1. How do you tell the news from the noise?
Fake News in Science?
How do you tell the news from the noise?

2. Scientifically literate citizens are aware of bias in sources of information
You are exposed to many different kinds of information from many different sources each day. Being able to recognize and evaluate bias in information is a vital part of being scientifically literate.
What is Bias?
Bias is a judgment that is based on a person’s knowledge, understanding, and beliefs.

3. Can you see the difference between the two articles?

4. Words or terms can reflect bias
In describing Alberta’s Northern Shale Oil resources, one person may call them “tar sands,” while another may call them “oil sands.”
Do you see any differences in these terms?

5. Pictures can reflect bias
Do these pictures convey different messages about oil production in Alberta?

6. Other Examples of Bias Bias by headline
Many people read only the headlines of the news
Headlines can summarize as well as present clearly hidden bias
The same issues (such as fracking) can be presented in different ways, just through the headline:

7. Other Examples of Bias Bias through selection or omission
Are some details of a story ignored on purpose?
Are some details included to sway the readers?
Bias through omission can be difficult to detect. Why?
Watch the first minute of this clip and think about what facts about GMO’s were omitted.
Fox news on GMO's

8. Other Examples of Bias Bias by word choice and tone
The use of words with a positive or negative connotation can strongly influence the reader.
What sort of tone does this passage about Whole Foods convey?

9. Other Examples of Bias Bias by photos, captions and camera angles
A paper can choose photos to influence opinion about the subject matter.
Example - Trump’s inauguration as shown by different media outlets:

10. Other Example of Bias Bias through statistics
Numbers can be manipulated to influence the reader.
Look at these two articles published within days of each other. Look at how they use statistics to convey different messages.

11. Your task
Search for a media report (newspaper, TV news, magazine etc) about the environment to read (or watch) and analyse.
Choose from among the following relevant topics in science or come up with your own: Global warming, Fracking, GMO foods, vaccines, nuclear power, stem-cell research, cloning
If you can’t find a particular bias in your article, keep searching!
Print off your article and complete the Bias evaluation form
Attach your article to the form for submission.