opinion that reflects ideology. Maybe it is us in our era who are too naive and gullible, asking for something that isn't possible, instead of learning to think for ourselves and be critical.
- gopher_space 2y ago
  > But the idea that news is without bias/opinion is a bit controversial. It's not controversial, it's an idea only held by morons who didn't finish high school. To be clear, everyone in this country with a GED or higher has taken classes on media literacy and bias and understands that unbiased news isn't a thing and never has been.
  - Clubber 2y ago
    It was really good during Cronkite and pretty much died with "Fake but accurate," from Dan Rather, who was ironically Cronkite's successor. Back then, they tried really hard, but today, they just don't have the integrity to do that anymore. I'm not sure if it's due to personnel/editor issues (i.e. journalistic activism), or the nature of the declining business model dictates they have to pander to their audiences. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Cronkite https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Cronkite https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killian_documents_controversy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killian_documents_controversy Here's a Cronkite interview from 1983, the last section is particularly enlightening (5:38). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6LVCd6mFHE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6LVCd6mFHE
rainsford 2y ago
Even if you don't like the idea of the opinion section in newspapers, the Washington Post seems like they're going for the worst of all possible worlds here by keeping the section but pushing it towards only reflecting Jeff Bezos' personal opinions. But I also don't see a problem with the idea of having the opinion section in the first place. Not every topic worth covering can be boiled down to just the facts and there is a long history and a lot of value to be found in consuming well formed opinions on a particular topic from a variety of voices in addition to just the facts. As long as media outlets clearly separate the two, those who want just the news can steer clear of the opinion section entirely.
kjrfghslkdjfl 2y ago
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add-sub-mul-div 2y ago
> This is not a journalist. This is someone that writes their opinion on a column. > I know I was born too late to experience the golden age of journalism where journals would actually stick to give you the news No, you were born too recently to have yet reached the level of education that teaches what journalism is.
- gitaarik 2y ago
  So what is journalism according to you? Opinions? Columns?
  - ceejayoz 2y ago
    It includes those things, yes. As with photography, data analysis, investigating, editing, etc.
    - gitaarik 2y ago
      Yeah but it's also preference. Some people like to read the facts and then come to their own conclusions. I think it can be interesting to read an opinion / column so now and then, to see someone's perspective. But I think it's important to also think about the stuff that's happening yourself, and not just take the opinions and views of someone else.
      - add-sub-mul-div 2y ago
        Yes that's the point of editorial journalism, to give you another perspective. You're the one acting as if you've been forced to accept their opinion verbatim which you haven't, and deciding it's not journalism, which it demonstrably is.
        gitaarik 2y ago
        I wasn't the one who posted the original comment you replied to. And yeah, reading other people's opinion can help you give perspectives and come to your own personal views. But I also think that certain newspapers seem to weave in little opinions in between the facts, and sometimes it's hard to separate them. And I empathise with the annoyance of that.

ceejayoz 2y ago

> I know I was born too late to experience the golden age of journalism where journals would actually stick to give you the news... Can you clarify what time period that was? > This is not a journalist. This is someone that writes their opinion on a column. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journalist https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journalist "Depending on the form of journalism, 'journalist' may also describe various categories of people by the roles they play in the process. These include reporters, correspondents, citizen journalists, editors, editorial writers, columnists, and photojournalists." You're thinking of a reporter.

didibus 2y ago

Well, she resigned in protest of the entire newspaper becoming an opinion piece. But the idea that news is without bias/opinion is a bit controversial. They have limited space, what they choose to report on and not, promote, etc. are all forms of opinion that reflects ideology. Maybe it is us in our era who are too naive and gullible, asking for something that isn't possible, instead of learning to think for ourselves and be critical.

gopher_space 2y ago
> But the idea that news is without bias/opinion is a bit controversial. It's not controversial, it's an idea only held by morons who didn't finish high school. To be clear, everyone in this country with a GED or higher has taken classes on media literacy and bias and understands that unbiased news isn't a thing and never has been.
- Clubber 2y ago
  It was really good during Cronkite and pretty much died with "Fake but accurate," from Dan Rather, who was ironically Cronkite's successor. Back then, they tried really hard, but today, they just don't have the integrity to do that anymore. I'm not sure if it's due to personnel/editor issues (i.e. journalistic activism), or the nature of the declining business model dictates they have to pander to their audiences. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Cronkite https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Cronkite https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killian_documents_controversy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killian_documents_controversy Here's a Cronkite interview from 1983, the last section is particularly enlightening (5:38). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6LVCd6mFHE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6LVCd6mFHE

rainsford 2y ago

Even if you don't like the idea of the opinion section in newspapers, the Washington Post seems like they're going for the worst of all possible worlds here by keeping the section but pushing it towards only reflecting Jeff Bezos' personal opinions. But I also don't see a problem with the idea of having the opinion section in the first place. Not every topic worth covering can be boiled down to just the facts and there is a long history and a lot of value to be found in consuming well formed opinions on a particular topic from a variety of voices in addition to just the facts. As long as media outlets clearly separate the two, those who want just the news can steer clear of the opinion section entirely.

kjrfghslkdjfl 2y ago

[dead]

add-sub-mul-div 2y ago

> This is not a journalist. This is someone that writes their opinion on a column. > I know I was born too late to experience the golden age of journalism where journals would actually stick to give you the news No, you were born too recently to have yet reached the level of education that teaches what journalism is.

gitaarik 2y ago
So what is journalism according to you? Opinions? Columns?
- ceejayoz 2y ago
  It includes those things, yes. As with photography, data analysis, investigating, editing, etc.
  - gitaarik 2y ago
    Yeah but it's also preference. Some people like to read the facts and then come to their own conclusions. I think it can be interesting to read an opinion / column so now and then, to see someone's perspective. But I think it's important to also think about the stuff that's happening yourself, and not just take the opinions and views of someone else.
    - add-sub-mul-div 2y ago
      Yes that's the point of editorial journalism, to give you another perspective. You're the one acting as if you've been forced to accept their opinion verbatim which you haven't, and deciding it's not journalism, which it demonstrably is.
      - gitaarik 2y ago
        I wasn't the one who posted the original comment you replied to. And yeah, reading other people's opinion can help you give perspectives and come to your own personal views. But I also think that certain newspapers seem to weave in little opinions in between the facts, and sometimes it's hard to separate them. And I empathise with the annoyance of that.