The Invention of Journalism Ethics, Second Edition

The Path to Objectivity and Beyond

Does objectivity exist in the news media? In The Invention of Journalism Ethics, Stephen Ward argues that given the current emphasis on interpretation, analysis, and perspective, journalists and the public need a new theory of objectivity. He explores the varied ethical assertions of journalists over the past few centuries, focusing on the changing relationship between journalist and audience. This historical analysis leads to an innovative theory of pragmatic objectivity that enables journalists and the public to recognize and avoid biased and unbalanced reporting. Ward convincingly demonstrates that journalistic objectivity is not a set of absolute standards but the same fallible but reasonable objectivity used for making decisions in other professions and public institutions. Considered a classic in the field since its first publication in 2004, this second edition includes new chapters that bring the book up to speed with journalism ethics in the twenty-first century by focusing on the growing dominance of online journalism and calling for a radical approach to journalism ethics reform. Ward also addresses important developments that have occurred in the last decade, including the emergence of digital journalism ethics and global journalism ethics.

way that, about a century ago, journalists felt the need to construct a professional
pre-digital ethics. Then I ... Because a full and adequate digital journalism ethics
does not exist. ... Therefore, the role of ethicists and philosophers is to join the
construction of the ethics and engage the debate over what ethics will best guide
(and define) responsible journalism in the future. ... I make extensive use of the
ideas of ethics as proposal, of imperfect inquiry, of evolving normative inquiry,
and of ...