From Glenn Beck to Keith Olbermann, from Rachel Maddow to Fox News there has been intense focus and debate on the spin of broadcast journalism. Some argue that journalists should admit their biases and not pretend to be impartial. Others insist that they should aspire to the traditional standard, as outlined by The New York Times' Editor Bill Keller: "Impartiality is not just a matter of pretending to be neutral; it is a healthful, intellectual discipline." Even if the goal of objectivity is not entirely attainable, should media outlets strive to achieve the standard of objective journalism or do away with the pretense all together and advocate for a point of view?
Guests:
Eric Alterman, Distinguished Professor of English, Brooklyn College, City University of New York, a Professor of Journalism at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism and a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress.
Geneva Overholser, Director of the Annenberg School of Journalism at the University of Southern California