Final Question 3

Truth is perhaps one of the most debated aspects of journalism, but it often viewed in different ways. Some see truth as merely getting the facts right, but it is also something deeper. Kovach and Rosenstiel offer the following: "Journalistic truth. . .is also more than mere accuracy. It is a sorting-out process that develops between the interaction among the public, newsmakers, and journalists over time. This first principle of journalism—its disinterested pursuit of truth—is ultimately what sets it apart from all other forms of communication" (2001, e9). This idea of truth as a process helps us understand what is most important in journalism. While it is impossible to get every story right every time, truth is more of a pursuit than an actual destination. This may seem a slippery way to avoid an answer, it separates the good journalists from the bad—this consistent pursuit of truth builds credibility and establishes a reputation that is essential for the public to identify sources for information. By becoming a reputable source, the organization or journalist is able to contribute to civic knowledge, enlarging the public's ability to interact with society.