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Bias

What is bias ?

“ Bias is a one side view which a person may have some reason or motivation to see things in a certain way.”

Bias

At one time or other we all complain about "bias in the media." The fact is, despite the journalistic ideal of "objectivity,“ (without bias or prejudice) every news story is influenced by the attitudes and background of its interviewers, writers, photographers and editors.

For example: If two people had a fight in the school yard, each one

would report the incident according to his/her point of view. Other people who saw the fight might also have a certain bias or point of view when they tell the story, depending on the experience they brought to the fight, and their feelings about the people involved in the fight.

Bias in the News

Objectives:To understand what the terms ‘media’ and ‘bias’ meanTo discuss the role of THE MEDIATo learn how to spot bias in the newsTo consider how media bias is linked to politicsTo consider the ‘rights and wrongs’ of media bias

Bias in the news

No matter how objective the news agency is there will be some bias in the news.

Not all bias is deliberate.

Bias found in the news

Consider these two sentences in a news story:

“A crowd of more than 900 attended the protest.”

“Fewer than 1,000 showed up to protest.”

How to Detect Bias in the News

Every news story is affected by: thoughts opinions background

of these people: interviewer reporter photographer editor

Types of bias

Bias through selection and omission Bias through Placement Bias by photos and camera angles Bias by spin Bias by names and titles Bias by selection of sources Bias by headline Bias by statistics and crowd counts Bias by word Choice & Tone

Bias through selection and omission An editor can express a bias by choosing to use or not to use a

specific news item. Within a given story, some details can be ignored, and others included, to give readers or viewers a different opinion about the events reported. Bias through omission is difficult to detect. Only by comparing

news reports from a wide variety of outlets can the form of bias be observed.

For example:

If, during a speech, a few people boo, the reaction can be described as "remarks greeted by jeers" or they can be ignored as "a handful of dissidents."

Bias through placement

Usually, the stories that are chosen to be put first are seen as more important. Stories in the back of the paper or at the end of the news broadcast are seen as less important.

For example: If a story about the disaster in Karachi is on the front

page of the paper, it will be seen as more important.

If the story about Karachi disaster is buried at the back of the paper, it will be seen as less important.

Bias by photos and camera angles

Some photos can make the subject look serious, attractive, healthy, etc. and other photos can be really unflattering and make them look silly, ugly, sick, etc.

The images of someone in the news can influence how we think about them.

Bias photo

Compare these…

To these……

Photos Bias

Which picture is positive and which is negative?

Camera angles and sound can also influence how something is interpreted.

Bias by spin

One sided interpretation of an event. Emphasizing characteristics of a policy favourable

to left wings without noting aspects favourable to right wings.

For example: Party spokesman who talk with reporters after

general elections in connection with justifying the win of controversial candidate.

A political press agent or publicist employed to promote a favourable interpretation of events of journalists

Bias by selection of sources

This bias can also be seen when a reporter uses such phrases as “experts believe”, “observers say”, or “most people think”.

For example: When a reporter says “most experts believe….”, he often

means, “I believe….” .quoting an expert by names does not necessarily add to the credibility of a story, because the reporter may choose any “expert” he wants. The same goes for the use of politicians or “man on the street” interviews.

Bias through names and titles

News media often use labels and titles to describe people, places and events.

A person is described as a ‘terrorist’ or a ‘freedom fighter’ is a clear indication of editorial bias.

Bias by headline

Many people read only the headlines of a news items. Most peoples scan nearly all the headlines in a newspaper.

Headlines are the most read part of a paper.

They can summarize as well as present carefully hidden bias and prejudices.

They can convey excitement where little exists. They can express approval or condemnation

Bias by source control

To detect bias, always consider where the news

item "comes from." Is the information supplied by a reporter, an

eyewitness, police or fire officials, executives, or elected or appointed government officials?

Each may have a particular bias that is introduced into the story.

Bias through Statistics and crowd counts

Numbers and statistics can be manipulated to change the way we think about them.

For example:Describing disaster story on radio or tv numbers can be inflated. “A hundred injured in air crash” can be the same as “only minor injuries in air crash” reflecting the opinion of the person doing the counting.During elections campaigns numbers game is very common. Biased report of commercially paid reporters has been noticed on my occasions

Bias by word choice and tone

The words and tone the journalist uses can influence the story.

Using positive or negative words with a particular connotation can strongly influence the readers or viewers

. For example: “The politician presented his well-thought out and intelligent plan to Congress.” “The politician presented his shoddy and disorganized plan to Congress.”

Word Choice

What isn’t bias

It falls into categories:

Editorials or opinion columns written by known as fair independent, on staff member of a news paper of broadcast media.

Stories or statements that make the conservative side look bad, but are accurate. Non-policy stories on a specific event that don’t have to be balanced.

Panel discussion comprises representatives of all groups.

If anchor / presenter behaves like public representative.

Clean from editorializing.