Newswatch: The Trouble with Being Fair

Accuse to journalist of being biased, and he will bridle. He will admit to having how of his own but argue that as a professional, he knows how to put and aside when he covers the news. Nine out of ten reporters and editors will say that they are willing to be judged by how fair their stories to all sides. The tenth is named John L. Perry, and he is the editor of the Rome, Ga., News-Tribune.

In a speech to his fellow Georgian journalists (later reprinted in Editor & Publisher), Perry advised them, "Forget fair." He thinks that accenting...

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