Disadvantages of new journalism

New Journalism, also known as New Journalism Movement, was a style of journalism that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s, characterized by a more personal and subjective approach to storytelling. While it brought about many innovations and improvements in journalism, it also had some disadvantages. Here are some of the disadvantages of New Journalism:

1. Lack of objectivity: New Journalism's emphasis on personal experience and subjective interpretation led to a blurring of the lines between reporting and opinion. This made it difficult for readers to distinguish between fact and opinion.
2. Overemphasis on style: The focus on literary style and creative writing techniques sometimes overshadowed the importance of factual accuracy and thorough reporting.
3. Sensationalism: The pursuit of a good story often led to sensationalism, which could compromise the integrity of the reporting and the credibility of the journalist.
4. Lack of accountability: The subjective nature of New Journalism made it difficult to hold journalists accountable for their reporting. This led to concerns about the reliability of the information presented.
5. Difficulty in verifying facts: The emphasis on personal experience and anecdotal evidence made it challenging to verify the facts presented in a story. This could lead to inaccuracies and misinformation.
6. Overemphasis on the journalist: The focus on the journalist's personal experience and perspective sometimes overshadowed the story itself, making it more about the journalist than the subject matter.
7. Limited scope: New Journalism's emphasis on personal experience and subjective interpretation limited its scope and ability to cover complex, nuanced issues.
8. Difficulty in reaching a broad audience: The literary style and subjective approach of New Journalism made it challenging to reach a broad audience, particularly those who were not familiar with literary journalism.
9. Criticism from traditional journalists: Traditional journalists and editors often criticized New Journalism for its lack of objectivity, sensationalism, and emphasis on style over substance.
10. Impact on traditional journalism: The rise of New Journalism led to a decline in traditional journalism, as many newspapers and magazines began to adopt a more literary and subjective approach to reporting.

Despite these disadvantages, New Journalism played an important role in shaping the direction of journalism and paved the way for future innovations in storytelling.