The Media & Media Bias

Current Issues - LHS

What is the News Media?• Sources

– Newspapers– News magazines– Online sources– Network TV– Cable TV– Radio

Media Sources

How does the source of the news you consume influence the news

you consume?

Gov’t Regulation of the Media• Federal Communications

Commission (FCC) purposes– Prevent monopolies– Investigate complaints against

media outlets– Assure fair treatment and

access to airwaves for political candidates, officeholders

Trends in the Media

• Journalism of Verification

• Journalism of Assertion

• Journalism of Affirmation

Left?Keith

Olbermann

Right?Sean Hannity

Trends in the Media• In order to compete in a

competitive market, many traditional media outlets have focused their coverage– By audience– By specialization– By ideology

• Shift in role of traditional media from gatekeeper to authenticator of information

Media Bias

• What is media bias?• Is the media biased

towards liberals?• Is the media biased

towards conservatives?• Survey results

Media Bias Surveys

• Media Research Center (pie charts)

• Pew Research Center (2008)– Survey of 222 journalists

• 30% liberal or very liberal• 53% moderate• 8% conservative or very

conservative

Closing Thoughts• Historical context

– “Objective news” a post WWII concept

– Throughout most of American history, news sources were biased

• Onus is upon the consumer to determine for him / herself what the news MEANS