Dear News Sources: Just Tell Me The Facts
Start writing a post
Student Life

Dear News Sources: Just Tell Me The Facts

Journalism has become too much of a gossip magazine.

6
Dear News Sources: Just Tell Me The Facts

I never really cared for journalism until I came to college. I started writing for my school's newspaper, and I really loved it. I was able to give voices to people and tell stories that otherwise would not have been told. I went to interesting events and met some amazing people along the way.

I thought I had found what I wanted to do with my life. I was going to be a reporter. I knew that the newspaper industry was dying, but online journalism was big, and I could settle for that. I threw myself fully into the school's paper and furiously applied for journalism internships, even landing one with the paper in my school's town.

My school's paper has certain style rules that help ensure we stay objective. I'm sure there are ways to skew things one way or the other, but these rules make it hard. We can't editorialize at all. We can only say "[Person] said" because any other word might be editorializing the way in which this person said their quote, and it could change the meaning of the quote. Even when we are paraphrasing, we can't deviate from what the person said or add anything to describe the person. It doesn't make for the prettiest writing, but people can't just spin certain stories to adhere with their views and beliefs.

Over the years, and especially during this last election season, I've seen the decline of journalism. There are instances of such poor reporting or such blatant editorializing that I can't believe people ever saw it and thought, "Yes! This. This is what we NEED to print."

I expect this from the biased news sources, but now, even the supposedly "objective" news sources have started doing it. Sometimes, it's just a small detail that shapes how the person reads it. Even when the detail isn't a big deal and is actually true, it does slip into editorializing and compromises the objectivity of the reporter and the news source.

Honestly, most news sources have become nothing better than tabloids and gossip magazines. Instead of telling me the facts, these sources want to add their opinions, or even stray from the important information and tell me about the people themselves.

Guess what? I don't care what Melania Trump looked like at any event. I don't care about most things being reported anymore.

News needs to be just that: news. Tell me the facts. Tell me what happened. I don't need the fluff. Let me form my own opinions.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

75877
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

47294
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

977742
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments