Many people don’t know this, but my journey began in two seemingly different realms—investigations as an amateur journalist and psychological well-being as a youth mentor. These paths, though distinct, share a common thread: the pursuit of truth and the well-being of humanity. Early in my career, I swore to speak the truth, an oath that guided my decisions and actions for decades.
One observation I’ve made over the years is the growing prevalence of what I call the "misnomer of neutrality." In our current generation, people tend to claim they are neutral and objective. However, the truth is that no one is truly objective. We all carry our own biases, shaped by our experiences, cultures, and personal beliefs. The key to wisdom lies in recognising and acknowledging these biases, especially when pursuing the truth.
In my various roles—investigating a story, mentoring, supervision or coaching, crisis management, expert analysis, or conducting sociological research—I’ve encountered situations where my moral compass sounded alarms. These alarms often warned me of chaos and mistrust, camouflaged as kindness and integrity. In such moments, the easy path would be to remain neutral and avoid rocking the boat. But neutrality can often be a mask for complacency, a way to avoid the difficult task of standing up for what is right.
Diplomacy is essential, yes. However, staying true to the moral compass that guides fields like journalism, psychology, sociology, and research is equally important. This commitment to truth sometimes requires taking an unpopular stand that demands significant moral courage in the face of strong opposition. But here’s the crucial point: being neutral differs from being truthful.
Today, I urge you to take courage and seek the truth. Don’t shy away from the responsibility of maintaining a solid ethical compass. Fake neutrality, which avoids discomfort or controversy, is not true objectivity—it’s complacency. It is possible to be truthful while still seeking balance and a middle ground.
In a world that often values the appearance of neutrality, let us not forget that real courage lies in standing up for the truth, even when it’s hard or unpopular. Be courageous, be truthful, and remember that a strong ethical compass is your greatest asset in any field.
- Dr Jessica Sneha Gray
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