It's my job as a reporter to not be about the business of making

Host: The room is filled with a quiet, reflective stillness, the soft glow of evening light creating long shadows on the floor. Outside, the hum of the city continues, but inside, the atmosphere feels intimate, almost as though the conversation is unfolding in a space all its own. Jeeny sits at the table, her fingers resting lightly on a notebook, her expression thoughtful. Jack stands near the window, arms crossed, watching the street below, his mind clearly engaged in thought.

Jeeny: (her voice gentle, yet filled with curiosity) “You ever think about how much bias or personal feelings can influence the way we see things? How easy it is for people to become more about making connections or taking sides than about seeking out the truth?”

Jack: (glancing over at her, his voice dry, but intrigued) “Bias, huh? Yeah, it’s easy to get caught up in who we like or don’t like, but what do you mean exactly?”

Jeeny: (nodding slowly, a small smile forming as she explains) “I was reading something by Stephen A. Smith, and it really stuck with me. He said, ‘It’s my job as a reporter to not be about the business of making friends or enemies but just be in the tireless pursuit of truth.’ It made me think about how important it is, especially in journalism, to separate personal feelings from the search for truth. It’s not about being liked or disliked—it’s about being committed to finding the facts, no matter where they lead.”

Jack: (pauses, his expression shifting as he processes her words) “So, he’s saying that his job isn’t to cater to personal relationships or opinions, but to focus solely on getting to the truth, no matter what that truth might be? That it’s about the facts, not the people involved?”

Jeeny: (smiling more deeply now, her voice gaining momentum as she explains further) “Exactly. As a reporter, his role isn’t to make friends or enemies—his role is to be relentlessly committed to the truth. That means putting aside biases, avoiding favoritism, and focusing on the bigger picture. The pursuit of truth doesn’t care about popularity or opinions; it only cares about uncovering what is real and factual.”

Host: Jeeny’s words seem to linger in the room, a quiet reminder of the responsibility that comes with the pursuit of truth. Jack stands still, his gaze softening as he considers the deeper meaning of what it means to approach the world with an open, unbiased perspective. The world outside continues its rhythm, but inside, the conversation feels more rooted in something foundational—integrity, objectivity, and the pursuit of what’s true.

Jack: (his voice quieter now, almost reflective) “I see it now. It’s easy to get caught up in opinions or personal biases, but when you’re focused on the truth, those things can’t get in the way. It’s about stripping away the noise and getting to what really matters. Not about who you agree with or who you upset, but about what’s actually true.”

Jeeny: (nodding, her eyes steady with understanding) “Exactly. When we prioritize the truth, we don’t let personal feelings cloud our judgment. That’s why truth, no matter how uncomfortable or inconvenient, is the most valuable thing we can pursue. The truth doesn’t have sides—it’s not about being liked or disliked—it’s about finding what’s real.”

Jack: (pauses, a small smile forming on his face as he reflects on the idea) “It’s a powerful idea, really. Focusing solely on the truth, even when it’s hard, even when it challenges our beliefs. That’s what makes someone truly objective and impartial.”

Jeeny: (smiling warmly, her voice gentle, yet full of quiet strength) “Exactly. It’s about being committed to what’s real, not what’s comfortable. And that’s where real integrity comes from—when we put aside personal bias and pursue the truth, no matter the cost.”

Host: The room feels quieter now, the weight of their conversation settling into a deeper understanding of the pursuit of truth. Jack turns from the window, his posture more relaxed, his mind clearly reflecting on the importance of objectivity and integrity. Jeeny watches him with a soft smile, knowing that the pursuit of truth is often the hardest, but most necessary path. The world outside continues its steady rhythm, but inside, there’s a shared recognition that truth, when prioritized, becomes a powerful tool that cuts through the noise of opinion and bias.