Day in and day out, we are bombarded with news from all directions that there is so less news that is actually being listened to. The world is deluged with news received from all media; television, radio, newspapers, internet and other independent means. Apart from media fragmentation, there is also a rise in viewer/reader segmentation. Different audience groups have established their favorite media personalities, news channels, news shows and discourses.

News channels now compete by staying edgy and bringing in the latest news happenings around the world seconds after it has happened or in some cases as it is happening the very moment. With television and news stations owned by giant media conglomerates, it hard to not to find news spun around with opinions and fed to target individual audiences.

Journalism should be based on three essential qualities that are mostly ignored these days: accuracy, fairness and speed. Fairness constitutes both impartiality and objectivity. In physics, we hear accuracy and precision while in the news business it is all about accuracy and impartiality. Being impartial means being biased towards a particular side of the discussion.

Certainly all journalists have their own voices and opinions, but when it concerns news coverage, they have to deliver impartial, comprehensive news and current affairs that does not have even the slightest hint of their personal perspective. Balanced reporting can be pretty tricky especially if not much research is done to find the other side.

News channels have a tendency to influence public opinion and create differences and negativity towards current issues. Media has to adopt a fair and balanced approach to all sides. But in today’s shows, news channels merely portray the impression that they are being objective and impartial. It is natural that some stories do not have another side but presenting the false other side is actually entertainment and not being objective.

Another trend that is noticed widely these days is news channels calling in both sides of the matter to show their impartiality. This attempt to strike balance is an utter failure since no conclusion is reached from the heated debate as the anchor saves his/her opinion in an attempt not to appear biased. News channels in this way are simply providing no value to their viewers. 

People watch news to be informed about what is going on around them; from the latest in business markets and stock exchanges to educational news and sports victories. But when partial news is provided people lose trust in the news channels and simple consider them as a waste of time. What journalists need to do is hold their opinions to themselves.