Unbiased journalism is not pretending both sides are equally valid. Unbiased journalism is reporting the facts even if those facts include that one side is irredeemably awful. False neutrality is propaganda.
Repeated for emphasis: False neutrality is propaganda.
if 99 experts say one thing, and 1 expert says another, presenting both sides as equal is misinformation
Years ago I went to a lecture by a science journalist, who talked about why so much science reporting is terrible, and this was the crux of his argument. Science reporters aren’t scientists, so they try to be “unbiased” and end up validating bad science in the interest of “giving both sides of the story.”
But this is no longer just a problem for science journalists. When the media doesn’t take a stand on what is factual, or at least supported by evidence, it contributes to its own implosion and the destruction of critical thought and democracy. I am not even joking here. False “let’s heard from both sides” neutrality contributes to the idea that there are no facts, only different kinds of spin.
Ant!s: If you’re a woman or straight and you like slash fanfic it means you’re fetishizing gay men and are therefore homophobic.
Fandom: …So you’re saying we should only read and enjoy straight fic?
Ant!s: NO OMG if you only like straight pairings it PROVES that you must be subconsciously homophobic what is wrong with you??
Fandom: …Apparently everything, no matter what we do.
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