advocacy journalism definition
Advocacy journalism presents a suggestion of fairness and neutrality while actually following an agenda. An example of this is the Armstrong Williams ' scandal, in which a broadcaster was paid by the Bush administration to support the No Child Left Behind education plan. A hypothetical example of advocacy journalism. 1  In Anytown, USA, there is public conflict regarding building a large power plant. 2  A local publisher opposed to the plant presents a five-part series accenting probable negative consequences the construction of the power plant would have on the town. The term advocacy journalism describes the use of journalism techniques to promote a specific political or social cause. The term is potentially meaningful only in opposition to a category of journalism that does not engage in advocacy, so-called objective journalism (? Objectivity in Reporting). In contrast, advocacy journalists have an opinion about the story they are writing. For example, that political corruption should be punished, that more environmentally friendly practices should be adopted by consumers, or that a government policy will be harmful to business interests and should not be adopted. Criticism of advocacy journalism. Professional journalists and members of the public critical of the term assert that with the sacrifice of a measure of journalist objectivity you have bad journalism: reporting that does not serve the public interest. Advocacy journalism is a genre of journalism that, unlike propaganda, is fact-based, but supports a specific point of view on an issue. Advocacy journalists might be expected to focus on stories dealing with corporate business practices, government policies, political corruption, and social issues. It is arguable that advocacy journalists serve the public interest in a way similar to muckrakers or whistle-blowers. Advocacy journalism is a genre of journalism that intentionally and transparently adopts a non-objective viewpoint, usually for some social or political purpose. Because it is intended to be factual, it is distinguished from propaganda. Related articles: Journalism ethics and standards, Media bias, Public relations. In the United States, the practice of advocacy journalism by the mainstream domestic media outlets has raised questions relating to the possibibility of systemic media bias in place of traditional reportage. Some feel that the public interest is better served by a diversity of media outlets with a variety of transparent points of view, or that advocacy journalism serves a similar role to muckrakers or whistleblowers. Advocacy Journalism can be defined as journalistic praxis (reflective practice). The Nation, in focusing on evidence-based reporting coupled with a standpoint, engages in advocacy journalism.
A genre of journalism that intentionally and transparently adopts a non-objective viewpoint, usually for some social or political purpose.