Clayman1988

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Clayman1988
BibType ARTICLE
Key Clayman1988
Author(s) Steven E. Clayman
Title Displaying neutrality in television news interviews
Editor(s)
Tag(s) EMCA, Conversation Analysis, Neutrality, News interviews
Publisher
Year 1988
Language
City
Month
Journal Social Problems
Volume 35
Number 4
Pages 474–492
URL Link
DOI 10.2307/800598
ISBN
Organization
Institution
School
Type
Edition
Series
Howpublished
Book title
Chapter

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Abstract

This paper examines the nature and practice of journalistic neutrality in television news interviews. The aim is to describe the underlying speaking practices through which neutrality is regularly conveyed by news interviewers in interaction with their guests. Data are drawn from a variety of U.S. news interview programs, emphasizing Nightline and The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour. Three procedures are analyzed: 1) embedding statements within questions, 2) attributing statements to third parties, and 3) mitigating. While interviewers use these procedures routinely, they also invoke the first two in specifically hostile environments, suggesting that they serve a significant defensive function. Throughout this analysis, attention is also directed to the actions of interviewees to determine how they may preserve or undermine the interviewer's neutral stance. I conclude that neutrality is not inherent in interviewers or their actions considered in isolation, for the visibility of this “trait” is a collaborative achievement in which interviewees play a significant role.

Notes