How do we address bias in the media? Should we expect more from the press?

Question

Bias is real. It exists on both sides. We all know that. (At least I REALLY hope we all know that.) As I am more liberal leaning, the liberal bias doesn’t bother me as much as the conservative bias. But this article made me think it should. In fact, maybe it should bother me even more.  If you’re up for a good read (and  hopefully a good discussion) keep reading...

So, if you made it through all of those screenshots, what do you think? How do we justify ignoring the stories and voices from such a huge demographic? And where can we find these stories? Do I have to start watching Fox News?! 😖

Answer

Yes media bias does exist in BOTH sides. I lean more conservative ( some beliefs different) whenever I hear a story on the news or on Facebook that I find significant I do A LOT of research on BOTH sides so I can have a better understanding and can make my own decision instead of just believing everything I’m told.
Honestly all of America needs to get a clue, stop being lazy, and do your research. Yes it takes time but it’s well worth it to stay informed. It’s like when you took government in high school ( or college) it’s a requirement because you should know how things work so you aren’t ignorant to the whole thing. 
I think that news stations should not have a side that they favor or lean towards. I think that they should report everything they find significant and give both sides to it so they remain bias. 
It’s easy to just believe everything you see in the news or social media but we need to make an effort to educate ourselves like the NPR host did.

Answer

wow this was refreshing. I hope more journalists start doing this.

Answer

This was really refreshing and he makes a valid point. I am more conservative and do listen to conservative sources, but I try and temper that with other sources like CNN and additional research. I just as easily roll my eyes at Hannity or Rush when their political opining is too ridiculous or far-fetched. Their popularity is mostly due to a large group of people who feel disenfranchised or underrepresented in mainstream media. People aren’t eager to turn to news outlets where they feel news stories representing “their side” are suppressed and buried. Personally, I listen to Fox News not because I agree with everything the reporters and commentators say, but because it is pretty much the only major news outlet where you will find a differing opinion or another side of the story. Like anything else you should try your best to do your due diligence before forming an opinion, but even that is difficult for most people who may have limited time to spend investigating which sources present the most unbiased news, or at least equally represent both sides. If you are working a full-time job (or two) and raising a family you’re not gonna my to spend your evenings watching/reading and comparing the merits of each news outlet. So you’ll turn to the one that you know at least more closely represents “your side”.
I have said something similar, about disenfranchised people, since Trump was elected. The political polarization we have now existed before him; it just now has a louder voice. He was elected based on this polarization. A country that elected Obama twice suddenly makes a U-turn in the vastly opposite direction? Hillary was just supposed to be a continuation of Obama’s presidency, and Trump has a difficult time even winning the support of his own party, so what gives? Hillary herself was a flawed candidate, but it was more than that. I believe it was largely about disenfranchisement. A republican base who was tired of being lied to by career republican political officials, and a more moderate or left-leaning republican population that was pushed further right the more they perceived political bias from the left and mainstream media.

Answer

I liked reading this, it's so true for this sorta thing to happen a lot. The other day I was listening to a conservative woman who wanted to go into journalism but wasn't enjoying college as the professors were very liberal and the stances she has were being ridiculed - not her work. She was thinking of not bothering and looking into literature instead. How sad :/

Answer

Personally, (and no, that's a lot to go through so early in the morning, so I didn't make it to the end,) but, I feel like if you really want a good fair and unbiased news story, you need to forget about all the other major networks and news outlets, and just stick with your local programming. I've found channel 4, 7 and 11 to be quite unbiased and they stick to the facts, and they even cover world news. So I get information on what's really going on in the world, without all the biased and negative opinions from either side. I also like they highlight stories that are rather heartwarming too. Like with channel 11, they highlight a child, or even a group of siblings in foster care that are in need of an adoption every week! They actually go out of their way to get to know that child, and they tell that child's story in an effort to try to find him/her a forever home. They also highlight stories of service and members who are trying to help the community. You still hear about what's happening in other countries and what's going on in the world, such as shootings and rampages... but as many horrible things that go on in the world, there's still a lot of good things that happen too. That's why I'm more partial to local news as opposed to major biased news outlets such as CNN and Fox News.

How do we address bias in the media? Should we expect more from the press?

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