Bias in Journalism

Bias in Journalism

          Bias is just another fancy word for opinion. Understanding bias is relevant to journalism because it helps you become a better writer. It may also help you become sucessful if you choose to be a journalist.

     For years, the media has been claimed as more liberal. Reporters generally try to include as many points of view about a controversial topic as they can. Here is an example of biased journalism: "The media has for years claimed that convicted Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh was a “Christian terrorist.” This is an absurd claim, though, because McVeigh did not perpetrate his crimes in the name of religion nor was he a proselytizing Christian. He was an anti-government activist and did not use religion to justify any of his actions." The problem is that the media jumped to a conclusion that Timothy McVeigh was a Christian terrorist. They had no proof that he was Christian. To make this article unbiased, the writer should have stated facts about what happened, rather than jumping to conclusions.

     This concept is important to the class because you can't be biased in journalism. Using this knowledge, I can become a better journalist, especially if I want to become a journalist in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

"5 Easy Ways to Avoid Bias in Journalism." HubPages. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2012. <http://ztherefore.hubpages.com/hub/5-Easy-Ways-to-Avoid-Bias-in-Journalism>.

Stovall, James Glen. Journalism: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How. Boston: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon, 2005. Print.

"The Top 50 Liberal Media Bias Examples." Web log post. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Dec. 2012. http://www.westernjournalism.com/top-50-examples-liberal-media-bias/.