1. Techniques of Bias
A summary of the ways newspaper and online written news reports can introduce their own ideological agenda

2. Selection / Omission
In a classic example of selection, the Daily Mail reports on Richard Branson addressing the Home Affairs Committee on the possible decriminalisation of recreational drugs

3. Placement
The previous example also shows the importance of placement. Several factors relating to how facts are combined, and in what order they are displayed, serve to discredit Branson's testimony:
Prominence given to dead teenager (and the rather dubious link to cannabis)
High visibility also given to coroner's claim (clearly with Branson in mind)

4. Interviews and quotations
News reports often feature quotes from people involved in the story.
Whose points of view are included?
In what order are different people quoted?
Where are quotes are placed within the article?
Which words are chosen and which are left out?

5. Headlines and Straplines
Headlines are often very bold statements of ideological agendas. Bear in mind that the events of this article are not related to the murder of Damilola Taylor

6. Images and Captions
The photo in the previous report on Ricky Preddie supports the Sun's suggestion that he is callous and without remorse. Notice also the choice of words in the caption.

7. Diction / Tone
In terms of denotation, we have this example from the Guardian, clearly supportive of the premise that we should be concerned about the effects of global warming:

8. Diction / Tone
But more commonly, especially in the tabloid press, the connotations of the word choice reveal the newspaper's agenda:

9. Diction / Tone Here's another example.
Notice how this paper reports on the “regional pay deal”, which aims to “better reflect local variations...”

10. Diction / Tone
...while the Guardian clearly displays its more left-wing stance, critical of this new government policy.

11. And the BBC display overt support.
Diction / Tone
And the BBC display overt support.

12. Statistics and Misleading Facts
Yet again, the tireless Daily Mail struggles to reveal the sinister truth about our swarthy brethren...

13. Statistics and Misleading Facts
But surprise surprise, the Mail demonstrates its disregard for journalistic integrity. Below are the actual questions and responses from the study (my emphasis):
"Is it ever justifiable to kill in the name of religion?"
Yes, in order to preserve and promote that religion - 4%
Yes, but only if that religion is under attack - 28%
"How supportive, if at all, would you be of the official introduction of Shari'ah Law into British law for Muslims in Britain?"
Very supportive - 21%
Fairly supportive - 19%"

14. Titles
There are many ways that individuals can be referred to, and the choice of term encourages a certain interpretation of events. This example is from an event that is relatively clear-cut, but the choice of words is still interesting.

15. Speculation / Interpretation
This article in the Guardian seems to be very neutral, at least in terms of headline, image and caption...

16. Speculation / Interpretation
But several quotes reveal the common practice of including speculation and interpretation of events in the article. While this example seems credible, we have to trust the judgement and knowledge of the reporter
The balloting for the 290-member parliament is unlikely to change Iran's course over major policies including its nuclear stand-off with the west regardless of who wins, but it may shape the political landscape for a successor to Ahmadinejad in 2013.
In the absence of major reformist parties, which were kicked off the political stage over the 2009 post-election riots, Friday's vote is seen as a political battleground for competing conservative factions that support the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and those backing Ahmadinejad.

17. References Sun report on Ricky Preddie: Mirror on David Rathband:
Daily Mail report on Richard Branson's drug policies:
wrong-drugs.html
Sun report on Ricky Preddie:
Mirror on David Rathband:
Guardian on Iranian elections:
Guardian on global warming study:
The Daily Mail does xenophobia:
40-want-Sharia-law.html
The Regional Pay deal:
Mail on Afghanistan deaths:
Afghan-death-toll-past-400.html