One of our worst traits in journalism is that when we have a narrative in our minds, we often plug in anecdotes that confirm it. Thus we managed to portray President Gerald Ford, a first-rate athlete, as a klutz.
Nicholas KristofRead
I'm sometimes embarrassed by how clinical I can become when I'm out reporting.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the speaker's awareness of becoming emotionally detached while performing their job.
Nicholas Kristof expresses a sense of embarrassment at his ability to adopt a detached, almost clinical approach when reporting on difficult subjects. This statement highlights the internal conflict that many journalists face, balancing the need to remain objective and the natural human inclination to empathize with the subjects they are covering. It draws attention to the psychological impact of consistently encountering distressing stories, suggesting that maintaining emotional distance can sometimes seem necessary for professional integrity.
Themes
ReportingDetachmentJournalismEmpathyEmotion
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion about the challenges faced by journalists in maintaining objectivity.
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