The media is biased. Not liberally or conservatively as some would suggest, the medias main two biases are Corporate and competitive.
The Media’s first bias is its own profit and loss statements. The media and the news media in particular have put sensationalist stories and programs above quality and thoroughness. We have gone from OJ, the trial of the last century, to Michael Jackson, the trial of this century. Meanwhile the Supreme Court works on case of true importance involving freedom of political speech, the detention of foreign nationals without a trial and the balance between the freedom of religion and the establishment of religion. I think that if you took a poll of the average citizen they would know far, far more about the Jackson case that the ten biggest Supreme Court cases combined. Meanwhile camera crews are searching for the best camera angles in Rome awaiting the passing of the Pope.
Competition between media sources leads to sensationalist journalism as media corporations compete for an audience in an increasingly competitive market. The members of the media are constantly looking to break a story that will increase their future ratings, and that they will be able to brag about. Healthy competition is a good thing for the media and in theory it would make the media better, but in reality it causes the media to not ask tough questions in fear of offending its viewers and losing ratings.
People tend to watch media outlets that reinforce their own positions, and in today’s world they have many options to choose from. For instance a republican would be more likely to watch the right wing Fox news channel, and a liberal would not be as likely to watch that channel.
There is extreme bias in the media and there are the opinions of even the most neutral reporter that influences the stories that they cover. The viewer needs to beware and be aware of extreme and subtle biases in the media, consider differing opinions and reach their own conclusions.
