Research on Media Bias
Media bias is a tendency to twist balanced, objective, neutral and impartial facts found in the society. On the other hand, political bias is the reflection of the preferences and beliefs of news networks or reporters with regards to a certain story or a frame that may lead to presenting more of one political party than both sides equally. Media bias was known before as an intentional act of twisting fact. Now, the meaning of bias has changed to an “unconscious slant” (Hachten 104-105).
The adoption of political biases in new networks can be developed by the deadlines given to the journalists. It limits the time they have to fully comprehend the different sides of each story. At times, bias is brought about by a journalist’s laziness since accomplishing a well-balanced news report is difficult (Baker 21). Personal beliefs of journalists can also add to the adoption of media bias in news networks. These beliefs can influence the values they portray in their news reports. The two most common news values seen in political biases are power and conflict. According to Arnold, Sellers, Schaffuer and Tresch, the news value of power is evident when one political actor who can influence more voters is given more importance than the other candidate or political party. (Van Dalen 34). Bennett and Reese proclaim that the newsworthiness of the political actors is supported by journalists whom can be swayed by the political actors. On the contrary, those political actors who are given less importance also have less publicity. They become less newsworthy because of the lack of influence they have on the public opinions of the masses (Van Dalen 35). However, the news value of conflict encourages audiences to choose one side of a story. With this, the viewers get emotionally attached to the news report since they were in conflict with what they truly want (Mathiesen n.p.). Moreover, choosing one political party over the other creates tension that will act as a platform for less
The adoption of political biases in new networks can be developed by the deadlines given to the journalists. It limits the time they have to fully comprehend the different sides of each story. At times, bias is brought about by a journalist’s laziness since accomplishing a well-balanced news report is difficult (Baker 21). Personal beliefs of journalists can also add to the adoption of media bias in news networks. These beliefs can influence the values they portray in their news reports. The two most common news values seen in political biases are power and conflict. According to Arnold, Sellers, Schaffuer and Tresch, the news value of power is evident when one political actor who can influence more voters is given more importance than the other candidate or political party. (Van Dalen 34). Bennett and Reese proclaim that the newsworthiness of the political actors is supported by journalists whom can be swayed by the political actors. On the contrary, those political actors who are given less importance also have less publicity. They become less newsworthy because of the lack of influence they have on the public opinions of the masses (Van Dalen 35). However, the news value of conflict encourages audiences to choose one side of a story. With this, the viewers get emotionally attached to the news report since they were in conflict with what they truly want (Mathiesen n.p.). Moreover, choosing one political party over the other creates tension that will act as a platform for less