The importance of acknowledging bias in the journalism field

Distrust towards journalists has become a new norm for many in the United States. Accusations of journalists being "bought out" are rampant online, and it's become commonplace to associate specific news organizations with certain political parties. As a result, it is more crucial than ever for journalists to be transparent when writing stories for these reasons.

Journalists must take the time to reflect on their own biases before publishing or even writing a story. They need to think about possible conflicts of interest within their private lives and within the lives of those, they get information from. If the journalist's opinions heavily influence a piece, it should be clearly labeled. 

Great Lakes Echo published an article by David Poulson about biases within the environmental journalism community. The issue discussed was that we want clean air, clean water, and a non-toxic environment to live in because, as humans, we are all inherently biased in favor of the environment. Though that bias seems relatively insignificant, it still has the potential to blind journalists when they write about more nuanced topics. Poulson explains that acknowledging a bias that favors such basic human desires can help journalists see nuances and create a better, more honest story.

Everyone has biases and conflicts of interest, and that's okay, so long as they are acknowledged and considered before a story is written. However, most bias checking must come from journalists rather than higher-ups, as they aren't always acting with integrity. For example, when money gets involved, news organizations may allow themselves to become less rigid in their enforcement of ethical codes.

ESPN logo, from ESPN.com.

ESPN acts as a critical example to news organizations that struggle with conflicts of interest. Because ESPN's primary revenue comes from what it covers, covering sports becomes a conflict of interest in itself. ESPN has access to a lot of reoccurring sponsors who buy ad space. The company may be more likely to turn a blind eye to something illegal that one of their main sponsors is doing because they profit from them. Of course, any news organization can take bribes in exchange for a story to be published or swept under the rug. However, ESPN is so prominent and influential that it presents a more significant threat to the journalism industry.

Journalists must be careful when working for news organizations like ESPN. They need to remember their ethical codes and not be swayed by bribes. Ethics are the essential tools a journalist has, and they are the key to maintaining public trust.