Important news has to be 100% accurately reported. We strive for accuracy in all news, but if you make a small mistake with how you quote or source an article in Science or Entertainment, it is less serious than if you make even a very small mistake reporting on politics or anything that has legal importance. Important stories require 100% accuracy in quotes, statement of fact, and sources.
If you are reporting on a country or company person you don’t like, and you suspect you might write negatively because of your feelings, find something you like about that entity. You might feel you have to write an article about a separate subject which makes you feel positive about the entity before you write other articles about hotter topics.
Try to understand the point of view of each entity you are covering. This alone can make a great journalist, as long as the journalist can also properly write a basic news article. It takes time and energy which in the rush of writing most people don’t want to spend, and most people also don’t want to try to understand the point of view of people the disagree with or don’t understand. But those people all have a reason, even if the reason is weak or ignorant. These are skills that can be built up by simply spending a small block of time and energy on them at regular intervals.
For example, if you give yourself 5 minutes every time you write a story to try to understand the point of view of the people and entities involved. At first, it will be difficult and unfruitful, as you have your own personal barriers to overcome, and it’s a new skill to move into the person of another and see things from there. But although the first time might be difficult and without much results, if you keep going, you will adapt and get used to doing this. Keep in mind, it is what will make you better. Not understanding the points of view of others will not make you better, and might make you worse.
Follow the money.
Think about who could have been pressured to do what.
Avoid writing about or mentioning the Pandemic, Covid, etc. It is not interesting. We will only write about it when the story requires it, but even then we will limit as much as possible our mention of it. It is a boring and tiresome thing to read about already. Let them get that news somewhere else: I’m sure they already are getting more than they want of it.