The Fewer the Facts, the Stronger the Opinion

Weaver, Belinda (2001-01-01) The Fewer the Facts, the Stronger the Opinion.

 
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Title The Fewer the Facts, the Stronger the Opinion
Abstract/Summary The line between comment and opinion is increasingly becoming blurred in newspapers. Some critics are concerned that the public cannot distinguish between comment and reporting. Comment may even be pushing out space traditionally reserved for news, for example, in reporting on Parliament. The correction of errors of fact in opinion pieces needs addressing. Measures are needed to improve the standard of comment and to disentangle it from factual reporting. More diversity of opinion and the use of outside authorities and experts to provide it is one suggestion. A greater emphasis on fact-checking would help. Improved public literacy about the media and education via the school system to teach people how to read and interpret the media are other suggestions.
Keyword(s) Opinion pieces
Editorials
Commentary
Journalistic comment
Date 2001-01-01
Subjects 400101 Journalism
Author(s) Weaver, Belinda
Editor(s) Knight, Alan
Additional Notes This is the final version of an essay originally written for the Australian Press Council's essay competition, 2001.
 
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Created: Tue, 03 Feb 2004, 10:00:00 EST by Belinda Weaver (EA)  -  Detailed History