Agendas Quote by Tony Auth
“Our job is not to amuse our readers. Our mission is to stir them, inform and inflame them. Our task is to continually hold up our government and our leaders to clear-eyed analysis, unaffected by professional spinmeisters and agenda-pushers. In these times, when those of us who are members of the 'reality-based community' are under relentless attack from both the right and the left, we must encourage, and our work must reflect, independent and non-ideological thinking.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Opinion piece on journalism ethics, 2017
The quote emphasizes journalism’s duty to provoke thought, provide clear analysis, and remain independent from partisan bias.
In simple terms: Journalists should inform and challenge, not just entertain.
Prioritize truth and critical analysis over appeasement.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- news reporting
- editorial writing
- media watchdog work
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can journalists maintain independence while reaching broad audiences?
- What strategies help resist spin in reporting?
May be idealistic in highly polarized environments where audiences seek confirmation bias.