Confessions of a Biased Editor
Okay, let’s get this out of the way right now: I’m biased. Shocking, right? A journalist admitting they have opinions. But honestly, who isn’t? I’ve been editing news features for newspost.uk for 22 years, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that objectivity is a myth.
I remember sitting in a conference in Austin back in 2005, listening to some talking head drone on about ‘unbiased reporting.’ I turned to my colleague named Dave and said, ‘Look, if that’s true, why do we all lean left or right at the pub after work?’ He laughed, but it’s true. We all have our leanings.
Take climate change, for example. I think it’s real, it’s happening, and we’re screwed. There, I said it. But I’m not gonna pretend that’s the only side. I’ll give space to the deniers, but frankly, their arguments are thin. Last Tuesday, I had coffee with a guy—let’s call him Marcus—who still thinks it’s a hoax. I asked him, ‘What about the 97% of scientists who say otherwise?’ He just shrugged. I mean, come on.
Why You Should Be Wary of ‘Neutral’ News
Here’s the thing: news outlets that claim to be ‘neutral’ are often the most biased of all. They’ll give equal weight to both sides of an argument, even when one side is, well, complete bollocks. It’s like that old saying: ‘If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention.’
I remember editing a piece about vaccines a few years back. The ‘anti-vaxxer’ argument was given just as much space as the scientific consensus. It was maddening. I wanted to scream, ‘This isn’t a debate! This is public health!’ But I kept my mouth shut because, well, that’s my job. But I’m telling you now: it’s bullshit.
Breaking News: I Have Opinions
So yeah, I have opinions. Big ones. And I’m not afraid to let them show in my editing. If a writer submits a piece that’s completely one-sided, I’m gonna push back. But if they’re making a solid argument, I’m gonna let it fly. That’s what keeps our readers coming back.
But here’s the kicker: I’m not gonna pretend I’m always right. I’m human, I make mistakes. Like that time I let a piece about alien conspiracies slip through because I was hungover and not thinking straight. My boss, Sarah, nearly had a coronary. ‘What were you thinking?’ she yelled. ‘I wasn’t,’ I admitted. ‘Fair enough,’ she said, which honestly nobody asked for but here we are.
How to Spot Bias (Including Your Own)
So how do you spot bias? First, look at who’s being quoted. If it’s all men in suits, you’re probably getting a narrow perspective. Second, check the sources. Are they reputable, or are they just some guy’s blog? Third, ask yourself: ‘Is this giving me the whole picture, or just one side?’
And if you’re writing, be honest with yourself. Are you pushing an agenda, or are you trying to inform? If it’s the former, own it. If it’s the latter, do your damn research. And for the love of God, don’t rely on tech industry news analysis for your political opinions. That’s just asking for trouble.
I remember this one time, about three months ago, I was editing a piece about Brexit. The writer was so deep in the pro-Brexit camp, it was like talking to a brick wall. I said, ‘Look, you gotta acknowledge the other side.’ He said, ‘But they’re wrong!’ And I said, ‘Yeah, maybe. But they’re still people, and they still deserve to be heard.’
A Tangent: Why I Hate Clickbait
Speaking of biases, let’s talk about clickbait. I hate it. Loathe it. It’s the scourge of modern journalism. ‘You won’t believe what happened next!’ Oh, shut up. Just tell me what happened and let me decide if I believe it or not.
I had a writer once—let’s call her Lisa—who kept trying to sneak clickbait into her headlines. ‘Lisa,’ I said, ‘we’re better than this.’ She rolled her eyes but eventually came around. And you know what? Her writing got better. Because when you stop trying to trick people into reading your stuff, you start focusing on the actual content.
Back to Bias
So yeah, I’m biased. But I’m also honest. And I think that’s what journalism should be about: honesty. Not neutrality, not objectivity, but honesty. Telling the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. Even when it’s unpopular.
And if that means I ruffle a few feathers, well, so be it. I’d rather ruffle feathers than pull punches. Because at the end of the day, that’s what keeps journalism alive: telling the truth, no matter what.
So there you have it. My confessions, my biases, my opinions. Take them or leave them. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.
About the Author: Jane Thompson has been a senior editor at newspost.uk for over two decades. She’s known for her blunt honesty, her love of strong coffee, and her complete inability to understand why anyone would still support the England football team. You can find her on Twitter ranting about politics or bad journalism, usually at 11:30pm.
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