This week in Mass Media & Politics, we focused on truth in reporting, gonzo journalism, manufactured consent and he said she said journalism. I'm no longer a Christian, but having grown up in an evangelical home, I've heard many times that, "the truth shall set you free!" So I'm posting a thank you today to Ms. Rachel Maddow for giving me my own set of rainbow colored truth wings and why that is so important.
Did you know that journalists have a code of ethics they are supposed to follow? I didn't. It covers everything from verifying the reliability of your sources, to giving a voice to the voiceless, as well as avoiding stereotyping by race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, etc. Its five main goals are to:
1. Seek truth and report it.
2. Minimize harm.
3. Act independently
4. Be Accountable.
By my accounting, Ms. Maddow has certainly followed these guidelines while employed by MSNBC.
Another example of her journalistic integrity is that she refuses to fall back into the fake refuge of allowing he said she said arguments during her programming segments. Two opposing viewpoints may be expressed during her program and she does allow them equal time. However, she will call bulls*%t on a guest and present them with the facts when the situation calls for it. In this way, she lets her viewers know the facts, not just the spin from a guest, and doesn't leave her viewers having to guess at the truth. This is yet another reason why she is my favorite television journalist. I wish more journalists followed her lead.
So kudos to you, Ms. Maddow. Keep shining on.
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