A newspaper is not comprised only of reports; it also includes opinion pages and gossip columns. On the opinion pages, writers are allowed (by the editor) to develop their own style and are an expression of the views and opinions of that writer. Fact checking and accountability is not as important here, although the reader must be made aware that this is opinion and not fact. Opinion pages often air controversial viewpoints of current news stories, hopefully encouraging reaction from readers, indeed a columnists success can be measured by the number of letters they receive (Hogson, 1994). Gossip columnists operate in a similar way, but focus on the famous and infamous current in the news and are generally found in tabloid newspapers, rather than broadsheets.
Additionally there are often lifestyle columns, offering help, advice and up to date information on a variety of issues, including diet, health and fitness, decorating and home improvement ideas. Most newspapers include financial and business news in a separate section of the paper, not always on a daily basis. Sport is reported on daily and usually fills the back pages, although national games often appear on their front pages and many a tabloid features sporting scandals on its cover.
In a recent article in The Observer, columnist Peter Preston comments on reports that newspaper circulation is in decline and the public is now using other sources to receive news. He argues however, using quotes from Carolyn McCall, the chief executive of The Guardian group that it is the tabloids, such as The Mirror, The People and The News of the World who are losing their readership. He claims that quality newspapers including the observer, The Telegraph and The Times have barely had a shift in circulation figures in the last thirty years. I would suggest that these figures could perhaps reflect the sometimes-huge mistakes that these papers have made in their reporting. As mentioned by Stuart Allen (2005), who begins his book with the story of The Mirror's mistake in printing pictures of Iraqi prisoners of war, which were later proven to be fakes. He claims that if proper sourcing were undertaken, the paper would have uncovered the hoax before publishing. Stories like this one undermine society’s faith in the journalist.
Therefore, Tony Harcup's (2007) suggestion that the most important role of a journalist is to report the truth, could be fundamental to the future of newsprint. Harcup starts his explanation with a reference to a story from a 1963 American newspaper, which was the inspiration for a song by Bob Dylan. Harcup tells the story of Hattie Carroll, a black waitress, who was murdered by wealthy white farmer, William Zantzinger. He explains that the story started locally, but became national news when Zantzinger received only a six month prison sentence; which was also deferred to allow him time to farm his crops.
Harcup explains that Dylan wrote the song The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll, with the claim that it was a true story. Dylan, like a lot of journalists, found he accused of manipulating the truth. However, unlike a journalist, Harcup writes that as a singer, Dylan was granted artistic licence:
When a singer says that a song is true, their words are taken as meaning that the song is based on a true story, that the facts are broadly as indicated in the lyrics, and/or that the song is true to the emotion or spirit of real events. (Harcup, 2007, p.2)
A journalist though, Harcup continues is not an artist, when he is claiming to tell the truth, it must be absolute "That's why the very first clause of the international journalists' code...declares: "Respect for truth and the right of the public to the truth is the first duty of the journalist". (Harcup, 2007, p.2)
As aforementioned, the code of conduct that journalists follow is adhered to by consensus only. Many writers and journalists argue that it is important, if Britain is to remain a democratic society, to have a free press. (Allan, 2005) Comparisons are often made with the tyrannical regimes of other countries, where the press are under the strict control of their governments e.g. Cuba and North Korea. In those countries, journalists face prison and sometimes death if they report anything negative about the ruling powers. Consequently, there is no freedom of expression, allowing those in charge to go largely unchallenged. (Pilger, 1999)
Newspapers accounts therefore should be an impeachable source of news. A report however, does not have to remain impartial and will generally encompass the political leanings of whichever paper it appears in. (Harris & Spark 1994) Fairness and accuracy though, should be uncontested, both sides of an argument should be presented to the reader and a right to reply granted to those who are written about. Additionally, there should be "... a clear distinction between comment and conjecture and fact." (Harris & Spark 1994, p.227)
Tony Harcup, (2004) recognises the difficulties reporters face when witnessing news events, that: "...they may be carrying all sorts of personal or cultural baggage that can impact as what they see as 'true' and what they recognise as 'the facts'." ( Harcup, 2004, p.62). It can be argued then, that a journalist must be objective and forget whatever personal prejudices or preconceived ideas they may have. Events must be reported on without bias(Harcup, 2004), scrupulous note taking is also necessary for later referral, not only helping when writing a report hours, days or weeks later. Meticulous note taking will also aid a journalist, should his account be contested.
In conclusion, a reporter should be a beacon of the truth. Opinion is welcome, perhaps even necessary, for society to evolve. Debate is healthy and without it we could be at risk of a totalitarian Government sneaking in to power. Opinion has to be stated as just that. When writing a news account, the writing should not be coloured by personal feelings, a journalist must write facts as they happen, not as they 'see them'. A reader should be able to pick up any news account and trust that the information it contains, is factual and not manipulated in any way. If too many journalists bend the truth, or fail to check the facts of a story inside out, then mistrust could spread through society like a cancer. This may possibly, leave press' future hanging in the balance and with it everyone's freedom of expression.
Bibliography
Allan, S. (2005) Journalism: Critical Issues, Maidenhead: Open University press.
Belsley, A. Chadwick, R. (2006) Ethical issues in Journalism and the Media, Chesham: Ponting-Green Publishing Services.
Flemming, C. Hemmingway, E. Moore, G. Welford, D. (2006) An Introduction to journalism, London: Sage publications. Harcup, T. (2004) Journalism Principles and Practice, London: Sage publications.
Harcup, T. (2007), The Ethical Journalist, London: Sage publications.
Harris, G. Spark, D. (1994) Practical Newspaper Reporting, 2nd ed. Oxford: Focal press. Hogson, F, W. (1994) Modern Newspaper Practice, 3rd ed. Oxford: Focal Press.
Pilger, J. (1999), Hidden Agendas, London: Vintage.
Spark, D. (1996) A Journalists Guide to Sources, Oxford: Focal Press.
Preston, P. (2007) "Don't write an obituary for the papers yet", The Observer Business & Media, 4th October, p13.
BBC News (2007) Audience Council England Executive summary [online]. http://www.bbc.co.uk/foi/docs/bbc_trust/trust_docs/English_National_Forum_En d_of_Charter_Report_2006.htm, (Accessed on 13th November 2007).
