Loud and Clear: Terry Moran Says Journalists Shouldn't Aim for Objectivity, But Fairness
Former ABC reporter who labeled Trump a "top-tier bigot" asserts that journalists shouldn't be expected to maintain objectivity
Terry Moran, the ex-ABC journalist, isn't afraid to shake things up. In a recent chat with The Bulwark's Tim Miller, Moran threw the journalism rulebook out the window, stating that reporters shouldn't aim for objectivity, but rather, they should strive for accuracy and fairness.
This straight-talking approach comes shortly after the CBS News correspondent Scott Pelley delivered a scathing graduation speech slamming President Donald Trump, a performance that Moran applauded in the same interview.
Labeling himself as a "centrist" and "Hubert Humphrey Democrat," Moran dismissed critics who claimed his post revealed a liberal bias prevalent in the media. He argued passionately, "You don't sacrifice your citizenship as a journalist. Your job is not to be objective."
But what about Moran's history of attacking Trump? Well, Moran has been vocal about his feelings towards the 45th President since his first term in 2017. He defended his latest social media post that labeled Trump and White House aide Stephen Miller as "world-class haters," stating that it reflected his honest opinions and was not just a drunken rant.
In his Substack conversation, Moran also praised Pelley's viral commencement address, stating that it was "spot on." Pelley had warned grads about the threats posed to truth, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and freedom of speech under the Trump administration, urging them to speak out against it.
The interview also saw Moran discussing the fallout from his controversial post. He admitted that he expected severe consequences but stood by his statement as an accurate depiction of his feelings. Despite the controversy, Moran remains passionately committed to his views, advocating for fairness and accuracy in journalism rather than striving for unattainable objectivity.
- Impossible Standards of Objectivity in Journalism: Is it time to reconsider the traditional approach to reporting?
- The Impact of Social Media on Journalistic Standards: Are journalists crossing the line when they express strong opinions on social media?
- The Future of Journalism: Can the industry adapt to changing times and maintain its role as a watchdog of power?
- The Trump Era and Journalism: How did the Trump administration's approach to the media influence journalistic practices?
- Moran's Career Transformation: What can we learn from Moran's experience and how will it shape his future in journalism?
- In light of Terry Moran's arguments, should the general-news sphere shift focus from aiming for unattainable objectivity to ensuring fairness and accuracy instead?
- As Terry Moran's vocal social media posts demonstrate, is the boundary between personal opinion and journalistic integrity becoming increasingly blurred in today's politics-driven news landscape?
