What does it mean to be objective?

• A. Objective information includes verifiable facts such as address, color of vehicle, and date and time.
• B. Objective information includes opinions from witnesses
• C. Objective information includes rumors
• D. Objective information includes speculation about guilt

Answer: (A)

Objectivity means sticking to facts that can be observed, verified, or documented, rather than personal opinions or unverified ideas. In reporting, that translates to including details that can be confirmed by what you saw or by records—things like the exact address, the color of a vehicle, and the date and time. These are verifiable, independent of who is writing the report, and they can be checked against evidence or other sources.

Information that comes from opinions, rumors, or speculation about guilt is not objective because it reflects interpretations, hearsay, or assumptions rather than verifiable data. Relying on those elements can bias the account and undermine the usefulness and credibility of the report. Keeping to objective details helps ensure accuracy, fairness, and reliability in an investigation.