Journalism classes teach us that one must extract oneself from the story in order to report without bias, but often we need to be in the story in order to understand, to connect, to help the audience identify or else it has no heart; it could be a robot telling the story, for all anyone cares.
The essence of journalism is to report objectively, which often requires the journalist to remain detached from the story. However, this perspective overlooks the importance of emotional connection. To convey a compelling narrative, it is sometimes necessary for journalists to engage personally with the story. This involvement can foster a deeper understanding and allow audiences to relate to the content on a more human level.
Without this connection, journalism risks becoming impersonal and robotic, losing the heart that engages readers. As highlighted in Cecelia Ahern's book "One Hundred Names," stories resonate more when they embody genuine experiences and emotions. The crucial balance between detachment and involvement is what ultimately brings journalism to life.