Does objectivity in the news media exist? In The Invention of Journalism Ethics Stephen Ward argues that, given the current emphasis on interpretation, analysis, and perspective, journalists and the public need a new theory of objectivity. He explores the varied ethical assertions of journalists over the past few centuries, focusing on the changing relationship between journalist and audience. This historical analysis leads to an innovative theory of pragmatic objectivity that enables journalists and the public to recognize and avoid biased and unbalanced reporting. Ward convincingly demonstrates that journalistic objectivity is not a set of absolute standards but the same fallible but reasonable objectivity used for making decisions in other professions and public institutions.
Review quotes
'"A tour de force, tightly written, rich and compact, and apportioned precisely. This book will establish itself as the authoritative work on objectivity and journalism, a classic I would predict by which the field will be measured henceforth. There is no other analysis as well-crafted literarily, as comprehensive and carefully argued. Ward does first-rate philosophical work - making crucial distinctions, establishing the logic and rationale of alternative positions while critiquing them, and, most notable, developing the concept of pragmatic objectivity to move the field forward. Of the countless books in this area I have read over the years, this may be the very best of them all." Clifford G. Christians, Research Professor of Communications, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
“This energetic, lucidly written account of the origins and future of objective journalistic ethics is a gem”
J. Gough, Red Deer College
Stephen J.A. Ward is associate professor of journalism ethics, University of British Columbia, and a former Canadian Press foreign correspondent for Europe and the Middle East.
