Jacqui Banaszynski’s Talk Reflection
Stories can make a lasting impact because unlike broken bones, bombs, and starving children stories are eternal. All of those examples are of things that are fast and temporary feelings or actions that are ever-changing depending on the circumstances. Stories stay static and timeless.
I agree with Banaszynski’s claim that “all reporting is foreign reporting” because technically when a reporter is talking on an issue, they are initially foreign to the concept and ideas surrounding that story. Therefore, their approach would be a foreign approach to what the story that is being reported on is about. This has to do with biases because if a reporter is not foreign to a topic, they are more likely to be biased towards that topic. Writers with preconceived knowledge on an issue most likely have a presumed bias on that issue and will not write objectively or foreign report on that issue.
I agree with Banaszynski that we all have bias that are undeniable and worth recognizing because if we do acknowledge bias, we are more likely to be real and relatable with conversation and questioning. Life experiences that shaped my own biases are probably my experience dancing for 15 years of my life. This has shaped my biases because I did not grow up like other kids did. I dedicated most of my time to dancing and therefore did not experience what most kids growing up did. This changed my biases on socializing, time management, organization, and physical health.
Non-Objective: The issue I chose to write about is the underpayment of dancers in the dance industry. For years, dancers ranging from back-up dancers to NFL and NBA dancers have been getting underpaid for the extensive hours, training, and time they dedicate to making sports teams and superstars look good while performing. The average salary for NFL and NBA dancers per game is $75-$150. Back-up dancers earn an average salary of $28,000-$43,000 per year. This is insufficient to living standards, especially since most dancers live and work in Los Angeles where the cost of living is more expensive than any other place in the U.S.
Objective: NFL dancers earn an average of $75-$150 per game. Back-up dancers earn $28,000-$43,000 per year. These dancers might be underpaid but they might not be. Many dancers live in Los Angeles and living can cost a lot of money. This is causing concern in the dance industry.
I think that journalists would be more credible by publicly disclosing their personal point of views on issues they report because if they keep it hidden or try to objectify it, the article will sound more untrustworthy due to the attempted unbiased. If journalists are open, readers will know that the writers are passionate about their topic and more likely to know much about a topic they are passionate about even if the article is biased. If I were a journalist, I would not disclose my views because I think being open about my views would make me more credible as a writer and overall more passionate because my writing will be genuine and not forcibly objective. I would go about communicating information by being as real and raw as possible so people who share a similar viewpoint can understand the story from my side and get correct information that is objective with an issue that is biased.
