I don’t think holding the view that objective journalism is a myth is necessarily any better.
KENT, UK: Omar Bilal Akhtar’s article “The myth of objective journalism” (October 6) is well-written. Objectivity is an idea which has little traction not only in journalism but also in epistemology, science and philosophy. In recent years it has become fashionable to argue against objectivity in an atmosphere laden with post-modernism.
Interestingly, however, I don’t think holding the view that objective journalism is a myth is necessarily any better. A danger is that this fizzles into a meaningless, morally relativistic discussion. If objectivity cannot be achieved why bother with convictions? Liberal philosophers and thinkers become increasingly uncomfortable with this notion and in the end it fizzles into a form of relativism.
A problem for some western journalists (particularly on the liberal Left) is they avoid passing moral judgement on some social practices in the developing world altogether. ‘How can we subject the moral practices of another culture by using our own culture as a yardstick?’ has become an attractive and popular argument. By accepting that there is no objectivity instead of being more opinionated, there is a danger that people will become jaded and cynical.
Ahmad Ali
Published in The Express Tribune October 8th, 2010.
