It’s interesting that the rise of “objective journalism” coincides with the rise of the “expert” system of government where city managers replaced mayors, since those who run the city shouldn’t have to answer to voters who can’t be counted on to vote “the right way”. Of course, it’s just a different manifestation of the elitism that is firmly rooted in the big government, nanny-state Left so the leftward tilt of journalism is no surprise.
I disagree, somewhat, with the notion that articles have to be shorter. It’s much more important that they be interesting and informative. Unfortunately, much of what passes for journalism is mind-numbing dreck that clearly didn’t even interest the writer. However, something could be said for publishing 3 different versions of the articles: an executive summary with only the most salient facts, a management summary with more details, and the full article. The reader could then find the version that be suited their needs. It’s more work but one size doesn’t always fit all and it has the added benefit of forcing the writer to understand what’s important.
It would also be useful if the aspiring journalist understood that writing the same article that everybody else writes isn’t a selling point to the public. Sure, they’ll fit in with the “in crowd” but they won’t sell any papers. If I can read your article in 46 other papers by 46 different writers then why should I buy your paper? Journalists have to be the most conforming self-proclaimed non-conformists on the planet.
