Fact and Fiction

Roy Peter Clark's essay "The Line between Fact and Fiction" addresses objectivity in journalism, a subject I've discussed before. He notes that while being objective is what people expect a journalist to be, subjectivity is inevitable. "The best journalists can do is to offer multiple frames through which events and issues can be seen." Clark says there are basic principles and guidlines, however. He provides three -- "Do not add, do not deceive, and be unobtrusive." These are important and simple guidelines, but Clark also talks about the modern media moving towards "infotainment." Reporting the truth to the best of a reporter's knowledge does not mean that they will wisely choose their content. We see more and more screaming headlines and scandal stories in the media today, none of which necessarily have misleading information. Clark also may have provided his opinion on appropriate and newsworthy content in his essay.