News Judgment and Bias

Gossip is what people want to know.
News is what they need to know.

   There is often a thin line between news and gossip. Information that is crucial to one person is irrelevant, useless or boring to another. So the question become this: Who decides which story goes into the newspaper, or on a news broadcast? Along with that, who decides how much space or time does it get, and where is it placed? Does it get 20 inches of type, beginning on the top of Page One? Or does it get two paragraphs on Page 17?
   Answer to all those questions: The editor. It's called news judgment, and a good editor knows the information preferences of readers, whether for a local weekly or a national daily.
   Does that mean editors and reporters are biased? Part of that depends on how one defines bias. A textbook for Journalism 101 will ask reporters how they would handle any given story. That is, what is the angle or slant of the opening paragraphs? (Anyone familiar with sewing and tailoring will recognize the term "cut on the bias," which means the angle of the cut.)
   At the same time, the word "bias" has acquired a negative connotation, in that it can mean prejudiced.
   Certain political candidates these days are fond of calling any journalist who poses a tough question "biased." And some go further, denigrating as incompetent, lousy, or otherwise a poor example of journalism, any newspaper that disagrees with their positions or has the temerity to endorse another candidate.
   Unless the news outlet prints or publishes a full, complete and accurate account of what is said or done, reporters and editors face accusations of "bias." But what constitutes full and complete? How much of any given news event or speech should be printed or broadcast? Does the story deserve two paragraphs on Page 17 or 20 paragraphs beginning on Page One? Not every word of every speech is worth repeating.
   Some insist that a story favorable to them should get a Page One banner headline, and anything negative or even remotely neutral should not appear at all.
   That's not news judgment. That's propaganda. Those who want propaganda can print their own leaflets, or pay for advertising space. That's called marketing.
  Otherwise, there's a wall between the news department and the advertising sales department.
   The only opinions reporters and editors should have are what constitutes a good story. And good stories don't always match a candidate's preferred message.