OBJECTIVE REPORTING
AND UNIONISM IN A
DIGITAL ERA

INTRODUCTION

We are living through a period of profound and rapid technological change. We take for granted
instant access to information and content in a way that was inconceivable 30 years ago. Digital
technologies are driving changes in every aspect of our daily lives – from the way we shop to how we
pay bills or keep in touch with friends and families.
★ Objectivity in reporting is meant to portray issues and events in a neutral and unbiased manner,
regardless of the writer’s opinion or personal beliefs.
★ the concept of objectivity in reporting/journalism first occurred, since editors realized
that while taking sides would shrink their potential market of readers, being
objective would bring them much more audience because there is little bias in their
news.

OBJECTIVITY IN REPORTING

• CONCEPT & AIM

• HISTORY OF
  OBJECTIVITY

• TECHNIQUES
  AND
  PRACTICES

• FACTORS THAT
  HINDER THE
  PRACTICE OF
  OBJECTIVITY

• RECOMMENDATION
  /MODERN DAY
  SITUATION

HISTORY OF OBJECTIVITY

This technological revolution is changing the way we work.
❏ As the digital revolution marches on, it becomes growingly harder for people to read news from newspapers.
❏ Globally we are witnessing a decline in legacy or traditional media and a growth in a wide range of digital
media – Digitized content (text, graphics, audio, and video) that can be transmitted over internet or computer
networks – from small digital-only publishers, tv and radio networks to the online operations of major multimedia
companies both national and global operators.

Survey found that many people under 30 do not read news on newspapers or TV
For example a study found that 80% of individuals do not read newspaper daily wile 70% of older generation
in the USA
This phenomena happens all over the world. It doesn’t mean that they prefer other consumption patterns
● People worry that young people are no longer interested in public affairs and take it as the decline in a healthy
democracy others argue that young people are still interested in news, but they would like to read the news
that is more relevant to their lives.
● It was found that the conventional newspaper is boring. They do not like to get news from Traditional media
instead recent research found that they like to learn the current news story from social network sites such as facebook, myspace, twitter, etc.

CONCEPT & AIM

Objectivity is the golden rule of professionalism, when young people can get news via social media,
they inevitably get access to opinionated comments rather than objective reports alone.
❏ A recent study found that young people prefer opinionated reports rather than new stories. It is
therefore important to foster a critical mind for young people so that they can know how to make
judgement on the news story.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Media professionals in the academia and media houses should ensure that the issue of news objectivity is properly taught at the
formative stage of mostjournalists,so thatthey won’t departfromitwhen they start practicing and postingmaterials online.
● Skill development programs such as training need to be developed to attract young journalists to unions; to provide organized
journalists with new skillsin digitalstorytelling, data journalism, mobile journalism, multimedia and infographics.
● Journalists on their own part can make it a point of duty to make sure that news materials sent for publication are devoid of their
personal opinions. This would help set the pace for most citizen journalists who are not trained professionals to learn the act of news
writing by reading onlinenewsstories oftrained professionals.
● Journalists unions need to adaptto the digital ecosystemand review theirmembership criteriato organize digital mediaworkers.
● Journalists unions need to integrate digital platformsinto theirorganizing and campaigning, forstronger and effective advocacy.

CONCLUSION

To salvage the Journalism Profession, it is imperative for the
concept of objectivity in reporting to be recommended as this
is an ethical aspect in journalism practice.
● This has helped to isolate individual bias and opinions from the
actual state of events.

By Emeka Ejide,
Director of My Child, My Care Development Initiative,  a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), dealing with child protection. 

Google his name
Thanks