by Project for Excellence in Journalism
It may be more interesting if there are three or four, rather than only two. In most stories there usually are more than two sides. Is the abortion debate, for example, really reflected in the arguments of the organized pro-life and pro-choice movements?
On the other hand, in stories which truly are two-sided, do the facts require you to give both equal weight? Think, for example, of the debate over whether global warming is a fact. There may be voices on both sides of the argument, but the preponderance of evidence and opinions argue it is occurring. How does this affect whom you should call and how much space sources should get in story?
