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Types of Media Bias

Detail

Type

How to Find

leaving one side out

Be aware
Check to see if both sides are included

Selection of Sources

including more sources that support their view

"experts believe"(who are the experts?)

"observers say"

Story Selection

highlight news stories that coincide with agenda of

"Left" or "Right" side while completely ignoring the
other side

compare amount of coverage on issue

Placement

how important the editor considers story to be

*where the story is printed in issue (front

page; middle page where no one can find,
etc.)
*where viewpoint is at in story (beg, mid,
end; both viewpoints or not)

Labeling

*labels are misleading to audience

*tagging one side with extreme labels while leaving mild *they are not always biased or wrong (some
labels for the other side
*reporter fails labels are accurate and when used are not
to identify one side after identifying another side
biased)

Spin

when a story has only one interpretaion of an event or

policy to the exclusion of the other; based on writer's
tone

Omission

ONLY present when story reflects one side of

story through writer's tone to the exclusion
of the other