Dec 4, 2008
Can journalists be a fan of a politician?
That’s the question being asked in Norway after a political journalist “was criticized because she was a “fan” of the Norwegian Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg, on Facebook.” (via Bente)
4 Comments, Comment or Ping
Pareidoliac
Why on earth can’t a journalist be a ‘fan’ of a politician? Or for that matter why can’t a politician be a ‘fan’ of say a football star or poet or even an artist say Damien Hirst for example?
I suspect the question is only asked because of naive understandings of journalism as an exercise in ‘objectivity’. But history has a way of being little more than the rise and fall of partialities and passions.
Dec 4th, 2008
The Worst of Perth
And also fan isn’t really the right word in facebook, as it doesn’t sort of exactly mean fan per se, just like friend doesn’t quite sit right, when aquaintance or contact might be a better word. On the other hand, it’s probably best not to put yourself in that position, because this is what happens. BTW I see you dropped the comment system while I was en conference in new zealand. I kinda liked being #2 commenter.
Dec 7th, 2008
paulbradshaw
Yes, you were getting too powerful, Perth. I had to take you down.
Dec 8th, 2008
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