I think being a liberal, in the true sense, is being…
““I think being a liberal, in the true sense, is being nondoctrinaire, nondogmatic, non-committed to a cause - but examining each case on its merits. Being left of center is another thing; it's a political position. I think most newspapermen by definition have to be liberal; if they're not liberal, by my definition of it, then they can hardly be good newspapermen. If they're preordained dogmatists for a cause, then they can't be very good journalists; that is, if they carry it into their journalism." [Interview with Ron Powers ( Chicago Sun Times ) for Playboy , 1973]””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker defines liberalism as open‑minded, case‑by‑case analysis, contrasting it with dogmatic partisanship, and argues journalists should be liberal to remain unbiased.
In simple terms: Liberalism means evaluating each issue independently.
Key Takeaway
Stay open, avoid dogma.
Themes
journalism
politics
open‑mindedness
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
professional
When to use this quote
- news reporting
- editorial decisions
- public discourse
- media ethics
Key Concepts
critical thinking
ethical standards
objectivity
Questions to Reflect On
- Can a journalist be truly neutral?
- How do personal beliefs affect coverage?
A Different Perspective
Rigid partisanship may still influence reporting.