The concept of "objectivity" in U.S. journalism education has undergone a significant transformation since the 1970s, and in a more subjective direction, perhaps mirroring the more-subjective intellectual tendencies of post-modern thinking in general.
Here’s the problem: it has become harder to separate “what a thing is” from “what I say a thing is.” Subjectivism inevitably means there is no external, objective truth independent of individual or cultural perspective. And that is a major problem.
Subjectivism leads to the notion that there is “no such thing as truth.” Instead, there is only a linguistic and cultural creation: “my truth,” as the saying goes. But, by definition, one person’s “truth” (“what is true for me”) cannot be a universal truth shared by all or most other people.
Such “truth” is essentially “my opinion,” and while that is fine in many situations, it is destructive of broader culture and social cohesiveness. In a sense, it is the logical conclusion when all we focus on is “the individual” and not “society” or “the culture” or the “nation” or the “group.”
So here’s the problem: When the concept of shared, verifiable facts is undermined, it encourages the belief that all perspectives are equally valid. This makes reasoned compromise and a unified approach to problems virtually impossible, as each side operates from its own constructed, in-group reality or "narrative."
In a nutshell, the problem is that we then cannot commonly agree on “what a thing is,” but only upon what each of us says a thing is.
This shift toward subjectivism is one of the most defining and consequential trends of post-modern thought, a profound philosophical departure from the Enlightenment-era belief in objectivity, universal truth, and the capacity of reason and science to arrive at a single, verifiable reality. This arguably is most significant in the area of ethics and morality, since there are no “universal truths.”
Field | Modernist Stance (Objective) | Post-Modernist Stance (Subjective/Relative) |
Epistemology (Theory of Knowledge) | Knowledge is a process of objective discovery; certain knowledge is possible. | Knowledge is always mediated by individual or cultural context, making it subjective and relative. |
Ethics/Morality | Universal moral laws exist (e.g., natural rights, categorical imperatives). | Moral claims are expressions of individual or cultural attitudes (Ethical Subjectivism or Moral Relativism). |
History | History is a linear, factual record of events to be objectively uncovered. | History is a narrative or literary form, with no single, objective account; focus is on whose voices (perspectives) have been excluded. |
Art/Aesthetics | Art should strive for universal beauty or a coherent, original meaning. | Art is open to infinite, individual interpretation; the meaning resides in the subjective experience of the viewer, not the intention of the artist. |
Postmodernism generally views the concept of objective reality as a "social construct" or a product of language and power structures, leading to a focus on the subjective experience.
In journalism, we see a comparable shift from "neutrality" to "truth-seeking," "transparency," and "context," all of which is subjective.
Since the 1970s, journalism education has increasingly moved away from solely event-centered reporting ("just the facts") to providing analysis, explanation, and context ("what does it mean?"). That might sound like an improvement, but it necessarily is explicitly more subjective.
And since “absolute impartiality is impossible,” the focus shifts to journalists (in principle) being transparent about their sources, methods, and inherent biases. In principle, journalists are supposed to actively correct for biases. In practice, this often simply means imposing biases.
Aspect | Prior to 1970s (Traditional "Objectivity") | Post-1970s (Evolving Conceptions) |
Guiding Ideal | Detachment and Neutrality (Journalist as a dispassionate recorder) | Truth-Seeking, Context, and Transparency (Journalist as an active interpreter) |
Core Practice | "Both-Sides-Ism": Giving equal time and weight to all sides of a controversy. | Verification and Context: Prioritizing factual accuracy, evidence, and scientific consensus over false equivalence. |
Journalist's Role | Invisible, impersonal, non-judgmental conduit of "facts." | Self-aware, transparent, providing analysis and interpretation; may involve "moral clarity." |
Tone and Style | Simple, straight-laced "inverted pyramid" style; emphasis on the visible facts. | Interpretive, analytical, and narrative-driven; emphasis on the meaning and causes of events. |
Critique Addressed | Minimal focus on systemic bias or impact of reporting routines. | Addressing inherent biases, the reinforcement of the status quo, and the silencing effect of traditional neutrality on diverse voices. |
The problem is that without a firm commitment to the concept of shared truth, social cohesiveness becomes very hard, and perhaps impossible. Whether in the realm of philosophy, culture, economics or politics, subjectivism is a key problem.
We cannot fix problems we cannot agree exist. We also can create problems if we cannot agree on some shared understanding of the nature of reality.
In the "post-truth" era, feelings and personal beliefs seemingly matter more than facts.
