The idea that journalists should be impartial in reporting news is a relatively recent one.

ECONOMIST: Impartiality

In both cases, staff have a duty to provide counselling to the women who use them - and under Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' guidelines that advice should be impartial, objective and unbiased.

BBC: Health ministers 'oppose abortion advice changes'

Government should be an impartial referee charged with protecting against fraud and theft, not from incompetence and complacency.

FORBES: Days Of Rage Over Affluence And Influence

In fact, some of you think I and other economic reporters at the BBC should be more impartial on the subject - and not treat every rise in GDP as such good news.

BBC: Should we forget about growth?

He should be acting in an impartial manner.

BBC: Smart recording pen