Table of contents
- Bias by Omission
- Bias by Selection of Sources
- Bias by Story Selection
- Summary
- References
What exactly is Media Bias? Media bias is the taking of one side in reporting news. It occurs when bias in journalism, in programming selection on stations, or otherwise in mass communications media. I believe that media bias is wrong and it definitely a tool that is used for more evil than good, especially in the political world. Throughout my life, I always had conservative beliefs and listened to conservative news, but I more heavily watched and obtained my televised news from liberal mediums. I actually used the media bias as a tool and an asset to help me get the whole truth and hear both sides of the story.
Bias by Omission
Omission is the taking something out of something. Leaving one side out of an article, or a series of articles over a period of time is just an example of bias by omission. Say NBC had a report that disproved their claim, they would omit and ignore the facts. Bias by omission can occur either within a story, or over the long term as a particular news outlet reports one set of events, but not another. To find instances of bias by omission, be aware of the conservative and liberal perspectives on current issues. See if both the conservative and liberal perspectives are included in stories on a particular event or policy. I personally don’t like omission. When you report with omission, you allow for half of the truth to be told when you have an ethical obligation to report the whole truth.
Bias by Selection of Sources
Selection of sources is picking sources that will help the story form for your side of the story. It is a very one sided and sneaky way to get people to sway to your story. This bias can also be seen when a reporter uses such phrases as “experts believe”, “observers say,” or “most people believe”. Experts in news stories are like expert witnesses in trials. If you know whether the defense or the prosecution called a particular expert witness to the stand, you know which way the witness will testify. To find bias by use of experts or sources, stay alert to the affiliations and political perspective of those quoted as experts or authorities in news stories. Not all stories will include experts, but in those that do, make sure about an equal number of conservatives and liberals are quoted. If a story quotes non-expert, such as those portrayed as average citizens, check to be sure that about an equal number come from both sides of the issue in question. This is a pretty easy one to fact check and really find out the whole truth. NBC is known for using “Experts believe or say.”
Bias by Story Selection
Story selection is using stories that follow the values and beliefs of the wing (left or right) to persuade viewers of the correct side. To identify bias by story selection you’ll need to know both of the conservative and liberal sides of the issue. For example, if a liberal group puts out a study proving a liberal point, look at how much coverage it got compared to a conservative study issued a few days or weeks earlier, or vice versa. Unlike the other 2 forms of media bias, this is the hardest to tell when viewing. This form requires you to do your research and homework to find out the truth and make inferences yourself.
Summary
In summary, and looking back over all 3 types, there really is no good type of bias. To me, you have an ethical obligation to the human race to give the fairest story for the population to believe. People are sheep, they are going to believe everything they read and watch. I personally check the stories to look for omission, story selection, and sources.
References
- Baker, B. H., Graham, T., & Kaminsky, S. (1996). How to identify, expose & correct liberal media bias. Alexandria, VA: Media Research Center
- Boundless. (n.d.). Boundless Political Science. Retrieved October 16, 2019, from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-politicalscience/chapter/media-bias/.
- Media Bias. (n.d.). Retrieved October 16, 2019, from https://www.studentnewsdaily.com/types-of-media-bias/.
- media-bias. (n.d.). Retrieved October 15, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/media-bias.
Did you like this example?
Yes
No
Cite this paper
The Types Of Bias In Media.
(2021, September 07). Edubirdie. Retrieved December 23, 2024, from https://edubirdie.com/examples/the-types-of-bias-in-media/
“The Types Of Bias In Media.” Edubirdie, 07 Sept. 2021, edubirdie.com/examples/the-types-of-bias-in-media/
The Types Of Bias In Media. [online].
Available at: <https://edubirdie.com/examples/the-types-of-bias-in-media/> [Accessed 23 Dec. 2024].
The Types Of Bias In Media [Internet]. Edubirdie.
2021 Sept 07 [cited 2024 Dec 23].
Available from: https://edubirdie.com/examples/the-types-of-bias-in-media/
copy
Stuck on your essay?
