Up To Date

As Journalists Scramble To Cover George Floyd Protests Fairly, Questions About Objectivity Arise

By Steve Kraske,

Chris Young, Mackenzie Martin

Published June 22, 2020 at 2:17 PM CDT

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Protest organizer Keji Akinmoladun, center, is consoled after a protester is arrested during the early stages of the protest Saturday. — In Kansas City, Missouri, someone lit a 41 Action News vehicle on fire during protests against the killing of George Floyd. Journalists in other cities were beaten, pepper-sprayed, and arrested alongside other members of the public.

What are journalists' responsibilities to the public in times like this? Is being objective even a realistic goal? The Media Critics are in.

While covering national protests against police violence, journalists have been attacked and arrested in recent weeks.

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Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Chris Young

Chris Young is an Assistant Producer for KCUR’s Up To Date. Contact him at chrisy@kcur.org.

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Mackenzie Martin

As senior podcast producer for KCUR Studios and a host of A People’s History of Kansas City, I interview everyday people and dig through old newspaper articles to unearth stories of the visionaries and renegades who created this region. I focus on bringing the past to life, so we can all better understand the city we live in today. Email me at mackenzie@kcur.org.

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