These days everyone accuses the mainstream news outlets of bias. Fox News, once we know, is perceived to function as benchmark for conservative news broadcasting. On the other hand, MSNBC has evolved, particularly within recent years, because the liberals’ direct response to Fox News. Online, we find the Drudge Report on one side and the Huffington Post on another. And, of course, we can not forget the real or perceived biases linked to the rest of the “liberal media”, such as the New York Times, CNN, and whoever else. Due to this, it is important for the those that follow the news to comprehend the subtle techniques by which media outlets attempt to bias their consumers. The following list identifies the most typical techniques that try to bend the viewer and reader of news to a given point of view. They are as follows:

5) Perceived facts and actual facts

What are the facts of the story? Probably the most non-biased stories only describe the reality, i.e., who, what, why, when, where, and how. To increase list of conservative websites , a reporter can include eye witness account(s) or expert opinions. In many instances, however, news outlets will air a story based on a couple of perceived facts. Remember, facts are concrete , nor change unless influenced by other facts. Commonly held opinions ‘re normally confused with facts, such as “MSNBC and Fox News are really biased news organizations.”

4) Sources and “experts”

Who is quoted in the story? Eye witness sources will be the most credible. In many instances, however, in the lack of eye witness sources, the news headlines outlet will turn to experts to greatly help elucidate the meaning of the reality within the story. You can identify whether an expert can be an expert? Or does the “expert” have plans? Perhaps the best types of non-expert exerts are politicians. A story on climate change, for instance, may include “expert” testimony from the politician. If the politician didn’t come from a specialist or academic background that studied climate science, however, chances are the news outlet is interested in either supporting or discrediting given arguments within the broader debate over climate change.

3) Word choice

Word choice may be the most subtle and manipulative ways to bias the viewer. The best reporters stick to simple and clear language to communicate the reality within a story. Because there are many linguistic tricks reporters employ to implicitly communicate bias, such tricks may be difficult to identify inside a passive viewing environment, such as TV news. The very best example is the commonly used implication that a vast majority inside a given demographic share the same opinion, for example: “the American people believe…” or “lots of people say…”

2) Omission of context

The most commonly cited defense for all those chastised by the media is “I was taken out of context…” Indeed, given today’s reporting, they’re probably right. Snippets from speeches or other sources are easily strung together in a series of quotes that may either indict or exonerate a person or organization’s opinion.

1) Story selection

Watch the headlines, read the stories. There are several news outlets that only air stories which cast doubt upon one political philosophy and/or prop up their very own. It is fascinating to look at such sites and identify the techniques where they choose to influence the reader and viewer. Will be the headlines sensationalized? Do all them tend to point in one direction? Most of all, are the stories even newsworthy or are they attempting to manufacture controversy?