The Literary Journalist and Degrees of Detachment

The Literary Journalist and Degrees of Detachment: An Ethical Investigation, examines the complexities of the relationship between the writer and the subject. It does so in the context of the literary journalism genre, researching the role and influence of the narrator in the telling of a subject''s story. Further, it considers the various methods of maintaining differing degrees of detachment within the writer/subject relationship and against other factors such as ethical journalistic practice and the journalist''s role in upholding notions such as public interest and the public''s right to know. Within this investigation of ethical imperatives, the notion of ‘objectivity'' as it pertains to literary journalism, is examined. This book argues that aiming for accuracy, balance and fairness, in the name of public interest and the public''s right to know, is a credo all journalists should aspire to. To position these terms within the umbrella meaning of the word ‘objectivity'' must not be regarded as antithetical to journalism practice, but something worth practising and teaching.