The activities of Arab journalists in social media have basically removed any pretensions of objectivity or fairness. Most of the journalists reveal their true biases and preferences in social media. I have counseled many Arab journalists that they should refrain from commenting on political events and that they should try to not lose their audience by revealing their true beliefs (I maintain the same view regarding professors in the classroom and that they--even if active on blogs--should not advocate in the classrooms although that is violated by people on all sides). But at least I have noticed that many Western journalists have tried to stay out of revealing their partisan views on social media. But not anymore. It is becoming a trend. How can I, for example, read Liz Sly on Syria in the Washington Post when her twitter account reads like press releases for the Free Syrian Army. Don't get me wrong. I don't believe in objectivity and I believe that the biases of journalists (like Ms. Sly) are quite clear to the reader. But to come out so strongly and propagandistically on one side of a conflict that is being covered basically informs the reader to look elsewhere for media coverage. It is a choice that journalists take.
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