Journalistic Bias effecting News Content

In chapter 4 of our text by Lance Bennett, NEWS Politics of Illusion, he discusses 4 very important biases that effect the way in which our news content is delivered to us. He notes that the news is no longer about providing an important pubic service; rather it has become a packaged consumer product. Because of this, the quality of the news that we receive is has been reduced to what is commonly referred to as infotainment.

Next, he explains the preference to dramatize events and, “emphasize crisis over continuity… downplay complex policy information, the workings of government institutions, and the bases of power behind the central characters.” This is mainly seen in local news like many of these stories from the AJC. Rather than focusing on the quality of life and how to improve it, the media looks for every tear jerking, heart wrenching story that ensures you will pay to find out more.

The most harmful bias is what Bennett refers to on page 45 as the personalization bias. He notes that there is a tendency to downplay the big picture of an event to focus on the human trials and tragedies. The reason is because human interest pieces are easier to sell than hard news that analyzes the political system and potentially alienates people.

Media also has a tendency to take stories out of context so that the big picture is hard to see. This is what Bennett refers to as fragmentation on page 47. For example, in the two articles that are linked in the previous paragraph, rather than focusing on the social issues that are causing the ever increasing robberies, we look at fragmented events (and are shocked every time it happens!).

On the same page, he also remarks that there is an obsession with “authority disorder.” That is to say, the news is preoccupied with order and whether or not authorities can restore or establish it.

To become a more observant media consumer, rather than another mindless drone, it is important to be aware of the biases in the news media. Unlike most consumer products, our choices don't drastically effect our quality of life and that of our nation. Since this is the case with the news media, it is imperative to be aware of the ways in which we are manipulated by the news media.

Do you think that the news media's many biases have a negative effect on people, or is this all malarkey?