What is bias?

Socials 10

Bias (general definition):

To be or to show prejudice towards others.

Personal opinion either for or against a group, race, or creed.

Example: As a Canucks fan, you want the

Bruins to lose every game this season.

Some Types of Bias Economic: When

People/Government interpret a law in their favor for economic reasons.

Cultural: interpreting and judging something in terms of one's own culture.

Sensationalist: emphasizing, distorting, or fabricating exceptional news to boost commercial ratings.

Funding: in scientific studies.

What is Media Bias?

the bias of journalists and news producers within the mass media, in the selection of which events and stories are reported and how they are covered. it has been a feature of the mass media since its birth with the invention of the printing press.

“There are two sides to every story...” How does Media Bias

happen? Bias by Commission- passing along facts that

support one side of an argument and not the other

Bias by Omission- leaving out facts Bias by Story Selection- the stories chosen Bias by Placement- placing news stories in a

way that highlights a certain viewpoint Bias by Selection of Sources- using sources

that support your viewpoint more than the other.

Example: Political Bias

What isn’t Media Bias?

Editorials or opinion columns

Stories or statements that make the one side look bad, but are accurate

Non-policy stories on a specific event that don't have to be balanced

Activity Time!

“Bias in the News”

pg.98-99 in Horizons.

1. Read the intro as a class.

2. Individually read the two accounts.

3. Complete questions #1-5.