1. What is it, and how can we identify it?
Media Bias
What is it, and how can we identify it?

2. Perspective
News and Media are a matter of perspective. What do you see in the following pictures:

3. Perspective...

4. Perspective...

5. Objectives 1. To understand what the term “bias” means.
2. To discuss the role of bias within the media.
3. To learn how to spot bias within the media you consume.
4. To consider the “rights and wrongs” of media bias.
5. To practice locating media bias within media.

6. Bias vs. Propaganda
Bias - favouring one side; position, or belief; is prejudice; a preconceived judgement or opinion formed without just ground or sufficient knowledge.
Propaganda - a systematic effort to influence people’s opinions; to win them to a certain side or view.

7. Biased Language Not biased, just an objective observation:
“Frank SPENDS VERY LITTLE MONEY.”
Favourable bias:
“Frank is THRIFTY.”
Unfavourable bias:
“Frank is a CHEAPSKATE.”

8. Consider this….How can you make it unbiased?
Think about these two sentences in a news story:
“A crowd of more than 900 attended the protest.”
“Fewer than 1,000 people showed up to protest.”

9. Detecting Bias
Bias isn’t always on purpose - sometimes it creeps in without the author/publisher realizing that they are using biased language. However, at times, bias is done very purposefully.
By looking for it, you can spot bias and become a better consumer of media.
So, what do we look for detecting bias?
1. Omission 2. Placement 3. Selection of Sources
4. Story Selection 5. Labeling 6. Spin

10. Bias through Omission
Certain facts or details will be cut out of a story, and others will be included
Leaving one side out of an article is another way to see bias through omission
Ignoring facts that tend to disprove or support beliefs
This can change how readers think or view a story/piece of media
Bias through omission can be difficult to detect
Tips:
Be aware of political perspectives on current issues
Make sure to read several different sources to get the full story
Video explanation

11. Bias through Placement
Where information is placed
Stories/Articles/Pictures that are chosen to be put first within their publication are seen as more important
Stories in the back of the publication are seen as less important
Tips
Be aware of the political philosophies of different publications
See how far within a story that a viewpoint exists

14. Bias through Selection of Sources
Includes more sources that support one view over another
Reporters may use phrasing such as “experts believe,” “observers say” or “most people believe”
Tips
Look for equal representation of both side to find this type of bias
Be aware of a publication’s political affiliation
Think about who is providing the information (reporter, police, eyewitness, elected official)

15. Bias through Story Selection
A pattern of highlighting news stories that coincide with the agenda of the Right or Left, while ignoring stories that coincide with the opposing view
Printing a story or a study released by a certain group, but ignoring a story/study released by the opposing group
Amount of coverage provided to a specific person/group
Tips
Know both sides of the issue
If you are only seeing one side to a story - look for information from the other side

16. Bias through Labeling
There are two ways to demonstrate bias through labeling:
Using extreme or mild wording when referring to a specific person/group
Failing to identify someone/something by their political affiliation, but instead describing that person/group with positive labels
Tips
Labeling in and of itself is not bias - it can be providing a title/affiliation/fact
When you see one side labeled and the other not labeled - that is a problem

17. Bias through Spin
When the story has only one interpretation of an event or policy, and excludes other interpretations
Spin involves TONE - a reporter’s subjective comments about objective facts
Makes one side’s ideological perspectives look better than another
Tips
Check which interpretation a story matches - liberal or conservative
Be aware of the publication’s political leanings

21. Word Choice and Why it’s Important
The words and tone of a journalist/website/ publication can influence a story. Using positive or negative words can change how the reader feels about the news story. We can even be influenced by a news broadcaster’s tone of voice.

23. Injury begins Avs Tumble Red Wings 5, Avalanche 3
The DENVER POST:
Injury begins Avs Tumble Red Wings 5, Avalanche 3
The DETROIT NEWS:
Wings are Too Much for Avalanche Red Wings 5, Avalanche 3

24. Recognizing and Analyzing Bias
When consuming media, think about the following questions in order to think critically and identify possible bias:
Who are the sources?
From whose point of view is the news reported?
Are there double standards?
What are the unchallenged assumptions?
Is the language loaded or neutral?
Is there a lack of context to the story?
Do the headlines and the stories match?