Goals

1. Describe bias in the news.
2. Skillfully recognize it and respond to it in the best ways.
3. Get unbiased news.
4. Avoid communicating biased news.

What?

Bias refers to a systematic tendency, typically unconscious, to make flawed decisions—and to persist in them.

Biased news is information presented in a way that systematically favors one perspective or outcome. It often leads to distorted understanding and poor decisions.

In simple terms, biased news is distorted; it presents an inaccurate view of reality. It’s like information from a huckster or con-man—crafted to mislead, even if subtly. The danger is even greater because the bias is often hidden, even from the person who created the news.

Avoid drawing water from a contaminated well. In the same way, avoid consuming biased news.

Why Be Skilled with Bias in the News

Biased news tends to lead its consumers to make poor decisions and to cling to them even in the face of better evidence.

Worse, biased news is very common.

For this reason, it’s important to avoid consuming biased news—and to take care not to communicate news in a biased way to others.

Why People Present News that is Biased

1. The lack the skill needed for ethical journalism.

2. The have the skills needed for ethical journalism but they have a higher priority such as:

   1. Make money.
   2. Protect business interest.
   3. Advance political goals.
   4. Gain power and followers.
   5. Advance their worldview.

Getting Unbiased News (How To)

Get your news from sources that have low levels of bias. Avoid sources that have high levels of bias.

There are two ways to identify such sources.

1. Easy Way. Use independent rating agencies (Ad Fontes, BothSide)
2. Best Way: Through time and practice, learn how to spot bias.

10 Simple Ways to Spot News Bias

1. Loaded Language
   Watch for emotionally charged words that sway opinion (e.g., “disaster,” “heroic,” “radical”).

2. Euphemisms and Dysphemisms
   Watch for language that either softens harsh realities (euphemisms) or exaggerates negativity (dysphemisms).
   These terms can shape how you feel about an issue without changing the facts.

   • Euphemism example: Saying “enhanced interrogation” instead of “torture”
   • Dysphemism example: Calling a government program a “tax grab” instead of a “revenue policy”

3. Unbalanced Sources
   Are only one side’s experts or voices quoted? A lack of diverse sources can indicate bias.

4. Missing Context
   Does the article leave out key facts or history that would change how you interpret the story?

5. Headline vs. Content Mismatch
   Does the headline exaggerate or misrepresent what the article actually says?

6. Placement and Prominence
   What stories are given front-page or top-of-site status? What’s buried or left out?

7. Selective Facts
   Are facts cherry-picked to support one perspective while ignoring inconvenient ones?

8. Photos and Visuals
   Do images create a sympathetic or hostile impression of a person or event?

9. Tone Toward Opposing Views
   Are opposing arguments mocked, dismissed, or oversimplified?

10. Lack of Attribution
    Does the article say “critics say” or “sources report” without naming them?

11. Patterns Over Time
    Does the outlet consistently favor one political or ideological side across many stories?

Being aware of these signs helps you become a more informed and critical consumer of news.

In general, bias refers to systematically making flawed decisions and holding on to them.

News that is biased tends to cause the consumers of this news to make flawed choices and to hold on to them.

Thus, bias news should be avoided and you should avoid communicated news in a biased way to others.

Bias in the news refers to the inclination or prejudice for or against one person, group, topic, or viewpoint over another, often in a way considered to be unfair. News bias can manifest in various forms, including selection of stories, use of language, choice of sources, and framing of headlines. This bias can influence public opinion, shape political views, and affect societal norms. Below, I’ll detail aspects of bias in the news, providing examples, explaining reasons, and discussing its impact.

What?

Bias in news media can take several forms: - Selection and omission: Choosing certain stories over others, which can highlight or ignore specific issues. - Placement: Giving more prominent placement to stories that reflect the media outlet’s biases. - Framing: Presenting information in a way that promotes a particular interpretation. - Labeling and tone: Using pejorative or favorable terms to describe people or events. - Choice of sources: Favoring sources that support the outlet’s viewpoint. - Statistical bias: Misrepresenting or cherry-picking data to support a narrative.

Examples

• Political Bias: An outlet may consistently present one political party in a positive light while criticizing the opposition.
• Corporate Bias: News stories might avoid criticizing corporations that are significant advertisers in the media outlet.
• Cultural and Social Bias: Media might portray certain groups in stereotypical ways or marginalize them by underrepresentation.
• Geographical Bias: Focusing on stories from certain regions or countries while neglecting others.

Why?

Several factors contribute to bias in the news: - Ownership and Funding: Owners and advertisers can influence content to reflect their interests. - Journalistic and Editorial Decisions: Individual journalists and editors bring their own biases to story selection and presentation. - Audience Expectations: Outlets may cater to the biases of their audience to maintain viewership or readership. - Sociopolitical Context: The broader sociopolitical environment can pressure media to align with dominant narratives.

How?

Bias is introduced through the editorial process, selection of reporters and sources, framing of headlines, and the choice of which facts to present or omit. The language used in reporting can subtly influence reader perceptions, as can visuals and the context in which information is provided.

Who?

Everyone involved in the news production process can contribute to bias, from media owners and advertisers to journalists, editors, and even audiences (through their feedback and consumption patterns).

When and Where?

Bias in the news is a global phenomenon, present in all types of media environments, from authoritarian states where government controls the media to democratic societies with a free press. It has existed as long as news media itself but has become more prominently discussed in the digital age, where news consumption patterns have shifted and diversified.

How Much?

The extent of bias varies widely among media outlets, regions, and over time. Some outlets are known for their editorial slants, while others strive for neutrality. The proliferation of digital media and social platforms has intensified concerns about bias, as these platforms often employ algorithms that reinforce users’ preexisting views, leading to echo chambers and increased polarization.

Understanding and recognizing bias in the news is crucial for critical media consumption. Readers and viewers are encouraged to consume news from a variety of sources, engage in critical thinking, and question the information presented to them to form a well-rounded understanding of events and issues.