Journalistic Objectivity in Today's Newsrooms

Researchers at Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication are gathering journalists' perceptions of the concept of "objectivity" and how it is viewed in today's newsrooms.

Journalists' thoughts and experiences will aid in the development of resources for news organizations, including a report and workshops.

All questions are optional. At the end of this questionnaire, journalists are asked to decide whether their responses are for attribution. Researchers may follow up with respondents for more insight.

Some of the questions refer to a journalist's current newsroom. Freelancers are encouraged to adapt those questions to their experiences. Similarly, experiences in former newsrooms may be relevant; don't hesitate to share those but please indicate if the experience occurred somewhere other than your current newsroom.

The Stanton Foundation is funding this research. Questions about this research can be directed to Andrew Heyward at aheyward@asu.edu.

Your Views and Experiences

Please rate your agreement with the following statements:

	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Agree	Strongly agree
I value objectivity in news.	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Agree	Strongly agree

My newsroom values objectivity.	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Agree	Strongly agree

My newsroom's audience values objectivity.	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Agree	Strongly agree

U.S. news consumers value objectivity.	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Agree	Strongly agree

Complete the sentence: "In my newsroom, objectivity is ... "

Do you agree with the following statement?

"Trust in journalism is dependent upon objectivity."

Yes

Explain why you chose "yes" or "no."

Describe a time when the concept of "objectivity" (e.g., a perceived lack of objectivity) was a point of contention in your newsroom. What was the result?

How do your personal characteristics and life experiences shape your view of objectivity?

Do you feel as though you have ever been assigned to a story — or taken off a story — because of your views on an issue, your experience of a news subject, or an aspect of your identity? Please explain. Even if this has never happened to you, what do you think your newsroom’s policy should be?

How do you think audience feedback, including feedback on social media, influences your newsroom’s coverage?

In your view, what are the three most important values your newsroom should follow?

How do you think those values will change over the next five years? How would you like to see them change?

How would you change your newsroom's current approach to objectivity?

Is there anything else you would like to share with the research team?

Demographic Questions

Age

Race and/or Ethnicity

Gender Identity

Sexual Orientation

Are there any other personal identity characteristics you want the researchers to know about (e.g., national origin, citizenship, political affiliation, religious affiliation, disability, socioeconomic status, veteran status)?

Attribution and Contact Information

Are your statements in response to this survey for attribution?

Yes, you can use my name and title when quoting or paraphrasing statements I made in response to this survey.

No, my statements have been made on the condition of anonymity. I would like to talk with the researchers to discuss a non-identifiable, descriptive attribution before they quote or paraphrase any of the statements I made in response to this survey.

Contact Information

First Name

Last Name

Job Title/Role

Name of News Organization

Phone

Email Address

Personal Pronouns