Deck 11: Unpacking Political News Bias

Question 1

Write an essay exploring the notion of liberal media bias. What does the evidence indicate about this premise?

Answer 1

The notion of liberal media bias is a topic that has been widely debated in recent years. Many people believe that the media has a liberal bias, meaning that news outlets tend to favor liberal or left-leaning perspectives in their reporting. However, the evidence on this premise is mixed and complex.

On one hand, there is evidence to suggest that the media does have a liberal bias. Studies have shown that journalists and media professionals tend to lean left politically, and this can influence the way they report the news. Additionally, some media outlets have been accused of promoting liberal agendas and perspectives in their coverage of political and social issues.

On the other hand, there is also evidence to suggest that the media does not have a liberal bias. Some studies have found that the media actually tends to be more centrist or even conservative in its reporting. Additionally, media outlets are often owned by large corporations with their own political agendas, which can influence the content and tone of their reporting.

Overall, the evidence on the notion of liberal media bias is inconclusive. While there are certainly examples of biased reporting in the media, it is difficult to make broad generalizations about the entire industry. It is important for consumers of news to critically evaluate the sources they rely on and to seek out a variety of perspectives in order to form a well-rounded understanding of current events. Ultimately, the notion of liberal media bias is a complex and nuanced issue that requires careful consideration and analysis.

Question 2

Other than possible liberal and/or conservative biases, what other political biases does evidence show are present in the media? Write an essay explaining these other biases.

Answer 2

In addition to possible liberal and conservative biases, evidence shows that the media also exhibits biases related to sensationalism, corporate interests, and national security.

Sensationalism is a bias that occurs when media outlets prioritize stories that are attention-grabbing and dramatic over those that are more nuanced and complex. This can lead to a focus on scandalous or shocking events, which may not accurately represent the full scope of a given issue. Sensationalism can also contribute to the spread of misinformation and the perpetuation of stereotypes.

Corporate interests can also influence media bias, as many media outlets are owned by large corporations with their own political and economic agendas. This can lead to a prioritization of stories that align with the interests of these corporations, as well as a lack of coverage of issues that may be detrimental to their bottom line. Additionally, advertisers may exert influence over media content, leading to biased reporting in order to maintain financial support.

National security concerns can also lead to biased reporting, as media outlets may self-censor or withhold information in the interest of national security. This can result in a lack of transparency and accountability, as well as a skewed representation of certain events or policies.

Overall, these biases can have significant implications for the public's understanding of political issues and can contribute to a lack of diversity in media coverage. It is important for consumers of media to critically evaluate the sources of their information and seek out a variety of perspectives in order to mitigate the impact of these biases.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT one of the problems with the liberal news bias thesis?

A) There is no evidence that left-leaning partisan news outlets distort the truth with misleading facts.
B) More than 50% of reporters indicate that they are independent and "middle of the road" politically.
C) Most coverage of the 2016 election was of Trump, inconsistent with the liberal bias thesis
D) Media executives and owners hold more conservative attitudes.
E) While elite reporters and editors hold left-of-center attitudes, mainstream reporters and editors across the country do not.

Answer 3

There is no evidence that left-leaning partisan news outlets distort the truth with misleading facts.

Question 4

________ is a psychological or motivational, micro-level construct that must be inferred - thoughtfully, based on evidence and systematic criteria - from content that is produced on a more macro level by a news outlet.

A) Mainstreaming
B) Bias
C) The liberal bias thesis
D) Fake news
E) None of the above

Question 5

Given the evidence, which of the following is probably not an explanation for the negative news coverage received by President Trump in his first 100 days in office?

A) Trump's efforts to repeal Obamacare were unpopular and newsworthy.
B) Journalists applied normal routine news values to presidential conduct
C) The ban on Muslims entering the country was controversial and newsworthy
D) Strong, left-leaning partisan values among elite national reporters set the agenda for negative coverage of President Trump.
E) Trump's executive order to build a border wall was controversial and newsworthy.