EOTO 3 Terms and Concepts

 Adversarial and Gotcha Journalism 

Adversarial Journalism 

A type of aggressive and antagonistic journalism with a goal of exposing scandal and wrongdoings. It is typically focused on higher ups and CEOs of companies and government officials. 

Adversarial Journalism has been used all throughout history. Some examples include, breaking up oil monopolies, passing stricter food and drug regulations, and exposing child labor abuses. 

“Gotcha” Journalism

Similar to adversarial journalism, but much more aggressive. Attempts to trap the person being interviewed in their own words and coerce them to make self damaging statements. 

The goal is to find short sound bites and quotes to harm one’s reputation. This is seen very frequently in presidential debates. 

The Good and the Bad

Adversarial Journalism 

• Press must be separate from government 

• We the people must be skeptical of government 

“Abridgment of owners' speech rights, either by legislation or by judicial opinion, is unconstitutional.”                                                              -heinonline.org

Gotcha Journalism 

• Media crosses the line, goes too far in setting up for embarrassment 

• Ask questions which seemingly have no good way to answer

• Found worldwide

• Press use of hidden cameras started in the 1920s to “add depth”      

• Morality and ethics are in question

—Copyright: 1995 University of Marylandhttp:/www.ajr.org/