Business reporters and bias: Where do we draw the line?

There was much online discussion this weekend about new Social Media guidelines released (well not yet publicly) by The Washington Post.

You can see the new guidelines here at PaidContent.org. The guidelines sparked a debate over bias, opinions and journalists and objectivity.

One thought being bandied about is that transparency is the new objectivity.

Business journalists should watch this debate. We have a particularly keen need to remain objective.

Earlier this month, news came out that watchdog reporter John Stossel was leaving ABC News for Fox Business.

Thoughts from his blog last week seemed particularly relevant in today's discussion. The former co-anchor on ABC’s 20/20 said that when he announced his move to FOX, "some readers complained about my 'bias'." He answers those claims here in a post he calls: The Truth About Media Bias


Stossel will be launching a new program called 'Stossel' which will focus on topics including free-market economies, civil liberties, the business of healthcare, social security, free trade.

What do you think? Are business journalists particularly susceptible to accusations of bias? Comment here or send us a note on Twitter via @BizJournalism

More posts from reporters today:
Stephen Baker, BusinessWeek: How I run afoul of the Wash Post's social media rules--and why
Rob Pegoraro, New York Times: Why Reporters Should Twitter (A Little Shop Talk) http://bit.ly/162ai2