Megan Thompson

Professor Theophile-LaFond

COMM 108

27 October 2017

Topic: Presidential elections on biased news

Specific Purpose: To persuade the audience to avoid biased news reporting and vote for the

upcoming elections. After listening to my speech, my audience will avoid extreme news and

social media and participate more in government organizations.

Central Idea: To listen to unbiased news, the people should get balanced sources like NPR and

PBS. Listening to neutral sources and voting on the elections can get your voice heard.

INTRODUCTION

I. The Attention Step

A. Attention Grabber: When I saw the candidates for the 2016 elections, I was

surprised. Should the candidates be allowed to run for president? Yes, but is

extremely off-putting. Have you noticed media bias?

1. As college students, we have the responsibility of choosing our news and voting.

How do you listen to more neutral sources?

2. If you're interested in government and you're right to the truth in media, then

continue listening.

3. You should consider listening to neutral sources and voting in our local elections.
 B. Credibility Statement: I have read the news and try to keep up to date with

legislation. I am currently taking a Political Science class and am interested in

government.

Preview: Presidential elections allow people to become informed. Listening to unbiased

news will lead to your voice getting heard. This may influence the way legislation is

passed in government.

Transition: So why do we need to listen to unbiased news and vote?

II. The Need Step

A. Throughout our country, people need to be exposed to the truth and support their views.

1. According to "Media malpractice? Media Bias and the 2016 Election" by Tom

Westervelt and Raghavan Mayur (2016), the media continues to be biased. Even

the Huffington Post included an Editor's note that said Donald Trump "incites

political violence and is a serial liar, rampart xenophobe, racist, misogynist" etc.

Clearly it favors the liberal side.

2. According to Allan J. Lichtman in "Politicians should ignore polls and focus on

policies instead"(2017), the media should "be gatekeepers of truth, mediating the

clash between fact and fiction".

3. The first amendment says "Congress shall make no law. . . abridging the freedom

of speech". We should embrace this and vote to get our voices heard in

government.

B. We need to emphasize fairer news among everyone.

1. According to "Analysis: After combative news conference, President Trump's

PAC sends followers another 'survey' about media bias" by Katherine Katie
 Mettler, Trump surveyed his followers. Called "Mainstream Media

Accountability Survey", he asked supporters, "Do you believe that the mainstream

media has reported unfairly on our movement?" He ends with "thank you for

standing up to the media's lies and attacks. . . Unlike Democrats we don't have

sustained support". The ending asked for money on the submission button.

2. We are in the era of fake news. It started since the Internet began, and spreads

like rumors. According to "Social Media Users Should Start Checking Online

News Sources"(2017) by S. Shyam Sundar, there was a hoax on TWA Flight 800.

Pierre Salinger, former press secretary of President Kennedy said on TV the flight

was shot down by U.S missile based on an email he had been sent. This is false

because it crashed 10 minutes after taking off in the Atlantic Ocean.

3. The educational news gives us better information on matters. In an analytical

study conducted by Sundar and his students, people are more likely to check

sources if the issue is important to them. If issue is not important, they are swayed

by sources that republished the story.

C. Online news leads to poor judgement and lack of understanding.

1. People who believe in fake news avoid journalistic sourcing. "Professional

gatekeeping" is the importance of journalistic sourcing. If people online keep reading,

then they don't think through issues.

2. Imagine going on Facebook and seeing a friend's shared post. It's of a politician's

tweet, and read it. There are five sources in the message, (newspaper, politician's

tweet, Twitter, friend and Facebook). According to Sundar, you are getting the last

news and people believe information.

 3.Media bias will get people to share false information on Facebook. The New York

Times calls fake news "digital virus" because it's so widespread. Fake news is

everywhere so we should be careful online.

Transition: There is a way we can solve biased news in the elections. Through voting in

local elections and avoiding biased news, we can bring the truth forward.

III. The Satisfaction Step

1. There are several ways you can avoid biased news.

a. Read articles on unbiased news like NPR and PBS Newshour. The article topics

should be really important to you like college tuition and women's rights. Check

the sources you read.

b. Spend less time on social media because information can be false. If you want the

news, go straight to the source.

c. Go vote in the local elections and general elections next year. June through

November 2018 are times to vote in Maryland.

d. Watch balanced news sources by supporting your local stations. Stations like

MCTV, and PBS provide good sources.

Transition: These are only a few things you can do.

According to Michelle Obama, "We learned about honesty and integrity that the truth

matters. . . that you don't take shortcuts or play by your own set of rules. . . and success

doesn't count unless you earn it fair and square"

1. It is so genuine of her to say this. Well-earned success is better earned through

hard work.
 2. By taking the time to vote and avoid biased news, you get the truth you deserve to

hear.

a. In an experiment published in an issue of Media Psychology, participants who

customized their own messages online agreed with statements like, "This interface

is a true representation of who I am". They intend to follow the site more because

it aligns with their beliefs.

b. However, people who did not customize their messages identified less with their

sites and were able to scrutinize source.

c. You can achieve this by watching the news carefully and not believing all the

news you read online.

Internal Summary: Now you know how to avoid biased media and participate in the next

elections.

Transition: Imagine yourself reading credible sources daily and getting your voice heard in our

local politics.

IV. Visualization Step

A. Imagine yourself in a political election where everyone's voice is heard. You can read

honest and trustworthy news sites and are more knowledgeable about the world.

1. How would you feel? Probably more confident about yourself.

2. The policies you want are actually in place because you chose them.

3. People believe the news easier because it has a reputation of honesty and fairness.

You read the newspaper and get fair facts, giving you a wider view of information. A

section of the news is devoted to the community success and life.

 1. You benefit from a just news system and honest news.

2. Everyone is better informed and invested in their futures as citizens.

3. The community benefits from your support of unbiased sources and voting

participation.

Transition: You don't have to think about doing this- you can go do it!

CONCLUSION

V. The Action Step

A. (Summary) With all the biases in news and decisions in elections, it is up to us to choose

the right way. The elections are our time to get our voice heard and vote to count.

B. (Call to Immediate Action) According to Thomas Jefferson, "Honesty is the first

chapter in the book of wisdom". If we are honest with ourselves, then we can accomplish

our goals.

1. I'm going to go on a challenge where I read an article from a balanced source like NPR,

PBS and BBC. I challenge you to read articles on these news sources.

2. Go on www.elections.state.md.us for information on voter registration. Elections start

June until November of 2018.

3. Write your own understanding of the issues on the news and reflect on actions to build a

stronger community.

C. (Memorable Close) You can get your voice heard and get honest about the facts. We can

all do this a step at a time.

1. Support your news stations that are honest and let your voice out

2. Thank you for being a wonderful audience!

 Audience Analysis

Age: 18 years and older because they are eligible to vote in the United States.

Demographics: A diverse set of races because many backgrounds have political opinions

and stances that vary. Young men and women should be in audience because they are

least politically active.

Attitudes: Audience will be positive in attitude and believe in choosing right media to

suit their beliefs.

References

Notice the correction to the layout of the citations.

Kaye, B. Johnson, T. (2016, December). Vol 60, Issue 4, p 604-623. Across the Great

Divide: How Partnerships and Perceptions of Media Bias Influence Changes in

Time Spent with Media. Retrieved from Communication & Mass Media

Complete.

http://search.ebscohost.com.montgomerycollege.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=tr

ue&db=ufh&AN=119572639&site=eds-live&scope=site

Westervelt, T. Mayur, R.(2016, November 18). Media Malpractice? Media Bias and the

2016 Election. Retrieved from Business Source Complete.

http://search.ebscohost.com.montgomerycollege.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=tr

ue&db=bth&AN=119594232&site=eds-live&scope=site
Sundar, Shyam. (2016, December 7). Social Media Users Must Start Checking Online

News Sources. Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, Gale 2017.

montgomerycollege.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K

CQRIU467955724/OVIC?u=rock77357&xid=fd8a63d2

Michelle Obama Quotes. (n.d.). Brainyquote.com. Retrieved November 3, 2017, from

Brainyquote.com Website:

https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/michelleob449071.html

Thomas Jefferson Quotes. (n.d.). Brainyquote.com. Retrieved November 3, 2017,

Brainyquote.com Website:

https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/thomasjeff101007.html