Some people don't understand why a real journalist must remain unbiased

A viewer told me a journalist should be taking sides. Why I think this is so wrong.

Let me start this with the definition of a journalist.

According to Britannica, Journalism is the collection, preparation, and distribution of news and related commentary and features through such print and electronic media as newspapers.

The definition does not say it’s a journalist's job to give an opinion.

When I was 6-years-old I wanted to be a news reporter because I thought it would be fun to go around the community and give people the news of the day.

I often pretended to be a reporter with WXYZ Channel 7 and went around the neighborhood interviewing neighbors with a fake camera and microphone.

I never thought even as a child it was a job of a journalist to give an opinion.

It was simple, report the news.

Going through journalism classes at Eastern Michigan University I was taught the same standards that I had remembered when I was a child — report the news and remain unbiased.

I have worked as a journalist in Indiana, North Carolina, Michigan, Ohio, Alabama, and Pennsylvania.

At every station I have worked at the goal has been the same —— report the news without any bias and give depth and perspective.

Over the past ten years or so it seems like more and more people seek out journalists who side with their political views.

Many people argue this partisan journalism started with the wars between CNN, FOX News and MSNBC.

The cable networks do a mix of journalism and editorial content.

Many people I have talked to tell me they have no idea what the difference is between journalism and editorials.

I actually had a viewer reach out to me recently and say they were upset with me and said, “you need to pick a side.”

I wrote back to the viewer and told them no, my job is not to pick a side or show any bias in any way.

I am extremely proud that at some point I have made everyone upset at me. One of my former news directors told me, if you make everyone mad, you are doing your job.

My job is to report information and let people know what is going on around them and to hold government officials accountable.

I work at Mid-Michigan NOW in Flint, Michigan, and am proud of the journalistic standards set by our management.

My goal is to report every side of a story and to give depth and perspective.

I have had dozens of people unfollow me on social media because I have posted stories critical of Democrats, Republicans, or even independents.

A real journalist doesn’t care who he or she upsets, they are there to report information to people without bias.

It feels strange that I need to write this, but it seems like the general public has forgotten what journalism is all about.

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