Date of Award
Spring 4-28-2023
Document Type
Honors Project
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Communication and Digital Studies
Department Chair or Program Director
Rao, Anand
First Advisor
Crosby, Emily
Major or Concentration
Communication and Digital Studies
Abstract
In recent years, a term called “bothsidesism” has come into public use as both a critique of journalists participating in false balance and as an expectation that journalists should cover all sides of an issue—no matter if a side’s claims are unfounded. I argue that bothsidesism is problematic because 1) bothsidesism is a fallacious rhetorical tactic that minimizes objective fact; 2) the term “bothsidesism” and the act of practicing it both reinforce bipartisan thought, which stymies political action; 3) false balance is at odds with the role of a journalist; and 4) false balance is perpetuated by comment sections. I offer alternative tactics for reporting and directions for future research. This project was sponsored by Dr. Emily Crosby for COMM 460: Seminar in Digital Rhetoric.
Recommended Citation
Kirby, Jess, "A Rhetorical Criticism of “Bothsidesism” in Journalism" (2023). Student Research Submissions. 518.
https://scholar.umw.edu/student_research/518