Question 7
ComprehensionJAMB 1978 Passage B
The endeavour to maintain proper standards of fairness in journalism must be pursued. It is fatally easy for the journalist to deviate from the straight path. There is his natural desire to 'make a story' and insidious temptation to twist facts to square with his paper's policy. Both are as indefensible as the framing of misleading headlines for the sake of effect. The conscientious journalist must check any tendency to bias, and guard against the dangers inherent in personal antipathies or friendships, and in traditional opposition between rival schools of thought. When a political opponent, whose stupidity habitually provokes attack, makes an effective speech, honesty requires that he be given credit for it. Where personal relationships might make it easier and more congenial to keep silent than to criticize, the journalist must never forget his duty to the public and the supreme importance of recording the truth.
A journalist would be able to uphold the tenets of his profession if
- A.he seeks publicity
- B.he tries to achieve popularity
- C.he resists temptation to bias
- D.he can manipulate his story to please his employers
- E.he tries protect his friends.
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: C (he resists temptation to bias)
Explanation
The passage stresses that a conscientious journalist must check any tendency to bias. Resisting the temptation to bias lets him keep the rules of his profession.