Media Bias… Some helpful info for 29/03 debate

- Assumptions journalism can/should be impartialjournalism can/should be impartial Fox’s product branding motto “Fair and Balanced” is the proper standard against which to judge Fox news coverageFox’s product branding motto “Fair and Balanced” is the proper standard against which to judge Fox news coverage focus on Fox as a propaganda machine vs. primarily a commercial venturefocus on Fox as a propaganda machine vs. primarily a commercial venture consumption of Fox news significantly contributes to shaping political views of viewing publicconsumption of Fox news significantly contributes to shaping political views of viewing public

Is the Media/a Media Outlet Biased? the conundrums of biasthe conundrums of bias –impartiality vs. objectivity impartiality (def: showing lack of favouritism – e.g. portraying diverse perceptions of the truth)impartiality (def: showing lack of favouritism – e.g. portraying diverse perceptions of the truth) objectivity (def: based on observable phenomena – e.g. striving for “the truth”)objectivity (def: based on observable phenomena – e.g. striving for “the truth”) –the problem with impartiality as a criteria for news coverage »what views to include? »balance of viewpoints may be biased »mainstream viewpoint may be biased

Is the Media/a Media Outlet Biased? the conundrums of biasthe conundrums of bias –impartiality vs. objectivity –the problem with objectivity as a criteria for news coverage –based on contestable assumption that facts can be cleanly separated from one’s subjective viewpoint –based on assumption that meaningful facts exist in a complex world and that news coverage could be free of interpretation – “Just the facts, ma’am...” –cedes significant power to journalists/news media in determining the truth

Assumptions journalism can/should be impartialjournalism can/should be impartial Fox’s product branding motto “Fair and Balanced” is the proper standard against which to judge Fox news coverageFox’s product branding motto “Fair and Balanced” is the proper standard against which to judge Fox news coverage –counter-argument – all media coverage is biased –bias may be more or less consistent with mainstream of public opinion –bias may be more or less overt those who charge Fox with being biased (don’t agree with its political slant or argue that it does not mirror mainstream political views) are using the same criteria for judging bias as the Fox News claim that it is “fair and balanced”those who charge Fox with being biased (don’t agree with its political slant or argue that it does not mirror mainstream political views) are using the same criteria for judging bias as the Fox News claim that it is “fair and balanced”

Fair and Balanced? Fox News is poorly geared towards propagandizationFox News is poorly geared towards propagandization bias is overtbias is overt –people recognize that Fox represents a particular point of view –journalists double as editorialists »less problematic than alernatives (no self-identified editorial commentary) unsophisticated manipulation of newsunsophisticated manipulation of news –emphasis on political conflict vs. ignoring political conflict

Mechanisms of Media Bias distorted view of public eventsdistorted view of public events what is there is biasedwhat is there is biased distorted view by leaving issues outdistorted view by leaving issues out bias lies in what is not therebias lies in what is not there more sophisticated technique of media manipulationmore sophisticated technique of media manipulation

-- Assumptions journalism can/should be impartialjournalism can/should be impartial focus on Fox as a propaganda machine vs. primarily a commercial venturefocus on Fox as a propaganda machine vs. primarily a commercial venture –counter-arguments... FOX is a poor instrument of propagandaFOX is a poor instrument of propaganda FOX is primarily a commercial ventureFOX is primarily a commercial venture

Fox as a Commercial Venture product lacking any journalistic valueproduct lacking any journalistic value lowered costs, higher profitslowered costs, higher profits focus on product differentiationfocus on product differentiation creation of niche marketcreation of niche market “fair and balanced” as branding technique“fair and balanced” as branding technique infotainmentinfotainment focus on sensationalismfocus on sensationalism –politics – focus on conflict

An Alternative Interpretation... profitability is keyprofitability is key –importance of audience to profitability media is biasedmedia is biased –media must cater to the view of its target audience –it mirrors (rather than shapes public opinion) media concentrationmedia concentration –perhaps not evidence that media can shape public views –may be evidence that media cannot shape public views

Regulating the Media FCC (Federal Communications Commission)FCC (Federal Communications Commission) existing FCC regulations on media ownershipexisting FCC regulations on media ownership ban on cross-ownershipban on cross-ownership restrictions on total number of stations/percentage of marketrestrictions on total number of stations/percentage of market –rule changes (June 2003) revision on cross-ownershiprevision on cross-ownership revised rules on number of stations (in given market)revised rules on number of stations (in given market) increased in overall allowable % of market (from 35% to 45%)increased in overall allowable % of market (from 35% to 45%)

Regulating the Media FCC rule changesFCC rule changes –proponents large newspaper chains and television networks (e.g. Fox)large newspaper chains and television networks (e.g. Fox) the White Housethe White House –opponents various organizationsvarious organizations –NRA, National Organization for Women, Conference of Catholic Bishops, etc. –owners of local television stations resistance in the Houseresistance in the House

– Assumptions & Counter- Arguments journalism can/should be impartialjournalism can/should be impartial –Fox is less mainstream and more overtly biased than other media outlets – it is no less or more biased focus on Fox as a propaganda machine vs. primarily a commercial venturefocus on Fox as a propaganda machine vs. primarily a commercial venture –Fox is not a sophisticated propaganda machine –revolutionary attribute is in becoming a purely commercial venture (stripping serious journalism out of its coverage) consumption of Fox news significantly contributes to shaping political views of viewing publicconsumption of Fox news significantly contributes to shaping political views of viewing public –Fox mirrors the views of its viewing public

An Alternative Interpretation of Media Bias content biascontent bias –commercialism de-emphasizing journalism -- emphasis on sensationalismde-emphasizing journalism -- emphasis on sensationalism –politics – emphasis on conflict –shared by all mainstream commercial media »explains difference between FOX and NPR in PIPA knowledge surveys consumerism/commodity fetishismconsumerism/commodity fetishism

An Alternative Interpretation of Media Bias medium biasmedium bias –the medium is the message (McLuhan) televisiontelevision »creates passivity (not interactive) »atomizing –reduces political efficacy –creates perception that watching politics is the same as being involved in genuine political activity (and acts as a substitute) –weakens sense of community and emphasizes individualism

Main Points! bias of the media may lie not in the content of specific outlets (e.g. Fox News) but in the broader commercial structure of the media in generalbias of the media may lie not in the content of specific outlets (e.g. Fox News) but in the broader commercial structure of the media in general bias of the media may lie in the dominant form of media consumed (e.g. television)bias of the media may lie in the dominant form of media consumed (e.g. television)

CU on 29/03/08 debate;-) CU on 29/03/08 debate;-) In the meantime- Happy Easter