News Media Challenge

Medium; plural media; something in the middle.

   The responsibility of journalism is to report, explain and interpret, yet remain neutral. By its nature, this is a challenge, and the term "media" as applied to news outlets, is well chosen, because journalists are in the middle of the information process. Reporters gather information and pass it on to the general public through print and broadcast news outlets.
   In the process, reporters and editors rely heavily on the classic Five Ws of journalism: Who, what, where, when and why, plus how. This technique applies to virtually any story or message, whether hard news, feature stories, or political reports. Moreover, an astute candidate will be aware of this process and use it to help spread his or her message to potential voters, using the news media to help do that.
   Clearly, however, some candidates are more astute than others. Some utilize the 5 Ws to assist them in spreading their announcements and policies to voters, while others use the same tactics to obscure their goals and hope reporters don't see the consequences of what the candidates propose.
   Here again is the challenge. Journalists are expected to remain neutral even as they report and explain what the candidate says and does. Sometimes, that responsibility includes interpreting the consequences of the political message, often by contacting experts in the topic as well as opponents.
   The downside is that candidates often see this act of asking tough or even reasonable questions about the proposed policies, and seeking contrary opinions, as being hostile to the candidate.
   As a result, the candidate then protests that the reporter or debate moderator is unfair and/or biased. This happens especially when a neutral and balanced story depicts negative things about what the candidate says and does.
   Note to candidates: Most reporters don't care. The do care about getting a good story. They record and report what you say and do, as they exercise their journalistic responsibility to inform the public of what you say and do, as well as reporting opposing views and the potential consequences of what you say and do.
   Does that mean they are biased? No. That means they're doing their jobs. To pout that reporters are biased and unfair is the mark of a loser.
   Realistically, however, some reporters are indeed biased and opinionated, and they work for partisan media outlets. All the more important, then, that politicians know the difference, and not condemn all journalists for the faults of a few.