Weekly Example of Media Bias - February 26, 2020
1. Apart from including a related link to a 2016 story about the Haqqani Network, the New York Times failed to inform its readers that Haqqani is a wanted terrorist with a $5 million reward for information leading to his arrest. What type of bias does the Times' intentional lack of information about the true identity of the opinion writer display?
2. Andrew Stroehlein, the European media director for Human Rights Watch, tweeted "Sirajuddin Haqqani is a notorious war crimes suspect being investigated by the International Criminal Court. Why does the New York Times give him op-ed space?" Do you agree with Human Rights Watch in questioning the legitimacy of publishing an op-ed by Haqqani? Explain your answer.
3. When questioned about its decision to leave out the fact that Haqqani is a wanted terrorist, the New York Times wrote: "Sirajuddin Haqqani is the second-in-command of the Taliban at a time when its negotiators are hammering out an agreement with American officials in Doha that could result in American troops leaving Afghanistan. That makes his perspective relevant at this particular moment." Does the editors' explanation make you more or less likely to trust the Times' reporting in general? Explain your answer.