FOX News agreeing to pay $787.5 million to settle Dominion Voting Systems’ defamation suit, which was akin to the station’s admission that they knowingly reported false information, as well as the firing of controversial FOX anchor Tucker Carlson, have put a necessary spotlight on the potential bias of journalists and their news outlets.
The media is often seen as the gatekeeper of information and the watchdog of democracy, with the power to shape public opinion and influence decision-making. However, in recent times, the media’s impartiality has been called into question, with outlets on both the right and left being accused of biased reporting, sensationalism, and clickbait headlines. The fact that we now openly refer to media sources according to their political biases is testament to the problem.
With today’s intricate political landscape, it’s important for news consumers to understand the complexities and biases journalists and media outlets may hold, so they can be more intentional readers and viewers of news stories. Media consumers must take responsibility for the information they consume.
Here are some things to look for when evaluating the media for bias:
1. Which stories are or are not being presented?
It’s the classic “what sound does a tree make when it falls in the forest?” idea. If a story doesn’t get coverage – does it matter? How will the public stay informed? With the FOX News / Dominion story, while many outlets like CNN spent hours discussing the settlement the day it was announced, according to the New York Times, FOX News only gave it a passing mention in their newscasts. Understanding who is speaking, and who is staying silent, are important factors to use when evaluating the aspects of an issue.
2. What’s the source?
When evaluating if a piece of media is credible or not, it’s important to consider the source, and to where the facts are attributed. Outlets like FOX News, Epoch Times, and, the Washington Examiner are right-leaning media sources, while outlets like The Atlantic, MSNBC, and the Huffington Post are left-leaning sources. Understanding the political lens through which the news site reports is crucial to remember when consuming a story.
3. Are they more focused on non-verbal factors rather than context?
When a media outlet is covering a person, it’s important to focus on which factors the piece highlights. Recently, The New York Times reported on Democrat Marianne Williamson’s kickoff of her second presidential campaign. When dissecting Williamson’s kickoff video, the NYT reporter Reid J. Epstein wrote, “’Some people in this city don’t have the spine or the moral courage to fix it,’ Ms. Williamson said, lowering her voice two octaves for effect.” By calling attention to how she sounded, the reporter redirected the focus from what Williamson was saying to her tone – a historically sexist technique to strip power away from women in leadership. Note too, that this slight came from a left-leaning news source. Also, for consideration: did the reporter have an obligation to share with readers the auditory details of the speech as a way to provide a fuller picture of the event in a print news medium? Hence the complexity of the issues; they are not always cut and dry.
4. Am I just getting my news from people I agree with?
Although it’s natural to prefer to consume news and stories that validate our own internal perceptions and opinions, doing so leaves us with a limited perspective on the issues at hand. Although you may not agree with the reporting from the other side, it’s helpful and important to understand their arguments as well, so that you can get a full picture of the issues. As an example, I lean left politically and typically agree with the majority of Democratic values and issues. However, I make it a point to tune-in to FOX’s weeknight segment, The Five, in which three Republicans, one Democrat, and one Libertarian discuss the day’s hot issues and topics. This helps to better inform my opinion, shape my understanding of how people view the issues, and provide me with more context.
Awareness about media ethics has intensified since the 2020 election and now the debate surrounding the impartiality of the media is ongoing and requires constant scrutiny. As consumers, it’s important to approach news sources with a critical eye and take into account the complexities of maintaining journalistic objectivity. The Dominion lawsuit against Fox News serves as a reminder that the media are legally required to report according to journalistic ethics and with integrity. Ultimately, it’s up to both journalists and consumers to uphold the importance of trustworthy reporting and to prioritize accuracy and fairness in the dissemination of information.
