Alex Johnson – Journalist at Large

Many academic journalism observers argue that the “objectivity” model of U.S. journalism is outdated or, worse, destructive. Disclose your point of view, they argue, so the reader or the viewer can assess whether you’re being fair. They’ve managed to persuade some actual journalists.

One of them, apparently, is Neal Barton of KETK-TV of Tyler, Texas. KETK is one of the few remaining broadcast stations that observe the tradition of delivering an on-air editorial.

Usually, such editorials are delivered by the station manager or the community director. Neal Barton is the news director at KETK — by title, at least, the head of all news gathering.

That is, the journalism side.

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