last updated 6/16/2010

Bias in the news -- David Paletz' Views

I.  FORM BIAS

i.        Ordering (eliminate chaos, artificial order, condensation, problem solution, chrono, cause-effect)

ii.      Drama (fast cuts, artificial conflict by juxtaposition, emotion)

iii.    Aggressive interviews (makes people defensive, shot-gun, not normal rules of conversation = strange reactions)

iv.    Access  (can't cover what can't be seen or where you aren't allowed, thinking/caring, motives)

v.     Visual technique  (motion/turmoil, camera angles for intimacy, superiority, warmth, nerves)

II.      MENTAL STRUCTURE BIAS

i.        Theme/interp. schemata/Frames (social conventions, familiar "myths", massage parlor example, racism, women's salaries v men is discrimination??)

ii.      Definition of what is news (see previous notes), threat and reassurance, significance or maybe not)

iii.    Knowledge of news reporters/editors (wrong understanding, "What's a mill?" complexity and time, limited interest in topic.

iv.    Source influence (elites and officials get interviewed others don't, sensationalist views get more attention )

MEDIA COVERAGE OF ISSUES:  EFFECTS ON PUBLIC OPINION

• Stabilization of opinion in the public (esp. of themes)

• Raised expectations of effectiveness (of the establishment, government, self)

• Agenda setting (mild effect in known areas of low emotion) 

  • media polls tend to affect the opinion they purport to reflect.

• Amplification of views already held on all sides of an issue.

• Change/creation of new views (when the audience's knowledge base is low and personal connection to the topic is weak)

In Summary

1. The news is less than reality

i.              editing out of detail
ii.            missing or misunderstood information
iii.           lack of access

2. The news is more than reality

i.              themes and interpretations are added
ii.            order is created in stories
iii.           source and commentator influences

3. The news is different from reality  (coding issues)

i.              dramatization factors
ii.            framing and context

4. The news is sometime adversarial (but not too often) and that can be a problem. 

5. The news is less influential than we think in most cases.

i.              not really partisan
ii.            reinforces views more than changes (except for the totally new)

6. Bias is more subtle than we realize