Folks,
I refer to the commentary by Nuri Vittachi, a prolific writer whom I greatly admire, on his latest piece entitled "Why it’s sometimes wrong to write balanced news reports", which was carried by The Malaysian Insider here.
This is my personal opinion.
First of all, the publication should be biased. Yes, you read that right. Biased. What I mean by biased is that the publication need to take a stand on a particular issue -- either you are for or against. For example, in the recent issue of Israel assaulting the Palestinians, a particular newspaper must take their stand.
Now, in taking a stand, the publication must also allow and give equal space to the proponent of their agenda to ensure that the issue will be balanced. What I am trying to say is that you must be biased first, then balanced next. Once your stand is made known to the public, whether directly or indirectly, then you can balance it with another perspective and views.
It must be remembered that there will always be detractors whenever there are proponents. If you are for a particular issue, there will always be someone who will be against it. It is normal. Being biased will ultimately result in being balanced.
But don't be blindly biased -- that is taking a stand on the issue but at the same time ignorant on alternative views. There will always be opposing views, and you must absorb these views accordingly in order to balance your views.
Second, the fact must be accurate. Yes, people do make mistakes and screw-up, but then again, the facts must be thoroughly checked.
Once the facts have been thoroughly verified, then only the news can be published. If the facts are not checked and the news hastily published, we will get the following news, as aptly and rightly pointed by Mr Vittachi:
Third and last, the writer (I remind myself first on this issue) must be careful in his or her writing. According to Mr Vittachi, "But the main point is that reporters these days have to be very careful..."
If you are not careful, biased and balanced, then you will most likely screw-up big time.
And this, I remind myself first.
I refer to the commentary by Nuri Vittachi, a prolific writer whom I greatly admire, on his latest piece entitled "Why it’s sometimes wrong to write balanced news reports", which was carried by The Malaysian Insider here.
This is my personal opinion.
First of all, the publication should be biased. Yes, you read that right. Biased. What I mean by biased is that the publication need to take a stand on a particular issue -- either you are for or against. For example, in the recent issue of Israel assaulting the Palestinians, a particular newspaper must take their stand.
Now, in taking a stand, the publication must also allow and give equal space to the proponent of their agenda to ensure that the issue will be balanced. What I am trying to say is that you must be biased first, then balanced next. Once your stand is made known to the public, whether directly or indirectly, then you can balance it with another perspective and views.
It must be remembered that there will always be detractors whenever there are proponents. If you are for a particular issue, there will always be someone who will be against it. It is normal. Being biased will ultimately result in being balanced.
But don't be blindly biased -- that is taking a stand on the issue but at the same time ignorant on alternative views. There will always be opposing views, and you must absorb these views accordingly in order to balance your views.
Second, the fact must be accurate. Yes, people do make mistakes and screw-up, but then again, the facts must be thoroughly checked.
Once the facts have been thoroughly verified, then only the news can be published. If the facts are not checked and the news hastily published, we will get the following news, as aptly and rightly pointed by Mr Vittachi:
"It will allegedly be cloudy with an alleged chance of rain, according to the alleged weather forecast released by our alleged government"It is very mouthful, isn't it? The writer trying to be cautious at all times by unnecessarily using the words "allegedly" in most instances.
Third and last, the writer (I remind myself first on this issue) must be careful in his or her writing. According to Mr Vittachi, "But the main point is that reporters these days have to be very careful..."
If you are not careful, biased and balanced, then you will most likely screw-up big time.
And this, I remind myself first.
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