October 2015 LSAT Section 2 Question 15

Journalism's purpose is to inform people about matters relevant to the choices they must make. Yet, clearly, people o...

@MichaelaJ on October 12, 2023

Why not B?

Hello- I am not understanding why B is incorrect. If the journalist's purpose is to inform individuals about matters that are relevant to the choices they make, wouldn't having sensationalistic gossip prevent them from achieving that purpose? Why wouldn't this complete the passage?

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Emil-Kunkin on October 12, 2023

I think it's kosher for something not to achieve a purpose, but also not to prevent it. My purpose might be to go to the grocery store, but if I stop along the way for soft serve I haven't been prevented from achieving my purpose. I think we have the same issue here. While gossip clearly doesn't serve the interest of journalism, it doesn't have to be actively working against those interests, it could be neutral.

@MichaelaJ on October 13, 2023

So why answer choice A? I am not understanding how that fits in.

Emil-Kunkin on October 13, 2023

Good question. So we know that gossip neither serves nor opposed the interests of journalism. The critical part here is that it doesn't serve the interest of journalism. So, if it isn't included for journalistic reasons, it must be included for some other reasons.