Is it possible that these journalists may be affected by some personal bias or patriotism? How objective is this award and is this deciding method really the best?
It's very possible. I remind you, the Ballon D'or is just a magazine award. The journalists can vote for the players they know. It likes when i vote for my friend because he is my friend. I don't take this award seriously. Journalists's objectivity can be biased by the personal relationship toward the player.