How to Be Objective in Writing About Sensitive Issues?

By Yuri Alfrin Aladdin

(Lecturer in Communication Department at Universitas Al Azhar Indonesia)

"Objectivity," says Richard F.Taflinger , a journalism scholar, " is not a possible goal in human interaction, and that includes journalism. If this true, then would it be possible for journalists to provide a news report that is unprejudiced and fair particularly  when it comes to sensitive social issue , such as homosexuality and abortion ? 

I believe it will be so difficult for a journalist to be independent and objective 100 percents. As a human being, journalist has also idealism and it could be affect to his/her  news stories. In the newsroom, the owner of media publisher and chief editor could force the journalists to write as they want. Journalists could not be really independent.

What journalist can do is to try to be objective as far as he can. When he writes the story, he should try to be fair and unprejudiced. Therefore, journalist should only catch the facts and report it. Do not put his opinion in the story. But how to insert analysis in the story in order to make the readers understand to the context ?

I think journalist can interview some experts to give their analysis.  Their sources could be from both sides which is opposite. Cover both side should be done by journalist to avoid subjectivity.

For example, when I write about homosexuality and abortion, I have to try keeping my objectivity and not to interfere my opinion to the story I write. Of course, I oppose homosexuality and abortion as they violate my faith as a Muslim.

However, as journalists, we should try to be independent by only report the facts. In order to make our story balance, we should interview our sources such as the person who are gays or women conducting abortion as well as some expert such as doctors, psychologist, and also religious leaders, religious scholars, and government officials.

It is journalists' responsibility too to create a harmony in human life. Therefore, we should be careful in reporting it in order to avoid the anger people to the gays and abortion women.

In 2009,  a gay name Ryan, who was a chain killer as he killed more than 10 men. He had been nabbed and  put in jail. My news agency reported the case only facts and carefully to avoid some statements which could make people so hatred to the homosexual people. we avoid to quote some sources' statement who condemned the gays people.

For abortion, in Indonesia it is illegal except the doctors permit it to save the mother's life. If there is a case about illegal abortion, we should report the fact, interview the police officers to know the motive behind it. To get a cover both side story, we should interview also the women activists who support women's right to do abortion as well as interview the religious scholar who oppose this act.(*)