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Example of Media Bias:
The first of a series of videos from Project Veritas filmmaker James O’Keefe was released on Monday, claiming to show Democrats hiring provocateurs [persons hired to make trouble] to incite violence at some Donald Trump’s rallies.
The video was met with collective silence from the mainstream media.
Watch a portion of the video: [WARNING: This video contains offensive language.]
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. The media has been sharply critical of Trump and his supporters. Consider the amount of support given to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (96% of media members’ donations went to support Clinton).
a) Do an internet search for James O’Keefe Project Veritas videos. How many media outlets (ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, New York Times, Washington Post, etc.) are reporting this major story?
b) What type of bias does the media’s silence on the Project Veritas video display?
2. a) Ask a friend to watch the video with you and then to answer the question: why do you think the media will not report on this story? Please explain your answer.
b) Ask a parent to watch the video and answer the same question.
c) How do your friend and your parent’s answers compare?
Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the answers.
Answers
1. a) Answers vary.
b) The non-reporting on this story is an example of bias by omission, story selection and spin.
2. Opinion questions. Answers vary.
A recent analysis shows that 96% of the media’s campaign donations go to Hillary Clinton:
- An analysis conducted by the Center for Public Integrity found that 96% of campaign donations went to Hillary Clinton
- Nearly 480 media donors gave Clinton a total of $382,000
- Approximately 40 media people donated $14,000 to Donald Trump’s campaign
- Wikileaks has also revealed the ongoing collusion between a growing number of journalists and the Clinton campaign. Emails hacked from campaign chairman John Podesta show media personalities aiding Clinton and her campaign by secretly passing her debate questions, “teeing up” problematic stories for them, volunteering as informal advisors, and more.
- Gallup reports trust levels in the media have hit their lowest since the polling company began tracking them in 1997. Only 32 percent of respondents say they have a “great deal” or “fair” amount of trust in the media.
