Bias in the Media

     Bias is always a subject at the forefront of journalist's minds.  One of the number one rules in ethics of journalism is to remain unbiased.  Ethical journalists are always striving to show both sides of the story and use only facts, not assumptions.
     For example, the Society of Professional Journalists have a Code of Ethics.  This code of ethics promotes the idea that "public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy.  The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues...Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility."
     For example, some of the responsibilities in the Code of Ethics include, "Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error, deliberate distortion is never permissible, support the open exchange of views, even views they found repugnant," and many others.

Below, Saturday Night Live recently poked fun at Fox News.

Fox News has the slogan "fair and balanced."  However, this may not be as true as people think.  According to a study conducted by the Program on International Policy Attitudes at the University of Maryland, it shows that Fox News viewers are significantly more misinformed than those who consume their news from other sources.  For example, out of the following statements below, Fox News was in the first percentile of misinformed viewers.

• 91 percent believe the stimulus legislation lost jobs
• 72 percent believe the health reform law will increase the deficit
• 72 percent believe the economy is getting worse
• 60 percent believe climate change is not occurring
• 49 percent believe income taxes have gone up
• 63 percent believe the stimulus legislation did not include any tax cuts
• 56 percent believe Obama initiated the GM/Chrysler bailout
• 38 percent believe that most Republicans opposed TARP
• 63 percent believe Obama was not born in the U.S. (or that it is unclear)

Even though Fox was in the first percentile, the study also stated CNN, MSNBC, and other broadcast networks also have a way to go before they can claim complete unbias.  You can see the full study here.

Photo credit: Mr. T in DC

National Public Radio (NPR) has also been in the news recently concerning bias.  Former CEO Vivian Schiller resigned after videos surfaced of her and NPR's senior vice president Ron Schiller making comments about the Tea Party.  Schiller called the Tea Party "fanatically involved in people's personal lives and very fundamental[ly] Christian - I wouldn't even call it Christian...basically they believe in white, middle America, gun-toting - it's pretty scary.  They're seriously racist, racist people."  Both executives resigned.  It turned out the video (which you can check out here) was purposely edited by James O'Keefe, a conservative activist, who set up the meeting and secret video cameras.  Even though the video was edited did leave out other parts of the conversation, the House of Representatives did vote to take away NPR federal funding.  NPR is also seen by many as being liberally bias.

Today, many Americans feel as if it is difficult to find unbiased news.  According to the Boston Phoenix, in a Gallup poll last September, a majority of Americans, 57 percent, have "little or no trust in the mass media to report the news fully, accurately, and fairly."  In addition, with the plethora of news sources available, it can also be tough to know reporting from opinion.  This is why Americans look to national news sources for all the facts and information.  These sources need to be able to give this to America, and work on earning back their trust as well as remaining unbiased.

Photo credit: Paul Townsead