How to Detect Bias in the News

We all know that there is a bias in news although the author doesn’t have the intention to do it deliberately. It is difficult for writer to be as objective as possible because they will be influenced by the background of the interviewer, writer, photographer and even editor.

Bias is unavoidable. But we can become a more aware news reader by following journalistic techniques so we don't influence by writer.

Bias through selection and omission
A writer can express a bias by choosing what to or what not to report in the news. Within a given story, writer can choose to ignore some they think not so important details. Also the choice of words and tones will give the readers a different opinion about the news reported. The only way readers can find out whether the writer bias to the news is by comparing news reports from various type of news outlet.

Bias through placement
Newspaper reader always judge the story by reading the first few paragraphs of the news or those published in first few pages because they look more important than those publish in the back.

This same goes for the television and radio which will run the most critical stories first. Therefore, where a story is placed influences what the reader thinks about its importance.

Bias by headline
Many people read only the headlines of a news item because it is the most readable part of a paper. However, we know that the headlines do not always speak of the story itself because newsman would over exaggerate the reporting sometimes in order to sell the paper.

Reader must read through the whole story and summarize it in order to find hidden bias and prejudice.

Bias by photos, captions and camera angles
Some pictures flatter a person while others don't. For example on television, the choice of which visual images to display is very important to capture viewers attention. Like wise, the captions of newspaper below photos are also potential sources of bias.

Bias through use of names and titles
News media often use labels and titles to describe people, places, and events. A person can be called an "ex-con" or be referred to someone who "served time twenty years ago for a minor offence". It is the same situation whether a person is described as a "terrorist" or a "freedom fighter" is a clear indication of editorial bias.

Bias through statistics and crowd counts
To make a disaster seem more spectacular, numbers can be inflated. For instance, "only minor injuries in air crash" is to be reporting as "a hundred injured in air crash" certainly reflecting the opinion of the person doing the counting.

Bias by source control
News is provided by a reporter, an eyewitness, police or news buyer. The truthful of the source of news is questionable. Each may have a particular bias that is left into the story. Therefore to detect bias, always consider where the news item "comes from."


Image Source: Johndotorgslashblog wordpress
Article Source: Media Awareness Network