FAIR: More On Bias In News Media

Last week I began writing about bias in the media.  It's a topic too large for this blog, but I want to point out some of ways you, as a consumer of vast amounts of media, can make an informed decision on an issue.  If you didn't read my first blog on the topic, go to February 20, and read it.  This is a continuation of that blog.

From whose point of view is the news reported?  Political coverage often focuses on how issues affect politicians or corporate executives rather than those directly affected by the issue.  For example, stories on abortion often talk about "tough choices" confronting male politicians while quoting no women, the one that have the most at stake in the debate.  Should all male panels be making decisions that affect women?  Demand that those who have a stake in the game have a voice in the debate.

Are there double standards?  Does the media hold one group to one standard, while applying a different standard to another group?  The answer is "Yes" and we see it everywhere.  Just look at recent events in Ferguson and New York and tell me what the results might had been if those involved were white instead of black.  Expose the double standard.

Do stereotypes skew coverage.  Does the coverage of the drug crisis focus mainly on African Americans, despite the fact that the vast majority of drug users are white?  Does coverage of women on welfare focus overwhelmingly on African-Americans despite the fact that the majority of welfare recipients are not black?  Educate journalists about misconceptions involved in stereotypes.

What are the unchallenged assumptions?  This is so important.  Often the most important message of the story is not explicitly stated.  For instance, in covering a woman on welfare, the age at which a woman had her first child will often be reported, the implication being that the woman's sexual promiscuity, rather than economic and cultural factors, are responsible for her plight.

Is the language loaded?  A perfect example if the Affordable Care Act.  When people were asked if they liked the Affordable Care Act, a vast majority said they liked it very much.  However, when people were asked if they liked ObamaCare, most answered they did not like it.  In 1992 a Harris poll found that 70% of people said they favored "affirmative action," but when asked how they felt about "racial preference programs,"  (same program, different way of asking the question) only 46% favored them  Challenge assumption, and demonstrate how the language used gives people an inaccurate impression of the issue.

Look for bias in media, and challenge the journalists, newspapers, and TV reporters that speak without giving you the whole story.  Demand the truth.  FAIR works hard to expose media that are skewing their reporting.  Check out their website at fair.org to learn more about the many issues FAIR has reported on that media has glossed over.