What's The Need For A "Devil's Advocate" In Journalism?

The position of devil's advocate is a very important role in the world. It's an essential part of any debate, discussion, or other such activity where two people are trying to find common ground by finding issues that both can agree on and then use those points as leverage for negotiation.

In journalism, we call it 'balance.' If there is one side saying something with no counterargument, then it becomes easy for readers to dismiss what they're being told. So, the devil's advocate needs to be there. To say things that are critical of the main point and make sure that it's not too biased towards one side of the story.

The journalist should never have to rely only on their opinion, which might lead them to bias or favoritism. They need to go beyond that and also look at all sides of the story.

If you are looking at something that has been a topic for debate and discussion over time, then it is always good to keep track of how this issue has evolved over time. And yes, this means the opposition view will come in handy when you try to understand why opinions about certain topics change over time.

I am not talking here about just any old news article. I am talking about the ones that really matter like politics, wars, elections, major policies and so on. You don't want to write an article based on your own personal opinion, right? You want to present facts that are unbiased, fair, and objective. This is where you need to have someone who can give you the opposing view, if possible.

There is a big difference between writing something with your own thoughts and feelings in mind and writing something that is completely objective. When you are doing something that matters – even if it is something that doesn't affect you directly – you need to think about the impact it could have on society as a whole.

So, one way to do this is to hire a devil's advocate. Someone who can help you stay impartial while also giving you a different perspective.

One thing that I've noticed is that most people will take up the role of devil's advocate if asked to by the person who is holding the meeting or debate. But I've seen more than one occasion where journalists will take up the role without being asked. Why is that?

Well, for some reason, many journalists seem to enjoy debating things and giving their views. That's great! Most journalists are smart and articulate individuals. And while debates can sometimes get heated and emotional, they can be fun too. Some journalists actually relish the opportunity to put forward alternative perspectives.

It's natural to assume that the Devil's Advocate is there to argue against the main point. But, that isn't true. What the Devil's Advocate is supposed to do is give a different point of view. But it does not mean that he/she will necessarily oppose the main point.

For instance, let's say you are covering a rally or protest. The main point would be the fact that this event is happening and why. The opposition would probably be to the fact that this rally is taking place.

So, the role of the Devil's Advocate is to provide counter arguments to the main point. So, instead of arguing against the main point, the Devil's Advocate argues for a similar point, but from a different angle.

This is where it gets tricky. A good devil's advocate needs to know what they are talking about. They need to be able to back up their points with facts and figures. And in order to do that, they'll probably spend some time researching the topic before the debate starts.

So, when I say research, I'm not talking about reading a few articles or watching a video. I am talking about going through archives, digging out old newspaper clippings and other such stuff.

Research is key to giving a good devil's advocate. The best devil's advocates read widely and deeply. They know the history of a particular subject as well as its current status.

And, because they love to debate, they should also be good at engaging in discussions. They should be able to listen carefully to what others have to say. And because they are passionate about certain subjects, they should be able to express themselves confidently.

What Makes An Effective Devil's Advocate?

When you think about it, the devil's advocate shouldn't really have any advantages or disadvantages. The role is meant to provide balance to the debate. The devil's advocate is not there to win arguments. He is not there to prove his point right.

But the devil's advocate can still have a lot of advantages. First, people tend to trust him more. Because he is challenging the main point rather than supporting it. People can see the main point and the opposite point of view from the same person. It makes the debate much more interesting.

Second, it helps the devil's advocate to stand out. Because, after all, there will be times when he will be the only person challenging the main point. This gives him a chance to talk about his/her ideas and to share them with the group. In other words, he stands to gain a lot from the role.

Third, the devil's advocate is often allowed to ask questions during the debate. This means he will get the opportunity to speak more. Of course, this depends on the nature of the debate. If it is a small group meeting, then everyone will have a chance to speak. But if there are ten people attending the meeting, then it is unlikely that everybody will have a chance to speak.

Fourth, the devil's advocate will usually be given a seat at the front of the room. This is because he is always expected to challenge the main point. Also, it means he will be able to address the entire group.

Fifth, the devil's advocate will probably get to pick the topics that are discussed. After all, he has the most interest in those areas. Sixth, he can use his/her position to raise issues that he thinks are important or relevant. And, finally, the devil's advocate is likely to be invited to future meetings. This is because people want to hear from someone like him.

It's worth pointing out that, in many cases, the devil's advocate will be called upon to discuss hot-button topics.