WHY I AM OPENLY SUPPORTING LABOUR AT #GE2019:
As a journalist I often get told I shouldn’t make my political opinion public. “Journalists should be impartial”, they say. To have a political opinion is, they think, an obstacle to my objectivity. This is why they’re wrong:
As a journalist I often get told I shouldn’t make my political opinion public. “Journalists should be impartial”, they say. To have a political opinion is, they think, an obstacle to my objectivity. This is why they’re wrong:
Journalism is - or should be - a public service. You are responsible for informing your fellow citizens and society at large.
That means you must tell the FACTS, not that you should silence your opinion, or indeed offer a counterpoint to every voice you broadcast.
That means you must tell the FACTS, not that you should silence your opinion, or indeed offer a counterpoint to every voice you broadcast.
You should question info offered by obscure sources, not debate matters where majority of authorities support the data at hand
DO: Question claims made w/o evidence or where there’s plenty of proof to contrary
DON’T: Question something supported by 99% of scientific community
DO: Question claims made w/o evidence or where there’s plenty of proof to contrary
DON’T: Question something supported by 99% of scientific community
When the FACTS are on the table you can now add PRINCIPLES.
But there is still a difference between the two and the idea of “impartiality” tends to conflict them:
But there is still a difference between the two and the idea of “impartiality” tends to conflict them:
Example of stating a FACT:
When @BBCNaga noted that President Trump made racist comments.
Example of stating a PRINCIPLE:
When a Lebanese journalist recently prevented the arrest of a demonstrator live on air after having witness his “crime” being distributing bread
When @BBCNaga noted that President Trump made racist comments.
Example of stating a PRINCIPLE:
When a Lebanese journalist recently prevented the arrest of a demonstrator live on air after having witness his “crime” being distributing bread
I believe that having a Labour government w @jeremycorbyn as Prime Minister will mean that I can do my job better, in a media industry that will be more democratic, diverse and with better/stricter checks & balances
While also giving its workers better living & working conditions
While also giving its workers better living & working conditions
I believe this because of the radical policies defended by @UKLabour and its members
I believe this because 10 years of Conservative government have seen us all - including thousands of journalists -worse off, and our industry and its multiplicity slashed left, right and centre
I believe this because 10 years of Conservative government have seen us all - including thousands of journalists -worse off, and our industry and its multiplicity slashed left, right and centre
I’m happy to be judged on my record. I’m happy to be shown when my principles have hinged facts (if they ever did). But I won’t pretend I don’t have a political opinion or that I’m “impartial” to the horrors that neoliberal politics have waged on my fellow wo/man
So..VOTE LABOUR!
So..VOTE LABOUR!
