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Lisa's avatar

I spent decades of my life as a journalist and also taught journalism for years. It was a badge of honour for me when I would be told by some of the people that I interviewed "it was such a fair story" and I would think to myself "Interesting. Because you are the side that I can't stand." Rarely these days do I read a story or see a report that I cannot immediately figure out exactly what that reporter's viewpoint is. No wonder trust in the media is at an all time low. People are smart. They don't need lectures from on high. Show them both sides and they can decide for themselves

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Frank Lee's avatar

Aside from some base human moral fundamentals that are a clear indication of God's natural law, moral clarity is only a legitimate thing within a culture, ideology or theocracy. Because in some cultures it is morally okay for the family next door to kill and eat your pet cat if it wanders into their yard, and stone your married sister to death if she is seen walking with an unmarried man who is not her husband.

So, to claim some monolithic basis of morality outside of these cultural, ideological or theological boundaries, you would be required to eject the concept of cultural diversity and fee expression... and become a supporter of totalitarianism where some top authority defines the lines. But even those lines are subject to a requirement of constant debate and adjustment. Hence, canceling objectivity as the basis for professional journalism not only should disqualify the writer from being recognized as a professional journalist, but more importantly indicate a need for cognitive behavior therapy.

Haidt explains that the moral filters of liberals tend to be myopic and those of conservatives much more diverse and rich. Maybe liberals should stick to activism and get out of writing for a living as it would seem a terrible match for their personality.

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