Smith Chapter 3

Question 1

what are the two commitments americans expect from their news media

Answer 1

truth telling

fair balanced objective reporting

Question 2

what are the four basic tenets of the embrace of empiricism and science

Answer 2

way to understand the world is to observe it closely and to classify and analyze what is seen

2. facts and opinions are separate things, facts are basis of truth
3. people can objectively obtain facts
4. scientific developments are making the world a better place

Question 3

what did the hutchin’s commission argue ?

Answer 3

argued the duty of the press is to provide a truthful, comprehensive, and intelligent account of the days events in a context that gives them meaning
report truth about fact

Question 4

explain the question can balance produce lazy journalism

Answer 4

may not help society get at the truth of complex issues

may settle for easy to do balanced stories

Question 5

what are the problems with determining balance

Answer 5

nobody agrees on what balance means

• try to count minutes and stories - however doesnt work always
• try to do it by favorable and unfavorable but defining these terms is difficult
• if they determine one had more bad press than the other the cause of discrepancy may not be bias

Question 6

what are the arguments for less commitment to objectivity

Answer 6

news media might attarct more viewers

• interest in politics and and voter turnouts are higher in US before era of objective journalism
• wonders if much of criticism of news media would disappear if less likely to hide behind objectivity than flag their resources