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Directions
-Read the excerpt below (from Brent Bozell's Feb. 10 column posted at MRC.org)
-Read "Types of Media Bias" in the right column. Then answer the questions.
Some of President Obama’s policies are not faring well in public opinion, but will anyone be told? On February 2, a Gallup poll found that Obama’s executive order “allowing U.S. funding for overseas family planning organizations that provide abortion” was decidedly unpopular: only 35 percent approved, while 58 percent disapproved.
You didn’t know this? You’re not alone: A Nexis survey finds none of the television networks, cable or broadcast, noticed these results, either.
The Gallup survey found overwhelming approval for other Obama policies – on higher fuel efficiency standards, on restricting lobbyists from joining his administration, on interrogating suspects according to the Army Field Manual, and on naming special envoys for Afghanistan and Pakistan – so there is plenty of good news for the administration.
But why not report the negative news as well?
Barack Obama is the most extreme pro-abortion president in history. He supports the Freedom Of Choice Act (FOCA), which would provide unlimited, unrestricted taxpayer funding of abortion. Only 9 percent of the public agrees with him. It is no surprise, then, that Obama would not want the media talking about his executive order supporting subsidies for international abortionists.
And they didn’t. CBS and NBC noted it in a single sentence. ABC later offered a story, but incredibly chose to focus on the theme that religious-right forces were “brutal” in their opposition.
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Read the complete article at mediareserach.org.
Read the results of the entire Gallup Poll on President Obama’s policies at gallup.com/poll/114091.
To accurately identify different types of bias, you should be aware of the issues of the day, and the liberal and conservative perspectives on each issue.
Types of Media Bias:Questions
1. What type of bias is the excerpt below an example of?
2. Why do you think that the major media outlets chose not to report these results from the Gallup Poll? Be specific.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the answers.
Answers
1. The excerpt is an example of bias by omission.
2. OPINION QUESTION. Answers vary.