This lecture deals with the question of what constitutes objective news reporting. It identifies the nature of journa_lism and discusses the implications for proper reporting. It analyzes such issues as: the role of philosophy, particularly of moral values, in journalism; the distinction between neutrality and objectivity; the meaning of context in journalism; how a reporter integrates journalistic concretes with the relevant abstractions. (Based on a lecture given at The Jefferson School in 1985.)

This lecture is supplemented with an optional afternoon series; an amplification of the material discussed in the morning lecture. Students will critically examine examples of journalism as well as perform writing/ editing exercises, as a means of clarifying and applying the requirements of objectivity.