Date of Completion

5-5-2024

Degree Type

Honors Thesis - Campus Access

Discipline

Political Science (POLS)

First Advisor

Claudia Sandoval

Abstract

A journalist’s goal is to convey the truth of a situation to their audience. Of course, true objectivity will never be possible due to personal biases, but journalists are responsible for striving to be as objective as possible. The historical understanding for what objectivity looks like in journalism takes the form in a practice now dubbed bothsideism. In efforts to not appear biased, journalists who partake in bothsideism provide both arguments of a debate, regardless of the validity and proportion of those who align with the viewpoint.

The practice of bothsideism prompts journalists to cover those who cite detransitioners with equal weight as those who do not regret the surgery, which misconstrues the reality of the situation to the general public. Bothsideism in journalism is hurting transgender youth. Because of a commitment to cover both sides of the debate, news outlets disproportionately amplify the voices of an incredibly small minority. This has tangible impacts on the legislation that is being passed regarding youth access to gender-affirming care.

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