The job of a good journalist is the relentless pursuit of the truth regardless of facts that might reveal themselves to be in contravention of a journalist’s ideology

Some will say that journalists should be non-ideological. That is both an unreasonable and expensive fantasy. All people carry ideological views which help drive broader society towards improvement. However an ideology is only as good as the degree to which it undergoes refinement when placed in a fact driven crucible. When facts contradict ideological supposition, that’s the time to adjust an ideology!

Fact driven reporting avoids the binaryism which has seized much of the current journalistic media landscape. Over the past few decades the media consuming public has become conditioned to news reporting that delivers simplistic certainties which bolster the ideological convictions of readers.

It’s time for Western democracies to grow up, develop some humility and learn to appreciate uncertainty and nuance which will drive opportunities for social improvement. Great journalism can show the way by pursuing truths regardless of ideological conviction