We are all advocating for something, we intentionally adopt a thought for a purpose. We do it because we believe we are advocating it for a change that is needed especially in our existing society. Though the advocacy can be hidden at some point, the biases will always come out in the end making it a habitual practice.
Advocacy journalism like many other form of journalism is said to be factual, based on truth and evidences. But the difference is that journalists’ who are practicing it advocates for their own stories. It is said that in contrast every advocacy journalists’ have an opinion in the stories they are writing. They have the power and the right to choose on which story and side they must stand because of their biases and a thought that it is the best angle for the story.
Advocacy journalism like many other form of journalism is said to be factual, based on truth and evidences. But the difference is that journalists’ who are practicing it advocates for their own stories. It is said that in contrast every advocacy journalists’ have an opinion in the stories they are writing. They have the power and the right to choose on which story and side they must stand because of their biases and a thought that it is the best angle for the story.
At some point advocacy journalism is a good catalyst for change, for an instance, Art 3 of the 1978 UNESCO Media Declaration states that, “the mass media have an important contribution to make to the strengthening of peace and international understanding and in countering racialism, apartheid and incitement to war”. The media have the political and moral obligation in shaping the information and messages that we receive.
On the other hand, our own perception of reality nowadays is merely based on media, television, radio and the internet tells us what is the culture trend to the extent of dictating us that “this is the reality” by reflecting not the reality but the own views of the media maker. The media message tries to persuade us to act something that they want and something that they advocate.
Journalism and the media must advocate for a worthy cause, but sometimes they instead produce demeaning values and ideas. Sad to say, those who are practicing it are the mainstream media, the most used and the most accessible media. The mainstream media which is controlled by commercial interest, business tycoons and large corporations, which enables them the privileges to control the access to information and even change the information for their own concern.
On the other hand, our own perception of reality nowadays is merely based on media, television, radio and the internet tells us what is the culture trend to the extent of dictating us that “this is the reality” by reflecting not the reality but the own views of the media maker. The media message tries to persuade us to act something that they want and something that they advocate.
Journalism and the media must advocate for a worthy cause, but sometimes they instead produce demeaning values and ideas. Sad to say, those who are practicing it are the mainstream media, the most used and the most accessible media. The mainstream media which is controlled by commercial interest, business tycoons and large corporations, which enables them the privileges to control the access to information and even change the information for their own concern.
The norms of Journalism are truthfulness, fairness, and public service. Advocacy Journalism has proven its effective role in shaping our ideas, culture and even our society. Advocacy journalists’ like our opinions have their own point of view; remember that our mind is like a sponge that could absorb information. Information and ideas that could have positive nor negative effects on us.
But the positive side of advocacy journalism has been proven ever since, issues such as climate change, apartheid, racism, child abuse, human trafficking, political dynasties, animal rights and gender equality has been addressed successfully to our thoughts by means advocacy campaigns and later on propagandas that changed the whole course of our history.
But the positive side of advocacy journalism has been proven ever since, issues such as climate change, apartheid, racism, child abuse, human trafficking, political dynasties, animal rights and gender equality has been addressed successfully to our thoughts by means advocacy campaigns and later on propagandas that changed the whole course of our history.
