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Directions
-Read the excerpt below.
-Read "Types of Media Bias" in the right column. Then answer the questions.
A federal appeals court Tuesday struck down a ban on carrying concealed weapons in Illinois – the only state where it had remained entirely illegal. Read the following headlines for news reports on this story:
“Court ruling on Illinois gun ban sets stage for fight“
From The Detroit News (using an Associated Press news report)
“Court strikes down Illinois’ concealed carry ban“
From The Boston Globe (using the same Associated Press news report)
“Court ruling on Ill. gun ban sets stage for fight“
From YahooNews (using the same Associated Press news report)
“Federal court ruling on Illinois concealed carry ban sets stage for appeal, legislative battle“
From the Minneapolis Star Tribune (using the same Associated Press news report)
“Court strikes down Illinois’ concealed carry ban“
From the Houston Chronicle (using the same Associated Press news report)
“Court Backs Loaded Guns in Public“
From the Wall Street Journal (from a news story written by a WSJ staff reporter)
“Federal appeals court tosses state ban on carrying concealed weapons“
From the Chicago Sun Times (from a news story written by a Sun Times staff reporter)
“Concealed carry: Court strikes down Illinois’ ban“
From the Chicago Tribune (from a news story written by a Chicago Tribune staff reporter)
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
A headline is defined as: a head of a newspaper story or article usually printed in large type and giving the gist of the story or article that follows. (m-w.com)
A headline’s purpose is to quickly and briefly draw attention to the story. It is generally written by a copy editor, but may also be written by the writer, the page layout designer, or other editors. (wikipedia)
1. Which headline below contains the reporter/editor’s opinion? Explain your answer.
2. What does this headline imply about the court’s decision?
Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the answers.
Answers
1. The Wall Street Journal’s “Court Backs Loaded Guns in Public” contains the reporter/editor’s opinion. It not only tells the reader what the news story is, this headline gives the opinion that the Court made the wrong decision; has created a dangerous situation.
2. The headline implies that the Court made the wrong decision – it implies that it is a dangerous thing for people to be allowed to carry concealed weapons.
