The moderator gave very clear instructions to a panel of editors at a gathering of Christian media professionals. "Your topic is ‘beware the objective reporter,'" she began. "I want each of you to make a two to three-minute opening statement that leaves people leaping to their feet saying, ‘but, but...'"

Well, leaving people saying "but, but..." comes naturally to some of us. So when my turn came I waded into the fray with my bottom line statement right up top. "The best bias," I said, "begins with the Bible." As you might expect, I sounded a bit smug about the cute alliteration, but I also wanted to develop the statement for my peers.

Hearkening to the Bible as a basis for bias may make ultimate good sense in church circles, but it's a tougher sell in the broader media marketplace.

Many media professionals are inclined to marginalize the Christian press, if only because most Christian publications serve agendas other than journalism. They may be more interested in promoting evangelism or some mission that, from a secular news perspective, is purely sectarian. On the other hand, few Christian publications consider mainstream credibility as a key criterion for their storytelling.

But even religiously committed reporters want their work to stand on its own merits in mainstream circles. We do not want to think we are judged by lesser standards, that our personal faith somehow undermines our ability to report truthfully about faith-based institutions and faith-related issues.

And, truth be told, I firmly believe that a committed Christian believer is actually better equipped than a secular person to be a good reporter. Good reporting must be profoundly honest, which is a thoroughly biblical precept that demands transparency, accuracy and fairness.

Bias inevitable

No reporter ever comes to any article with a blank slate. Every one of us has a base of knowledge that inclines us to think one way or another; each has a worldview shaped by upbringing, education and experience. No matter who we are, we are passionate about some things; indifferent to others. We are inclined to believe one set of facts; disinclined to give credence to another. We will be apt to consult certain sources, but oblivious to others that may very well offer significant insight.

All this constitutes bias. It tilts the article in a particular direction. It presents a certain slant on things.

This need not be considered a bad thing. Every article needs an angle; nothing we ever write can be truly comprehensive. Let's just come to terms with the fact of bias and do what we can to deal well with it. Reputable journalists will learn to recognize and acknowledge their own predispositions. They will then work to channel their bias in a way that serves their readers well.

This begins with accuracy and fairness, never an easy assignment. Accuracy involves reporting that

communicates truthfully, is properly precise and avoids error. Reporting accurately requires certain basic skills, but it also demands discipline. It takes sustained hard work to gain the knowledge accuracy involves.

But good information-gathering skills and hard work do not add up to accuracy. Several other factors need to be present, not the least of which are discernment and integrity. A reasonable level of awareness and acumen is required to use knowledge effectively and write accurately. And once the facts are on the table, so to speak, reporters must be able to work with what they discover, which may or may not be what they were hoping for.

Accuracy is essential to credibility. It is not always welcome, but it is deeply wanted. Readers learn to trust reporters who nurture the habits that generate accurate accounts.

Fairness essential

It's also important for biased reporters to be fair. This means treating people and ideas with all the respect and deference they properly deserve. It requires an element of impartiality, a willingness to step away from one's own position to fully consider the merits of another.

Fairness is what we expect from others, but are frequently loathe to repay in kind. Even our best notions of what is fair inevitably vary from person to person, situation to situation and culture to culture. And this is precisely where I confidently state my own bias and assert that the best bias begins with the Bible, mainly because the Christian holy book promotes and upholds very high standards of fairness.

A basic tenet of biblical faith is the command to love our neighbours as ourselves. Fairness can only thrive where our natural impulse to serve our own needs is subjugated to the needs and interests of others. The Bible also commands against unfair behaviour such as lying (very bad for anyone, but especially for reporters) or stealing, which we can do by plagiarizing or by focusing public attention inappropriately.

A biblical worldview acknowledges that while a complete understanding of any given story is beyond any of us, final truth does exist and can, conceivably, be known. It's a concept that gives great hope to a journalist. God, who is Truth, wants to be known.

The Bible encourages us to discover truth. It teaches self-discipline, prescribes rhythms of work and worship, demands integrity and champions justice. In each of these areas, it is nurturing qualities essential to good reporting, providing a recipe for fairness and accuracy. The best bias takes its cues from the Bible.