ABSTRACT
Quindlen's point rests, in part, on an idealistic conception of objectivity as complete impartiality and transparency. The profit motive is often derided as an enemy of objectivity. Principles of journalistic ethics are not similar to the prohibition against murder or theft but more like edicts about therapist–client or doctor–patient relations. Journalistic and scholarly ethics do not require suicidal policies. Journalists feel pressured not to report objectively on matters that affect the interests of their employers and advertisers. Here again objectivity is confused with impartiality or neutrality. The central element of objective journalism is to recognize that journalism, as other professions, aims at some goal, presumably a goal that is itself demonstrably valuable. Journalistic and scholarly ethics do not require suicidal policies. In professions such as scholarship, journalism, writing, and so forth, the ethics of the profession derive from more basic principles.
