Editing Journalistic objectivity (section)

== Definitions ==
Sociologist [[Michael Schudson]] suggests that "the belief in objectivity is a faith in 'facts,' a distrust in 'values,' and a commitment to their segregation".<ref>{{cite book
|title=Discovering the News: A social history of American newspapers
|isbn=978-0-465-01666-2
|first=Michael
|last=Schudson
|year=1978
|url-access=registration
|url=https://archive.org/details/discoveringnews00schu
}}</ref> Objectivity also outlines an institutional role for [[journalist]]s as a [[fourth estate]], a body that exists apart from government and large interest groups.<ref>Schudson, ''Discovering the News''</ref>

Journalistic objectivity requires that a journalist not be on either side of an argument. The journalist must report only the facts and not a personal attitude toward the facts.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bAP5MOcnH8EC&pg=PA203|title=Discovering Journalism|publisher=Greenwood|year=1999|page=203|author=Warren G. Bovée|isbn=9780313309472}}</ref> While objectivity is a complex and dynamic notion that may refer to a multitude of techniques and practices, it generally refers to the idea of "three distinct, yet interrelated, concepts": truthfulness, [[Neutrality (philosophy)|neutrality]], and detachment.<ref name=":1" />

Truthfulness is a commitment to reporting only accurate and truthful information, without skewing any facts or details to improve the story or better align an issue with any certain agenda.<ref name=":1" /> Neutrality suggests that stories be reported in an unbiased, even-handed, and impartial manner. Under this notion, journalists are to side with none of the parties involved, and simply provide the relevant facts and information of all.<ref name=":1" /> The third idea, detachment, refers to the emotional approach of the journalist. Essentially, reporters should not only approach issues in an unbiased manner but also with a dispassionate and emotionless attitude. Through this strategy, stories can be presented in a rational and calm manner, letting the audience make up their minds without any influences from the media.<ref name=":1" />