Look, I’m Biased. Deal With It.
Let’s get one thing straight—I’m not objective. Never have been, never will be. I’m a journalist, sure, but I’m also a human being with opinions, experiences, and yes, biases. I’ve been at this for over 20 years, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that pretending otherwise is just plain silly.
I remember back in 1998, when I was a wet-behind-the-ears reporter at the Austin Chronicle. My editor, let’s call him Marcus, sat me down and said, “Listen, kid, you can’t let your personal feelings cloud your judgment.” And I nodded along like a good little intern. But here’s the thing—I think he was wrong.
You see, bias isn’t the enemy. Ignoring it is.
That Time I Almost Got Fired
About three months ago, I wrote a piece on gun control. I’ve got a brother who’s a hunter, a sister who’s a gun control advocate, and a mom who just wants everyone to get along. So, I’m right in the middle, you know? But when I sat down to write, I realized I was leaning a certain way. And I owned it. I said, “Look, here’s my take, and here’s why.” My editor, a colleague named Dave, pulled me into his office and said, “You can’t do that.” I said, “Watch me.” And you know what? The piece got more engagement than anything I’d written in months.
People don’t want neutrality. They want honesty.
The Illusion of Objectivity
We’re told that good journalism is all about being fair and balanced. But let’s be real—fair and balanced is just another way of saying “we don’t want to ruffle any feathers.” And honestly, who cares about that? Not me. Not anymore.
I was at a conference in Austin last Tuesday, and I heard a panelist say, “The best journalists are the ones who can present both sides equally.” I raised my hand and said, “That’s a load of crap.” The room got real quiet. But here’s the thing—I believe it. You can’t present both sides equally when one side is clearly full of it.
Take climate change, for example. There are people out there who still think it’s a hoax. But 97% of scientists agree that it’s real. So why should I give equal time to the 3%? I won’t. I’m not going to pretend that both sides are equally valid when they’re not.
Embracing the Mess
So, what’s the alternative? Embracing the mess, that’s what. Acknowledging that yes, I have biases, and yes, they influence my work. But I’m also committed to doing my homework, checking my facts, and being transparent about where I’m coming from.
I had coffee with a friend last week, and she said, “But won’t people just dismiss you as a hack if you’re upfront about your biases?” And I said, “Maybe. But at least they’ll know where I’m coming from.” And honestly, that’s more important to me than being liked.
And look, I’m not saying you should believe everything I write. I’m just saying that I’m gonna be honest with you about where I’m coming from. And if that’s not good enough for some people, well, that’s their problem.
But What About the Facts?
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “But what about the facts? Shouldn’t they speak for themselves?” And sure, in a perfect world, they would. But we don’t live in a perfect world. We live in a world where people cherry-pick data to fit their narratives. So, I’m gonna do my best to present the facts as I see them, and if that means acknowledging that my perspective is influenced by my experiences, well, so be it.
I was talking to a source the other day, and he said, “You know, I’ve noticed that you always seem to find the angle that supports your viewpoint.” And I said, “Yeah, probably. But I also make sure that my viewpoint is based on solid research and a committment to the truth.” And he said, “Fair enough.” Which… yeah. Fair enough.
The Power of ‘I Think’
So, here’s my proposal. Let’s all just admit that we have biases. Let’s say “I think” instead of “The facts show.” Let’s be honest about where we’re coming from. And maybe, just maybe, we can start having real conversations again.
I’m not saying it’s gonna be easy. I’m not saying it’s gonna be pretty. But it’s gonna be real. And in a world full of fake news and alternative facts, real is a damn good place to start.
And look, I’m not saying I’ve got all the answers. I’m just saying that I’m done pretending I don’t have any questions. I’m done pretending that I’m objective. I’m done pretending that my biases don’t exist.
So, there you have it. My messy, biased, completely imperfect take on news bias. And if you don’t like it, well, that’s your prerogative. But at least you know where I’m coming from.
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I was at a barbecue last weekend, and my uncle started talking about politics. And I said, “Uncle Bob, I love you, but I’m not gonna debate this with you. I’ve got my views, you’ve got yours, and we’re not gonna agree.” And he said, “Fine, but at least admit that you’re biased.” And I said, “Done.” And we moved on to the brisket. Progress, people.
So, let’s make a deal. Let’s all just admit that we’re biased. Let’s be honest about it. Let’s say “I think” instead of “The facts show.” And maybe, just maybe, we can start having real conversations again.
I’m not holding my breath, but it’s worth a shot.
About the Author: Sarah Jenkins has been a journalist for over 20 years, working for major publications and covering everything from politics to pop culture. She’s opinionated, she’s biased, and she’s not afraid to admit it. When she’s not writing, she can be found arguing about the Oxford comma or trying to convince her cat that she’s the one in charge.
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