Peirspictiochtai Ar An Saol
Zero-Based News
Part Nineteen
Using the news media to advocate for a specific position is not new.
While some may think advocacy in the news media is a new phenomenon, this technique may appear that way simply because of the boldness with which some individuals and entities are no longer even couching their opinions. Instead, some journalists are boldly stating that their opinion is fact. And based on those facts, certain policies and activities can be advocated as truth.
Some individuals and entities that consider objective news to be the gold standard no longer put aside their own views on subjects. They clearly state what they believe is the correct way to think, the correct way to look at an event, and the correct way to view an activity.
Advocacy impacts the reporting of news.
Advocacy can take different forms.
Here's one example:
Person "X" stated a position on a policy. In previous news reporting, Journalist "A" might then present the views of Person "Y," whose position on the same policy is different from Person "X." The general public listening, watching, and/or reading that exchange of positions could then decide which position they find most compelling.
In today's reporting, the news might be presented in a different manner.
Person "X" stated a position on a policy. In today's reporting, Journalist "A" might then state that Person "X" is lying. In doing this, Journalist "A" has short-circuited the debate on the policy. The general public listening, watching, and/or reading that exchange of positions is only hearing, viewing, and seeing one side of the policy.
Journalist "A" is advocating a policy position.
Here's another example:
Person "X" stated a position on a policy. In previous news reporting, Journalist "B" might then present the views of Person "Y." whose position on the same policy is different from Person "X." The general public listening, watching, and/or reading that exchange of positions could then decide which position they find most compelling.
In today's reporting, the news might be presented in a different manner.
Person "X" stated a position on a policy. In today's reporting, Journalist "B" might then end the news reporting without presenting the views of Person "Y," whose position on the same policy is different from Person "X." In doing this, Journalist "A" has short-circuited the debate on the policy. The general public listening, watching, and/or reading that exchange of positions is only hearing, viewing, and seeing one side of the policy.
Journalist "A" is advocating a policy position.
The next news column in this series will focus on an overview of how Zero-Based News could be implemented by the news media.
Peirspictiochtai Ar A Saol – Gaelic – Irish – for "Perspectives On Life" is a column focused on aspects of accountability and responsibility as well as ways people look at life.
Contact Richard McDonough at
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