Bias in the News

I. Assignment:

One often hears the charge of bias with respect to the mass media. It may be a charge of party bias, that one party is treated better than another, or candidate bias, that one candidate is treated better than another. Sometimes, it is a charge of ideological bias, that the media are liberal or that they are conservative. The exercise will examine these charges. Your task is to watch ABC national news at 5:30 on channel 7 all of next week Monday thru Friday. You may video tape segments as an aid to your analysis. We will spend class. Monday reviewing the broadcasts again. If you are unable to view the news, you can base your assessment on what we do in class. It might be best to hone in one type of bias rather than all three

II. Searching for bias.

A. Looking for candidate bias

Stories that show positive candidate bias would show the candidate: 1. doing well in the polls, gaining or holding a lead; 2. campaigning in front of big crowds; 3. articulating a message that is well received; 4. portrayed as a strong leader; 5. portrayed as moral character Additionally, positive stores might emphasize a campaign doing well, that is, "one that is on track," raising money and winning over voters, or a running mate that is an asset to the campaign. Stories might also reflect a positive critique of a candidates issue positions, for example that one budget numbers add up, or that a proposal will address problem and correct it. Flattering pictures are also a sign of positive coverage. These are only ideas. Your task is to examine the stories that are aired each evening dealing with the campaign and make a judgment.

B. Looking for party bias

Stories that show positive party bias would show the party: 1. ahead in the race for the presidency and/or control of congress; 2. ahead in raising money; 3. candidates doing well on the campaign trail; 4. free of scandals, past or present 5. able to deal with the nation’s problems.

C. Looking for ideological bias

Stories that show positive ideological bias would show one side advocating more popular or effective (likely to solve the problem) issue positions than the other and one side’s candidates more likely to win.

Note: Bias is only present if stories are positive toward one candidate (party or side) and negative or neutral toward another. Thus, one way to proceed is to count and compare positive to negative/neutral.