In newspaper parlance, sacred cow means
(A) Highlighting an inane issue
(B) Using many adjectives
(C) A favourable treatment to a story
(D) Management’s favour to an employee
Correct Ans: (C)
Explanation:
In journalism, a sacred cow refers to a news story that receives favorable treatment, often avoiding criticism or negative framing. Editors or reporters may present it positively due to political pressure, corporate interests, or personal biases. Therefore, sacred cows influence how the media shapes public perception.
Moreover, newspapers may treat certain topics or figures as sacred cows by avoiding controversy or omitting critical viewpoints. For example, a publication may portray a political leader in an overly positive light while ignoring flaws. Consequently, this practice affects media neutrality.
In addition, sacred cows exist in corporate media, government-affiliated news outlets, and even independent journalism. Some stories may be protected due to advertiser influence, ownership bias, or editorial policies. As a result, readers may not always receive a complete and balanced perspective.
Furthermore, ethical journalism discourages the sacred cow approach, emphasizing objective reporting and fair analysis. Investigative journalism often challenges this bias by uncovering hidden truths. Therefore, journalists should strive for transparency and accuracy in storytelling.
To conclude, a sacred cow in journalism represents a story given undue positive treatment, often affecting media objectivity. By recognizing this concept, readers can critically analyze news sources and identify potential biases. Therefore, ethical reporting must prioritize truth over favoritism.
