![]() ![]() But readers are left to discern that from the headline (“Joe Biden Gets Paid-a Lot”) and the label (“ELECTIONS”).Ĭable news channels offer their own stew of news and opinion. ![]() It’s more of an opinion column than an analysis. Try the same for this National Review article, which makes an even stronger point about money in politics-that Joe Biden is ethically compromised because he got big bucks for speeches and is now running for president. Where does it fall on the Continuum of Journalism? There are clues in the writing and the headline that it’s got some partisan bias genre-wise, its only label is “POLITICS,” which preserves the possibility that readers will receive it as “objective news.” Imagine you’ve never read The Atlantic before and then randomly encounter this article, which makes the strong point that an “unconventional” presidential candidate might buy his way into the debates. The problem is magnified when readers’ lack of understanding about journalism’s genre bias collides with their partisan bias. A Facebook link can transport you to a story at an unfamiliar publication whose biases are unknown or not clearly labeled. Now, for many readers, online publishing amounts to a journalistic stew with ingredients they can’t be sure of. The magazine had a distinctive point of view-and, therefore, some bias. When readers picked up a magazine such as The Atlantic or National Journal, most understood they were getting something different than they got from their newspaper. Opinion columns were on the editorial or op-ed pages local columnists were on the front of the metro section. Newspaper readers traditionally got cues from the location of articles. They don’t know journalism terminology, and may not understand a label such as “News Analysis.” News organizations deserve some blame for that because, historically, they have done a poor job of explaining and differentiating between types of journalism. Readers seem particularly confused about articles in the middle. A fact-check is based on objective reporting propelled by the conviction that it’s wrong for politicians to lie. We like bias in these types of articles, and know to expect it.Īn investigative story, for instance, proceeds from the bias that a politician should not have a conflict of interest-a principle most people might agree with, but a bias nonetheless. Pieces on the “Opinion” end of the spectrum help us to explore our feelings on issues and sharpen our political views they soften our perspectives, or crystallize them. At the other end is “Opinion,” which includes articles by columnists, op-eds, TV and film reviews, and newspaper editorials. The continuum could easily be rebranded “The Bias Meter.” At one end is what I’ve labeled “Objective News”-stories that strive to present all points of view. In my courses at Duke, I begin each semester with a diagram I call the “Continuum of Journalism,” which includes a range of journalistic genres: op-eds, investigations, fact-checks, you name it. RECENTLY: A deadly year for Mexico’s journalists It just needs to be labeled and understood. Three-fourths of people cite bias as a factor in their mistrust of the news media, according to a 2018 Gallup survey for the Knight Foundation’s Trust, Media and Democracy project. These attacks eroded the credibility of the mainstream media and fueled the rise of conservative outlets. His idea made me chuckle-not just because of the technical difficulty of detecting something as subjective as bias, but because it is based on the widespread misconception that bias is bad.įor years, conservative critics have claimed that lefty journalists slant their coverage, and wrongly suggested that bias in journalism is always bad. Read each article, highlighting areas that you feel are biased.I got an email the other day from an engineer who wants to build a new website to weed out bias in journalism. Select two articles on the same topic-one written from a “left” (L) perspective and one written from a “right” (R) perspective. This site provides news from multiple perspectives to allow you to receive more balanced news.Īt the top of the webpage, click on “Topics & Dialog.” Select a topic that is of interest to you (e.g., gun control, terrorism, etc.). This will allow you to develop a well-rounded, informed opinion where bias is limited. It is normal to have a preferred source for news, but challenge yourself to frequently read or watch news stories from opposing viewpoints. For example, people with more conservative views tend to prefer Fox News while people with more liberal views tend to prefer MSNBC. Your political views will often determine which newspaper or news channel you prefer. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |