Objectivity is a pillar of journalism, but its definition and application are loosely defined and humanly impossible to achieve, experts say. Podcast guest Emily Atkin argues that an uncritical adherence to objectivity (over trust) has led to gaslighting readers about the real-world causes and urgency of the climate crisis.

She quit her day job to launch the acclaimed newsletter “HEATED,” which was spurred by a desire to report on the human causes of climate change and ecological destruction more directly. She discusses why with host Rachel Donald on this episode.

Subscribe to or follow the Mongabay Newscast wherever you get podcasts, from Apple to Spotify, and you can also listen to all episodes here on the Mongabay website, or download our free app for Apple and Android devices to gain instant access to our latest episodes and all our previous ones.

Image: An abstract AI-generated photo of a wildfire in the forest. Image from CharlVera via Pixabay. 

---

Timecodes: 

(00:00) Introduction

(02:48) The Birth of Heated: A Climate Journalism Venture

(05:19) The Challenges of Mainstream Media

(14:17) The Role of Objectivity in Journalism

(32:34) The Role of a Journalist and Power Dynamics

(35:49) The Relationship Between Press and Government

(38:48) The Role of Independent Journalism

(47:33) Journalism Ethics

(50:41) The Roots of Objectivity

(01:00:35) Conclusion