AGAINST THE OBJECTIVITY THE JOURNALISTIC NEUTRALITY MYTH AND THE ALTERNATIVES TO RETHOUGHT IT

Objectivity is at the core of professional journalism. Both as ethic goal and as practice, neutrality and distance from the facts keep playing a key role in the self representations of journalists. However, the way in which mass media function and the growing complexity of the issues journalism deals with deny the possibility of objectivity. Neutrality has been contested as impossible but also as negative as regards the public interest. Asserting objectivity has developed into a defensive ritual that hides the construction of reality journalism implies and the institutional, social and professional placement of journalists covering any issue. The article describes this debate and the alternatives that have been put forward to replace objectivity as value and as practice, arguing that making journalists' presence evident improves the quality of their work and faces them with deeper dilemmas.