--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There's a fine line between balanced…" description: "\"There's a fine line between balanced journalism and trial by television.\" — Joe Berlinger" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da6/joe-berlinger-27056_balanced_there-s-a-fine-line-between-balanced-jou_2837374.jpg" --- # There's a fine line between balanced journalism and trial… ![“There's a fine line between balanced journalism and trial by television.” quote by Joe Berlinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da6/joe-berlinger-27056_balanced_there-s-a-fine-line-between-balanced-jou_2837374.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da6/joe-berlinger-27056_balanced_there-s-a-fine-line-between-balanced-jou_2837374.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da6/joe-berlinger-27056_balanced_there-s-a-fine-line-between-balanced-jou_2837374.jpg) > “There's a fine line between balanced journalism and trial by television.” [Joe Berlinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-berlinger/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote warns that media can become a spectacle, blurring the line between objective reporting and entertainment. **In simple terms:** News can become a TV show. Key Takeaway Prioritize factual reporting over sensationalism. Themes media journalism television ethics public perception Mood thoughtful critical Type informative ethical When to use this quote - news broadcasts - social media - court cases - political scandals Key Concepts media sensationalism trial by media journalistic integrity Questions to Reflect On - How can journalists resist sensational pressure? - What responsibilities do viewers have? A Different Perspective It may ignore the role of audience demand. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fine line](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fine-line/) [Fine lines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fine-lines/) [Journalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journalism/) [Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television/) [Trials](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trials/) ## Related quotes > [The heightened public clamor resulting from radio and television coverage will inevitably result in prejudice. Trial by television is, therefore, foreign to our system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-c-clark/the-heightened-public-clamor-resulting-from-radio-and-television/) [Tom C. Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-c-clark/) > [There's a very fine line between underacting and not acting at all. And not acting is what a lot of actors are guilty of.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-blondell/there-s-a-very-fine-line-between-underacting-and-not-acting-at-all/) [Joan Blondell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-blondell/) > [A chasm reminds us that there is a fine line between bravery and idiocy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/a-chasm-reminds-us-that-there-is-a-fine-line-between-bravery-and/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“As I speak, his fingers trail down my arm. I’m just so relieved he’s willing to touch me after I’ve told him this. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-jordan/as-i-speak-his-fingers-trail-down-my-arm-i-m-just-so-relieved-he-s/) [Sophie Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-jordan/) > [I'm losing touch with reality and I'm almost out of blow. It's such a fine line, I hate to see it go. Cocaine, runnin'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackson-browne/i-m-losing-touch-with-reality-and-i-m-almost-out-of-blow-it-s-such-a/) [Jackson Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackson-browne/) > [Arrogance is a killer, and wearing ambition on one's sleeve can have the same effect. There is a fine line between arrogance and self-confidence.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/arrogance-is-a-killer-and-wearing-ambition-on-one-s-sleeve-can-have/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [“Her hair is longer now, and fine lines bracket her mouth, parentheses around a lifetime of words I was not around to hear.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/her-hair-is-longer-now-and-fine-lines-bracket-her-mouth-parentheses/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [Life is that perfect fine line between ironies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serj-tankian/life-is-that-perfect-fine-line-between-ironies/) [Serj Tankian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serj-tankian/) > [In the sense that Watchmen references movies, comic books, pop culture in general. It knows it's a movie. I really do like movies that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zack-snyder/in-the-sense-that-watchmen-references-movies-comic-books-pop-culture/) [Zack Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zack-snyder/) > [There is a fine line between passion and gas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-goldblum/there-is-a-fine-line-between-passion-and-gas/) [Jeff Goldblum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-goldblum/) > [There is a very fine line between love and nausea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-earl-jones/there-is-a-very-fine-line-between-love-and-nausea/) [James Earl Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-earl-jones/) > [Don't hoo, hoo, hoo me. 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If you draw conclusions too quickly or too slowly, you’ll establish your self where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-de-ruiter/your-deeper-sense-isn-t-a-springboard-it-s-a-landing-place-if-you/) [John de Ruiter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-de-ruiter/) ## More by Joe Berlinger > [The Metallica film was like this incredible life experience where I learned the most through guys that stereotypically you would think couldn't offer much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-berlinger/the-metallica-film-was-like-this-incredible-life-experience-where-i/) [Joe Berlinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-berlinger/) > [I mean, "The Jinx" is an amazing piece of cinema and amazing television moment, it's rare documentarians can feel the direct impact of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-berlinger/i-mean-the-jinx-is-an-amazing-piece-of-cinema-and-amazing-television/) [Joe Berlinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-berlinger/) > [I never believe I'm presenting objective reality; I also don't want to delude people into thinking that my subject is talking directly to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-berlinger/i-never-believe-i-m-presenting-objective-reality-i-also-don-t-want-to/) [Joe Berlinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-berlinger/) > [I'm an observer in life, not a participant. 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The moral responsibility is certainly at its door. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-berlinger/chevron-has-wrapped-itself-in-some-pretty-good-arguments-that-make/) [Joe Berlinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-berlinger/) > [If people spend two hours thinking about the direction of their own lives and can relate to the stories they see on screen, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-berlinger/if-people-spend-two-hours-thinking-about-the-direction-of-their-own/) [Joe Berlinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-berlinger/) > [The filmmaker is not telling you what to think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-berlinger/the-filmmaker-is-not-telling-you-what-to-think/) [Joe Berlinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-berlinger/) > [You have to remain open to the situation that you're filming otherwise you might miss the story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-berlinger/you-have-to-remain-open-to-the-situation-that-you-re-filming/) [Joe Berlinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-berlinger/) > [The world is watching, and you better be fair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-berlinger/the-world-is-watching-and-you-better-be-fair/) [Joe Berlinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-berlinger/) > [I don't know the facts surrounding Andrew Jarecki's work. I think it's a triumph of television. But it does raise troubling issues that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-berlinger/i-don-t-know-the-facts-surrounding-andrew-jarecki-s-work-i-think-it-s/) [Joe Berlinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-berlinger/) > [Life is much more complex than the black-and-white sound bites that you get on television. There are nuances and shades of gray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-berlinger/life-is-much-more-complex-than-the-black-and-white-sound-bites-that/) [Joe Berlinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-berlinger/) > [What you hope, what you're trusting the filmmaker to do, is to capture the emotional truth of the situation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-berlinger/what-you-hope-what-you-re-trusting-the-filmmaker-to-do-is-to-capture/) [Joe Berlinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-berlinger/) > [I'm a filmmaker who is known for these ambiguous portraits that tell multiple sides of the story without really telling the audience what to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-berlinger/i-m-a-filmmaker-who-is-known-for-these-ambiguous-portraits-that-tell/) [Joe Berlinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-berlinger/) [Explore all 21 Joe Berlinger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-berlinger/) ## More Balanced quotes > [There were moments, of course. 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The first step is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-doblin/the-cultural-integration-of-psychedelics-won-t-happen-overnight-and/) [Rick Doblin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-doblin/) > [While opponents label (Howard) Dean a throwback liberal, The New York Times recently noted that as governor, Dean cut income taxes, reformed welfare and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-stewart/while-opponents-label-howard-dean-a-throwback-liberal-the-new-york/) [Jon Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-stewart/) > [Defense spending as a share of the economy dropped significantly during the early 1990s, and that was one of the things, along with other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-orszag/defense-spending-as-a-share-of-the-economy-dropped-significantly/) Peter Orszag > [All fits of pleasure are balanced by an equal degree of pain or languor; it is like spending this year part of the next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/all-fits-of-pleasure-are-balanced-by-an-equal-degree-of-pain-or/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [The most significant halachic authority of the last 100 years, whose positions helped fashion a balanced and moderate Judaism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovadia-yosef/the-most-significant-halachic-authority-of-the-last-100-years-whose/) [Ovadia Yosef](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovadia-yosef/) > [Youth is seen as everything. 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But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-sims/i-do-try-to-watch-it-i-m-not-saying-you-have-to-put-yourself-on-a/) [Molly Sims](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-sims/) Browse all 909 Balanced quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There's a fine line between balanced journalism and trial by television.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joe Berlinger" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-berlinger/there-s-a-fine-line-between-balanced-journalism-and-trial-by/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Balanced" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-berlinger/there-s-a-fine-line-between-balanced-journalism-and-trial-by/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da6/joe-berlinger-27056_balanced_there-s-a-fine-line-between-balanced-jou_2837374.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da6/joe-berlinger-27056_balanced_there-s-a-fine-line-between-balanced-jou_2837374.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da6/joe-berlinger-27056_balanced_there-s-a-fine-line-between-balanced-jou_2837374.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There's a fine line between balanced journalism and trial by television.” — Joe Berlinger", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Joe Berlinger", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-berlinger/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There's a fine line between balanced...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-berlinger/there-s-a-fine-line-between-balanced-journalism-and-trial-by/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-berlinger/there-s-a-fine-line-between-balanced-journalism-and-trial-by/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```