If a political writer is ashamed of their party affiliation and refuses to state it in their openly biased articles, then their written words are as dishonest as their character. This is America not some foreign nation. The lame stream media in this country has regressed to the point that they have very little credibility anymore. Bottom line is this, (They, the liberal controlled biased media ), wind up with big money pockets no matter who wins an election. They win either way! Now in 2012, way too much money is spent on political bs commercials from both major political parties. The media gets it all. It's time for an honest media in America. An honest media would give a large percentage of that political money received back to the government to help pay down the national deficit. We don't have an honest unbiased media in America anymore. The media is wealthy and biased with huge money pockets. It leans far left. It needs a right cross knock out punch from the Romney administration on election day Fire the usurper that the media has so blatantly protected for four years now.

God Bless our America !

The comments here depress the hell out of me. Everyone has opinions and views. Do people think that people who hide or deny that they have views are therefore more trustworthy. The opposite is true. If one hides their views or lies about having them this makes one a bad journalist since if a reporter hides his opinion (or denies having one) than how do the people trust that he isn't hiding facts he doesn't want people to see. Everyone has an opinion, denying reality and keeping a facade makes you a liar not objective and professional. A good journalist shares their opinions so the viewer can know where the reports are coming from. The idea that denying and hiding one's opinions in order for him to appear objective is just a facade and Orwellian nonsense. The following 2 clips explain this better:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftgE9Zq9Hi4&list=UUwYtzX-vfZ2krwYqVQHOvSQ&index=7&feature=plcp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsF6nv92070&feature=relmfu

The simple and short answer is:Nope! If you do,no matter how relatively objective you might seem to appear,that relative objectivity is implicitly compromised.Your credibility will always be on the line and your audience may never trust you however good a journalist you might have been.

Journalists are expected to say the truth no matter how bitter it seems. And sometimes the truth belongs to one party over another, such as in the case of popular uprisings, e.g. Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen, etc.

You can't be neutral when one party which clearly belongs to one particular political leaning expresses itself as the only side of the truth.

The answer - at least in the U.S. is no. Did you see this article about how "occupy" got this journalist fired? http://gawker.com/5854118

Objectivity is sacrificed when a journalist expresses his or her political leaning. However, there is also one fact we as journalist cannot shy away from;it is that whether we admit it or not,as human beings we do tend to have a soft spot toward a political group over others. We should however do our best to remove our political views from our stories

Unless every artical written takes on a dissertation like style to every subject reported it is undoubtly fortunate that political leanings will be expressed if not purposefully then subconsiously. Journalists should definately bring thier own views but mst importantly remain subjective whilst doing so, thus enabling ground for good open debate regarding the most important of issues.

Journalist can express his/her leanings and his/her point of view in the politics. However, he/she must be balanced when reporting.

It is really hard but one can do.

JOUURNALISTS hold the responsibility of being balance, fair, or impartial. If journalists therefore openly identify their political leanings, they will hardly respect the above ethics. Objectivity will be dumped in to garbage cans and this would cause critical readers, listeners and viewers to turn their backs against such journalists. This will also put the credibility of both the journalists and their media organizations at stake. The media which is the watchdog of society will loose such important role if its journalists lean on any given political party. It is a shame that some journalists have had to behave this way. Comment by Manzie Vincent Doh, Publisher and Editor-in-chief of Cameroon Trumpet Newspaper, Buea, Cameroon.

As part of the sociecty journlists can hold certain opinions and as much as they hold ,i feel they should not reveal because doing so will leave a huge dent on thier image as members of the fourth estate.Albet,i suggest that its not right to ask journalist to reveal thier political affliations.

Abdilatif Maalim Adan (School of Journalism ,University of Nairobi)

Just it is obvious that journalist should and must not be a political tool in the hands of politicians. So my opinion is that that media workers, especially those writing news must not expose their political leaning while practicing their profession. Journalist should and must report accurately and free of any political, economic and other leanings. BTW I'm writing this from Azerbaijan.

Journalists are human, and so it must be understood that they posses personal opinions and engage in private affiliations. But journalists are noble professionals too, serving a crucial role in society. Objectivity and impartiality are the strongest pillars of any journalistic work, and must not be blacked out. However, editorial policies differ, often according to ownership of media houses. Present-day investors in media are often keen to promote promote particular agenda, which then require journalists to pursue stories with specific leanings. In this respect, affiliation could be refelected through selection of copy, and that we, as journalists, cannot run away from. What would be wrong and extremely unethical, would be the deliberate twisting of facts to unduly influence readership towards the journalist's and by extension the ownership's affiliation.

Why not? Aren't they part of society? They walk and breathe in the same world as others do. People cannot expect us (journalists) to live with them but be devoid of opinions and political leanings. As a matter of fact, journalists are reformers and the more political minded they are, the better they can serve humanity. Albeit, my suggestion is that journalists should strike a balance between their political affiliations and professional duties to better serve their respective societies.

I’m Tobi P. Ahlonsou columnist saving in the private Newspaper intituled La Presse du jour, from Republic of Benin located been federal of Nigeria and Ghana. We are campaigning for local election in my country. It means that the political debates are strongly made. The candidates often selected the newspapers; radio and television of their choice to cover their meeting. But the selection is made up basically on the political position of the medium. The newspapers that are critical vis à vis the government have a great audience. The politician and the readers like to read, listing or watch the Television that try as far as possible to realise their impartiality. From the reality I personally think that is better as journalist not to divulge your political position

I think, as a citizen, a journalist must be involved in politics. It's a way for him to contribute to the development of democracy. He will have the opportunity to express his own opinion on country development policies. In my country, some journalists got high positions in the public administration, because they are militants of the ruling party or they defend the power. But somehow, it may be dangerous for a journalist to be a member of a political party. Whatever maybe your efforts to the promotion of the party, some will hardly forget your statute of journalist. In meetings, they say, beware ! There is a journalist among us. What is important, is to work honestly in your newsroom without showing your position.

People are itself a political being so nobody can imagine that any journalist could leave apart from the politics. But being a journalist she or he must perform fairly forgetting affiliation or sympathy to any party in writing. Fairness in work is sufficient for any media house so there is no any need to restrict to affiliate.

I am a long-time TV/radio reporter and producer in the US. I have also spent a lot of time working in Europe and am familiar with the "opinion" or "slanting" allowed there -- even from such stalwarts as the BBC. Journalists should be able to present factual information to people - with context - so people can form their own opinions. But that context should also be as impartial as possible. Certainly I have strong, personal and political opinions. But not for broadcast with my news stories. Nor have I ever contributed financially to any political party. It just doesn't work if journalism's main fuction is presenting unbiased (as much as possible) information. An uncensored but honest press is the main caretaker of democracy and freedom. Here -- and anywhere else.

"Affiliations"- These very term itself is leading and self-spoken statement. To the extent, as rightly said by Indian Saint- Swami Vivekananda "Fear is the greatest of all superstitions"; the handful few who have political lineage to have a fear of being either alieniated or Professionaly insecure. My advice to them is to go and open a PR or an Event mgmt Firm instead. If Journalism doea not suffice your ends---- I would rathar direct them to "Go and Sell vegetables"- Buttering the Politicians is nothing short of earning a bad name for the holy Profession where "Yellow" stands as the buzz word

Sanjoy Paul, India

I strongly disagree with the view that journalists should affiliate with politicals parties.

The profession of Journalists is a distinct job that seperate journalists from public officials. Journalists are watchdogs who the public depends on for information therefore they should see themselves as unique people in the society.

To be impartial is one of the basic values of journalist.. Being affiliated to any political ideology does not help in the dissemination of information in a free, fair and impartial manner.

Journalists are no the animal of other planet so they have their feelings- likes and dislikes. But that should not be reflected in their work in any way except in the case of editorial writing where you declare that is your own opinion or views.

When we talk of Freedom then we must be free from any ideology.

this is difficult for a journalist to have a one side openion about any political party but every one have their own openion.my openion is that only public affilation ll be acceptable for the readers so journalist must keep their interest in their profession otherwise it ll be difficult

for developing 'sources', affliliations are ok but having leanings is not the job of a journalist. the moment he becomes an 'advocate' of a political party he should quit the job and join the party.the credibility of the media gets destroyed by such advocates

به نظر من بروز گرایشات روزنامه نگاران اشکالی ندارد. ولی باید دقت کنند که گرایشات آنها روی انتقال اخبارشان اثر نگذارد. زیرا رسالت یک خبر نگار در انتشار هر خبری باید بر اساس صداقت و بازتاب واقعیت باشد. نه اینکه از تریبون شغلی خود سوء استفاده نماید

i am of the view that journalist should not affiliate their selves to any political party, due to the nature of our work. this is not so especially in Africa here, where some journalist have only become what i called "stomach journalist" because they only write in favour of certain politcal parties or figures because of what they will get. This is also common in my country here, I am not saying this to condenm journalist in my country, but i believe there is more room for improvement. Journalism should beof fair reportage.

soo100fr@yahoo.co.uk

I really don't agree with the view that Journalists should disclose their politcial affliations because they are supposed to be watching others including politicians.If they feel they have had enough why not outrightly join politics and give up on journalism.

No, If you have political leaning then why are you working as journalist, you can become a consultant of the political pary.

It is a worng to even think about it.

Nowadays journalism have been seen as the area where you can make lot of money. People become rich when they join this profession, it is bad news for journalism. I don't say that we must not earn money.

In India, TV channels are going in wrong direction, they want news which cost them less (that means, they don't want to research, they don't want to go places). They are problem creaters, they are baised. Example is NDTV, CNN IBN, IBN 7.

newsjockey@gmail.com

Journalist should be able to express their views irrespective of their political or any affiliations.

If they express political leanings, then, they are not true journalists because they will have to side their views to the advantage of their political affiliation.

They should be able to expose available and important information to the public. This should aim at creating a well informed society.

Thank you for choosing this topic.

Journalists are crusaders and their job is nothing short of a mission that is for the overall well-being of the masses. In reality they should be the voice of the voiceless, defender of the defenseless and leader of the leaderless. Lamentably, in many countries, journalists seem to be paying more interest in other non-journalistic activities particularly political one. No doubt, there are politically inclined journalists but activities of a few should not be taken as a weapon to give a sweeping blame to media as a whole. The journalists have been considered as an intellectual group of people in the world and they should always live up to that level.