Bias is defined as a positive or negative attitude towards something, often based on preconceived prejudices or viewpoints rather than evidence. We expect the news to be objective because we use the news to learn about and understand what’s going on in the world, but the media can contain ideological messages and have social and political implications.
Bias through selection and omission
A journalist can express a bias by choosing to use or not to use a specifica 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 this form of bias be observed.
Bias through placement
Readers of papers judge first page stories to be more significant than those buried in the back, while news websites place the most important stories on their home page. Where a story is placed, therefore influences what a reader or viewer thinks about its importance.
How the story is organized is also significant. Most news stories are written in an “inverted pyramid” style, beginning with what is considered the most newsorth facts, followed by the important details relating to those facts, and finally background information to provide context. The last part of the story contains information that readers are least likely to read and editors are most likely to cut. This can be a form of bias because context often helps you fully understand a topic.
Bias by headline
Many people read only the headlines of the news item. Most people scan nearly all the headlines in a news source. 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 through use of names and titles.
News media often uses labels and titles to describe people, places, and events. A person can be called an “ex con” or be referred to as someone who “served time 20 years ago for a minor offense.” whether a person is described as a “terrorist” or a “freedom” is a clear indication of editorial bias.
Bias by source control
To detect bias, always consider where the news comes from. Is the information supplied by a reporter, an eyewitness, a cop, or a government official? Each may have a particular bias that is introduced into the story.
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