Unbiased Journalism - Sonam Gupta Bewafa Hai

I was taught that professional journalism means you have to state the facts in your story and absolutely remain "Unbiased", not present an opinion. It's debatable whether the journalists of today are adhering to the golden rule or not. However, when it comes to me I am having a hard time processing this. I am ethical so I will follow the rule and I mostly have even on my youtube videos. Perhaps, that's why they are not a hit. Yet, the people who need to be the most careful, aren't.

A Ripe Banana

Let's try to understand "Unbiased" Journalism. If I walk into my kitchen and see an over-ripe or rotten banana, this is how I should be reporting it. First, I need to get a scientist to run some tests on it and confirm whether its over-ripe or rotten. Second, I need to get another scientist to do the same thing, because when proven by 2 sources, your story is truly factual and not cooked up. Later, in my story, I need to explain the process of ripening and the process of an over ripe banana turning into a rotten one. Then I have to explain the conditions of my kitchen which are responsible in leading a perfectly fine banana into the state it is in right now. All done, I need to get my story solid by also providing the various ways to consume or get rid of the banana based on the scenario. When this story is entirely ready, I need to get it fact checked, edited and presented for publication. Voila, that's unbiased, factual reporting of a banana that turned from green-to-black.

A Rotten Banana

Now, if I weren't a journalist, I'd just say "My banana is ruined" and get rid of it. You may be thinking that I am making a joke but I am not. Try to understand. Every Journalist has a responsibility. A responsibility to bring the truth to the viewer. When we see journalists spewing opinions, we begin attaching ourselves to their sentiments, which could be harmful in a long run. I have said this countless times, "Strong Opinions drive me nuts", that is also an opinion which as a journalist I should not be sharing in a story. I am a simple man, I like to believe that there is goodness in everything. Opinions ruin my positivity. I believe there are millions like me, for whom the opinionated news tend to drive their thinking. Hence it is important to get your facts right before reporting. It is necessary to know whether the banana is too ripe or actually rotten. An over ripe banana can still be eaten, a rotten cannot.

Journalism is a serious business. While people are out there making a mockery of it, I am pledging myself to adhere to un-opinionated reporting as much as I can. That means, I can't say "Sonam Gupta Bewafa Hai", I can say "Images of new notes surface with a scribbling Sonam Gupta Bewafa Hai". I am pushing this Sonam Gupta phrase way too much.

That was a lesson for you folks, my beloved readers. The moral of the story is, since many journalists have blurred the lines here and there, you need to be vigilant about what you take away from a story. Be sure you are not leaning towards an opinion unless you are absolutely sure. That way, we will have a nice little country with world's largest population at peace. Now, was that a fact?

Cover Pic: Mensxp