Hi ASC-ers

An interesting piece by Jonathan Holmes on the ABC’s Drum.

He’s talking about the tendency of reporters to avoid objective analysis of issue. Instead they simply report on the stances taken by both sides in a conflict.

It’s easy, undemanding and keeps them out of trouble.

“But supposing that one side in a dispute – any dispute – could be, with a bit of digging, shown to be objectively wrong, and the other right? Suppose one side is making claims that can be shown, without departing from the most rigorous standards of objective journalism, to be grossly exaggerated? Suppose, for that matter, that both sides are? Isn’t it the ‘objective’ journalist’s job to tell us so?”

Holmes is talking about the mining tax debate, but it’s just as relevant for science issues.

It’s at:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/17/2929131.htm?site=thedrum

Cheers

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