Ladies and gentlemen, I believe one of the main responsibilities of the media is to empower your readers and listeners. You cannot do this effectively or with any consistency when you have a private agenda or allow your personal feelings, preferences and opinions to get in the way of your job. This is regrettable. More importantly, it is dangerous as it undermines the trust and interest the community has in your newspaper, magazine or broadcast station. This can impact on your advertising base, as well as your credibility.
Judgmental journalism happens out of ignorance as well.
I have seen it many times. A reporter arrives at an event or to conduct an interview, and he or she has no idea of what is going on, why this particular person should be interviewed at this particular time and what kind of follow-up should be done to present a balanced report. What is most disturbing about these occasions is that too often, the reporter fails to admit his or her ignorance, fails to seek clarification or ask some probing questions. Instead, the public gets a distorted report with little depth or understanding. The person who suffered through the interview is left wondering whether or not that particular media house even has an editor.