World Iss

ues

FactVS

FactFact:◦something that actually exists; reality; truth.

◦The usual test for a statement of fact is whether or not it can be verified.

◦Experiments are used to verify scientific facts.

Opinion:o is a subjective belief, and is the result of

emotion or interpretation of facts.

o the result of a person's perspective, understanding, particular feelings, beliefs, and desires. - BIASED

o refers to unsubstantiated information

a particular tendency or inclination, especially one that prevents unprejudiced consideration of a question; prejudice.

to cause partiality or favoritism in (a person); influence, especially unfairly.

to give a settled and often prejudiced outlook.

a particular tendency or inclination, especially one that prevents unprejudiced consideration of a question; prejudice.

to cause partiality or favoritism in (a person); influence, especially unfairly.

to give a settled and often prejudiced outlook.

The bias of JOURNALISTS and NEWS PRODUCERS within the MASS MEDIA.

This occurs in the selection of which events and stories are reported and HOW they are covered.

Media Bias occurs when the media SYSTEMATICALLY presents a particular point of view.

The bias of JOURNALISTS and NEWS PRODUCERS within the MASS MEDIA.

This occurs in the selection of which events and stories are reported and HOW they are covered.

Media Bias occurs when the media SYSTEMATICALLY presents a particular point of view.

Dalton's Fiberals: Blizzard - By Christina Blizzard Toronto Sun - Tuesday, September 13, 2011

IF ELECTION PLATFORMS WERE SMALL FURRY MAMMALS, THE PLANS THE LIBERALS SET OUT IN THE VOTES OF 2003 AND 2007 WOULD BE WEASELS.

PROMISES ... PROMISES ... THE LIBERALS HAVE BROKEN SO MANY THEY’VE BEEN DUBBED THE FIBERALS.

THEY SWEPT TO POWER IN 2003 ON A WAVE OF FEEL-GOOD VOWS.

MANY OF THEM WERE LAUGHABLE IN THEIR CHILDISH APPROACH TO GOVERNMENT. OR WERE THEY CYNICALLY MANIPULATED AND OVER-SIMPLIFIED IN A SUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO WOO GULLIBLE VOTERS?

THE KEY PLEDGE WE ALL REMEMBER WAS WHEN DALTON MCGUINTY LOOKED US IN THE EYE AND PLEDGED HE WOULDN’T RAISE OUR TAXES, “ONE CENT,” IF HE BECAME PREMIER.

VOTERS BOUGHT THAT PLEDGE — BIG TIME.

ELECTRICITY WAS AS BIG AN ISSUE IN 2003 — AS IT IS NOW.

IT WAS THE YEAR OF THE GREAT HYDRO BLACK-OUT THAT PLUNGED THE ENTIRE EASTERN SEABOARD INTO DARKNESS.

THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN OHIO AND HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SYSTEM HERE. STILL, ELECTRICITY BECAME A HOT ISSUE, AND MCGUINTY PLEDGED TO CAP HYDRO RATES AT 4.3 CENTS A KILOWATT HOUR UNTIL 2006. THE SECOND MAJOR PIECE OF LEGISLATION THEY

INTRODUCED ENDED THAT.

Liberal Bias: Occurs when Liberal ideas [Democratic Party] have influence on the

coverage or selection of news stories. CBS / ABC / NBC / CNN / Newsweek / New York Times

Conservative bias: Occurs when Conservative ideas [Republican Party] have influence on the

coverage or selection of news stories. Disney / Time Warner / Fox news

Liberal Bias: Occurs when Liberal ideas [Democratic Party] have influence on the

coverage or selection of news stories. CBS / ABC / NBC / CNN / Newsweek / New York Times

Conservative bias: Occurs when Conservative ideas [Republican Party] have influence on the

coverage or selection of news stories. Disney / Time Warner / Fox news

Media’s portrayal of black people as “less than” – their accomplishments become marginalized

Research shows that African- Americans are over represented in news reports on crime and are more likely to be shown as the perpetrators than victims.

Constant references to President Obama being the 1st BLACK president.

Media’s portrayal of black people as “less than” – their accomplishments become marginalized

Research shows that African- Americans are over represented in news reports on crime and are more likely to be shown as the perpetrators than victims.

Constant references to President Obama being the 1st BLACK president.

Argument manipulation is accomplished through such strategies as SCAPEGOATING, FALSE ANALOGIES, EXTREME EXAMPLES, and others.

The degree to which media or advocates of a position rely on strategies is an indication of the VALIDITY of an argument and making a judgment on an issue.

Assigning Blame

Avoids responsibility

Us / ThemWeak / Strong

Good / Bad

Encourages distrust, suspicion: presents limited and false choices

Arising from or appealing to the emotions and not reason or logic of

an argument.

Judgment based on who said something rather than on the merit of

the statement.Attacking an opponent’s motives or character rather than the policy or

position they maintain.

Creating a caricature of a person or group; Subject

becomes anonymous

A false representation of an individual or group in order to

demonize an opponent.

Appeals to emotion – patriotism, nationalism:

not logical

Forces a choice by presenting only 2 possibilities

This tactic IGNORES the middle and any alternative

choices

Designed to damage credibility [discredit] and individual, group

or situation; creates a false impression.

Analogy: a comparison between two things usually based on their structure and used for the

purpose of explanation

FALSE Analogy: when a comparison / connection

between two things is inappropriate, misleading or fictitious .

Used to prove a point, to slant or BIAS an argument in order to

support a prejudice

Make situations seem MUCH BETTER or FAR WORSE than

they are in reality

“Toronto is a huge dirty city full of crime.”

What are some clues that tell us this is BIASED and MANIPULATIVE ?

[what strategies of manipulation are being used ?]

How could we rewrite this sentence to remove bias and manipulation?

Activity Handout: 1. Identify the “strategy” used in each statement.2. Rewrite the sentences to eliminate bias and any strategic manipulation.

Activity Handout: 1. Identify the “strategy” used in each statement.2. Rewrite the sentences to eliminate bias and any strategic manipulation.

S tate the issue (might be helpful to rephrase as a question)

I dentify the stakeholders (who is directly or indirectly

affected by this issue?)

D ifferent point of views (or “answers”) for each of the

stakeholders

E valuate each different points of view (facts vs.

opinions, biases)

S olution (s) ?????

S: Global Warming must be addressed immediately

I: Industries / Governments of developed and developing countries

D: Economic difficulty / hinders country’s development

E: Cost analysis / validity of data / Social impact

S: Alternative fuels / government rebates / personal impact reduction

Read the article provided

Analyse the article using the “S.I.D.E.S” format

State the Issue◦“Why is the media aiding censorship in China?”

I dentify the stakeholders◦Chinese population◦Media corporation◦Chinese government◦Internet users

D ifferent points of views◦Chinese population – powerless◦Media – profit◦Government – propaganda◦Internet users – invasion of privacy

E valuate◦ Yahoo – only business◦ Chinese Government – trading secrets/security◦ Global significance – corporate censorship and

selling of information Preventing availability of information re: human rights

S olutions ???◦ Boycott companies re: advertisements◦ Boycott Yahoo◦ …….

Did you know? Toronto is the only city in North America with 3 independently owned daily newspaper. Even in other major cities where there may be several dailies, some of these newspapers are owned by the same parent corporation.

1. Using the internet, go to the home page for the 3 major newspapers in Toronto: The Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, and The Toronto Sun.

2. On the homepage of each newspaper, visually scan the layout to identify the similarities and differences of each newspaper’s main focus. For example, what font style do they use, headlines, types/amount of advertisements, photos etcs.

3. Browse through one of the newspaper and select an issue (at least ½ page in length) – print a hard copy.

4. Find the same issue from the other 2 newspapers and print a hard copy of each.

5. For each article, quickly highlight in different colours, the facts and the opinions. Estimate the percentage of facts and percentage of opinions that make up each of these articles (ex. Article #1 is comprised of 60% facts and 40% opinions).

6. Identify any strategies of manipulation that were discussed in class. Are there any clear biases present?

7. Finally, briefly describe the language (grade) level used in each of the newspapers and their target readership.

8. Your analysis will be presented orally during the next class for marks.

World Issues – Bias in the News?Oral Presentation – Rubric

Presenter (s): _____________________________________________

Level 1(Adequate-1.5)

Level 2(Satisfactory-2)

Level 3(Thorough-2.5)

Level 4(Superior-3)

Description and comparison of Homepages

Separation of Facts vs. Opinions for each article

Identification of Strategies of Manipulation and biases

Identification of language level and target readership

Oral SkillsPreparationClarityAudible

1. Select 1 news article at the local OR national OR international level from a current news source.

For this news article explain what makes this a PROBLEM and not an ISSUE.

2. Analyze the article /issue using “S.I.D.E.S” to organize your presentation.

Next Class:

A 3 min. oral presentation on this article for evaluation

1. Select a ‘hard news’ story that is reported in one of 3 different news sources (local or international).

2. Print out / Provide a hard copy of each article.

3. Read through all three articles carefully, highlighting OPINIONS ONLY. [NOT Facts]

Due date : TBA

Assignment # 2 a

NEWS STORY ASSIGNMENTAssignment # 2 a

NEWS STORY ASSIGNMENT

Assignment # 2 b

NEWS STORY ASSIGNMENTAssignment # 2 b

NEWS STORY ASSIGNMENT

ArticleType of issue

Stakeholders

Point of view of

Stakeholders

Worldview of reporter

1.

2.

3.

Name: Class:Canadian World Issues

NEWS STORY ASSIGNMENT TABLE

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1

Identifies OPINIONS

Accurately locates opinions in the article and gives a clear explanation of why these are opinions rather than facts.

Accurately locates opinions in the article and gives a reasonable explanation of why these are opinions rather than facts

Locates opinions in the article. Explanation is weak

Difficulty in locating opinions in article

Identifies FACTS

Identifies BIASES

Article ANALYSIS

Clarity of Writing