Journal for the Study of Antisemitism

2009] BETRAYING TRUTH 185
countenanced and held accountable–especially in a democracy, where they
are accorded freedom and a great deal of latitude.
But editorial choices–of words, photographs, stories to cover, placement,
emphases–do matter. Reporters, editors, and publishers should at
once bear responsibility and exercise transparency. They should not hesitate
to apply the terms “terrorist,” “militant,” “settlements,” “occupancy,”
and “equivalency” fairly and in context. Newspapers ought to post on their
websites their sources and methodology for delivering information (similar
to the way that medical articles are supported by data and methodology).
All media should be subject to regular appraisals and evaluations.
While it may be difficult if not impossible to achieve total objectivity
in reporting the news, a sense of balance and fairness should be attainable.
Fairness does not mean avoiding giving offense to any party; it means
fairly–accurately–covering the substance of the news. Likewise, balance
does not mean a mandatory numerical equality of sources from each side,
but rather relying on relevant, authoritative sources to convey a balanced
view of the issues at hand. The same should be true of editorial comment.
Opinion worth publishing should be well-informed opinion. All reputable
journals and their contributors should abide by the standards that they themselves
promulgate. It is incumbent upon everyone in a free society to insist
that these standards be recognized, maintained, and met.