Randolph T. Holhut, The Smirking Chimp
October 10, 2003

DUMMERSTON, Vt. - It's been two years since I was forcibly removed from daily journalism. Instead of editing a newspaper, I've been working in a bakery.

I'm in exile from daily journalism mostly because of my inability to kiss ass and play office politics, my knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time when it came to career decisions and my desire to stay in New England. But I'm also estranged from the profession I devoted all of my adult life to because I simply can't pretend to be objective any longer.

I've long maintained that objectivity is the biggest crock of all in journalism. We all read, see and hear each day the standard news story formula where Joe Doakes is quoted saying "A," and then John Jones is quoted saying "B," and both positions are presented without context or explanation. This might be considered objective reporting, but is it accurate and fair?

The gaping hole in objectivity is that it creates passivity. You accept the official version of events because that's where the bulk of the news comes from. It's safe and easy. Challenge the official version of events and suddenly you find that no one in a position of authority returns your phone calls.