The issue of objectivity as it relates to coverage of Barack Obama is a silly and false concern. First of all, objectivity is a goal, but there is no real test for it. Every journalist brings their own bias to a story, based on their own personal perspective.

If a member of your family is killed by a madman with a gun, how "objective" would you be on stories about gun control?
If you were seriously injured in a automobile crash caused by a drunk driver, I bet you wouldn't do stories about how DUI laws were too severe.

African Americans still witness thousands of biased stories that are reported every day in the media. Stories about blacks are usually about death, disease, destruction, and despair. These issues are reported by white journalists who already believe that those are the only stories you can find in black neighborhoods. If you're going to bring up the issue of "objectivity" in reporting, please don't limit it to the Obama campaign; and to black journalists.

As far as journalists cheering Obama at the Unity convention, let me state for the record that it's not the first time it's happened at one of our conventions. President Bush was cheered when he spoke; as were many other notable politicians who have appeared before us.
Our conventions are not formal news conferences; these are events where many journalists attend the speeches, while wearing their hats as voters. If I'm not covering the story, and a speaker says something I agree with, I'll probably say "Right On!"

Finally, don't forget that hundreds of people who attended Unity were not working journalists. Many of them were teachers, public relations professionals, recruiters and students. They were in that room strictly to hear Obama speak, and they had a right to cheer and respond because they are voters too. So don't jump to conclusions just because you heard cheering, since you don't really know who actually doing it.

But you can bet your bottom dollar that no reporter who was covering the story was cheering for Mr. Obama. You can't cheer when you're taking notes; and that's a fact Jack!

I appreciate the three questions raised by Barbara. As an inspiring journalist, I quickly took notes.

IS IT TRUE that during training, Journalist are given many formulas, techniques and strategies to play with while developing a story? I am not aware of any journalism program that doesn't offer core courses, such as Ethics, Law and History. Therefore, I will assume that Journalist graduate from their chosen profession well aware of his or her duties and responsibilities as a Journalist; right?

IS IT FAIR that Ms "OBJECTIVITY" put her two cents in? She's just not working with enough substance, therefore, "playing herself". Time and time again, here comes Ms "AMERICA" with her flag, trying to cover the consciousness of a people (all of humanity steve), by clouding their perception, when comparing objectivity and credibility, as if there is a difference. In the initial story "Don't question my credibility because I am black". Objectivity was the question at hand. In other words, "don't question my ability to to by objective because I am Black". Remember the word bias is reflective of your idea of objectivity. Check out the dictionary (Fact checking is crucial to a Journalist right).

IS IT NECESSARY to have anyone question the capacity of how well, if at all, a Melaninated Journalist can deliver an objective publication or broadcast? Which in turn, is ultimately questioning one's credibility. Barbara gave a brilliant example of how White Men, in all area of Communications, are never confronted with inquiries regarding their ability to address issues referencing white culture in social settings through Mass Media. Check out how Ms. "OBJECTIVITY" keep the torch going... Always trying to find fault. I wonder if this is just another example of that false sense superiority boiling in her own mind. Now, if this "ain't" ONE dimensional, I don't know what you call it.

Does it make people curious as they ponder on how Ida B. Wells ( An African-American Woman Journalist) became known across the world as a significant heroin in the fight to end the inhumane practices of Hanging nooses around Black men and women and killing them in great numbers; not so long ago, here in America?

Except the fact that AFRICAN-AMERICANS Journalist have many stories to share with the world, As they attend and complete journalism programs. Finally, to become EDUCATED, EXPERIENCED and PROFESSIONAL in the field of Communications. In the end, leaving it up to the reader (their target audience) to judge, which will almost always be done according to their processing of associations, assimilations to and perception of the topic.

This is why I plan to receive my Ph.D in the study of Mass Media. It is very important to be ten steps ahead in the "game" that contributes to the shaping of visual perception and social learning through Mass Media. The European paradigm will continue to be challenged in these accredited institutions, which I fault for producing Journalist (CNN, ABC, NBC and CBS) who are suspicious of and reluctant to accepting a greater perspective or anything else outside of their one dimensional view.

A story is a a story , is a story, is a story! And if you can't beat them, start your own business. 'cause baby, I love stories that reflect the beauty of my people and this is the story that I wish to project to the world. Black folks do much more then just rob, kill and die in America.
http://www.sultanahcorbett.blogspot.com

oh yeah, depending on the topic, writing objectively is a method used in journalism, not a rule. How do a journalist present the facts and descriptions of events without interpretation, will always be a technique to master while at the tip of a writer's conscience.

WORD!