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Political Bias in the Media
Political Bias in the Media
Because mass media is a dominant source of information for the public, it is important that the information presented by mass media be dependable. Moreover, the information should be presented with integrity, and be devoid of political or personal bias. Mass media should be objective to allow the consumer to formulate his or her own opinions based on the facts contained within the media source. For all these standards and expectations is it conceivable to have mass media completely unbiased and objective?
The topic of the British Petroleum debacle in the gulf has been a major focus in the media. In late April 2010, the Deepwater Horizon, a deep sea oil rig leased by British Petroleum (BP) exploded, killing 11 rig workers (Welch & Joyner, 2010). Since that time oil has been leaking into the ocean, covering the surface waters, and carried by the currents into the marshlands of Louisiana and other coastal states. Louisiana relies heavily on its fishing and shrimping industry. Many local workers and company spokespersons have expressed concern on the damage the spill has done to the ecosystem upon which they rely for financial stability.
In an effort to combat the spill, BP used an estimated 1.8 million gallons of chemicals designed to disperse, and break down the oil slick adding additional concern to the communities on whether or not the chemicals could be found in the various plants and animals sold for food by the Louisiana companies (Charles, 2010). The question lingers on, “is the food safe for human consumption?” Many articles address these concerns with a surprising amount of variance in information.
In the article Louisiana Fisherman Slam Claims the Oil Almost Gone, Seafood Safe, written by Jacoba Charles, a correspondent for the SolveClimate news agency, many Louisiana residents express fear, and as the title suggests, are reluctant to believe reports by federal agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that the oil is nearly gone, and the food supplies are safe for consumption. The author of the article does not express any opinion regarding the state of the oil spill or its effect on the coastal state, but instead focuses on the opinions of the local communities that paint a picture more grim than that of other articles pertaining to the same event (Charles, 2010). The stated mission of the SolveClimate agency is to educate the reader about events that either cause harm or improve the ecological state of the world. In this mission, the company does carry a certain political agenda.
Conversely, in the article written for the Associated Press (AP) by Cain Burdeau and Jeffrey Collins, the attitude is more positive. The title of the article best represents its tone: In La., signs of regrowth seen in oiled marshes. The authors cited a local ecologist as stating that, based on what he has seen in the marshlands the impact to local fisheries would not be a significant issue. In addition, the authors cited a local crab fisherman who stated that he had not seen any oil or residue on the crabs and fish he caught, which he punctuated by saying “We're going to have us a crab boil” (Burdeau & Collins, 2010). The Associated Press has long been an organization that has portrayed information in an objective and unbiased fashion, and this article is no exception.
The Reuters article FDA: Oil Dispersants Won't Foul Seafood supports the same assertion in the AP article that the chemicals used by BP to combat the oil spill will not harm those who consume seafood and other products from that region. As in the AP article, this article outlines the FDA's position on the chemical dispersants in a way that is informative and objective. The article acknowledges opposing viewpoints but does an excellent job of providing credible sources to support its claims (Reuters, 2010).
The central theme of the articles revolve around the FDA and the Coastal Seafood industry’s recent affirmation that the oil spill clean-up is under control, and contamination of the chemical dispersant to humans is nonexistent. Although most of the articles analyzed seemed to be neutral in their reporting by addressing only facts along with arguments; nevertheless, the attitude of one particular article had a different tone.
Jacoba Charles goes beyond just reporting facts. By focusing on many local voices of opposition to the claims by the FDA, Charles represents the attitudes of the local coastal Louisiana fisherman living daily with the disastrous oil spill. They claim the oil is far from gone as suggested by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Many are concerned that the dispersant will eventually come to surface, and that BP’s solution is perhaps only temporary. The tone in this article is to bring a voice to those locals who are skeptical about the FDA’s reporting that the seafood lacks contaminates along with the government and media’s portrayal that the clean-up is under control.
As the NOAA has stated the oil is 75% gone, and that there is significant growth seen in the marsh where the cataclysmic oil spill has spread. Despite these claims there is skepticism and contrary evidence being presented. Although the Associated Press is reporting a significant improvement, there are anglers who say the opposite is true. While there are reports coming forth that the seafood is not negatively affected and the oil or chemical dispersant has not hurt the seafood, there are fishermen in the Louisiana area reporting the opposite (Burdeau & Collins, 2010).
Charles (2010) found the following:
In the small towns of coastal Louisiana, the widespread consensus is that the oil is far from gone. Fishermen return from working on cleanup crews or from recreational angling trips with stories of crabs whose lungs are black with oil, or of oysters with shells covered in sludge. They take photos and carry tarballs home like talismans to show what they have seen. They talk about their fears with anyone who will listen, and often their voices are tinged with panic.
Dawn Nunez is a store-owner in the oil soaked Louisiana region. She is concerned about eating the seafood and will not feed it to her children. She and her husband, who has worked with oil his whole life, are both confident the oil is still in the environment contrary to other reports saying it is mostly gone. They have seen the oil on marsh grass and seafood (Charles, 2010).
Brian Zito (2010), a commercial fisherman on Grand Isle stated:
I've been working with oil all my life. Dispersant is like soap, and if you wash your hands in a bucket your water will be all white and soapy and fine. But let that bucket sit there for a few hours and see what happens – all that oil is going to come back together.
When it comes to mass media in today’s world it is always best to check different sources when certain news break. A variety of media sources is needed to obtain more than a single viewpoint. Many times the stories one sees on CNN will not be aired on Fox news and vice versa. Another reason to check different media is that each media source either covers different stories or both cover the same story from a different viewpoint. One could argue that no network is perfect. Despite their best efforts, all mass media sources have at least some level of bias, which is why it is the responsibility of the consumer to separate fact from opinion.
In today’s world journalism has changed. Sometimes it seems as though there are more opinions floating around than facts. For example, when the BP spill occurred everyone had opinions on what to do and what they thought of the situation. In many cases it appeared organizations were merely tossing around criticism assuming the spill would be an easy task to undertake. Fox news criticized President Obama. MSNBC showed President Obama as doing his best. Many local news stations focused more on the factual information relating to the state of the oil spill. CNN did well to focus on the BP spill and avoid many of the politics altogether.
Another informative media source is the Internet. One has access to a broad range of media while also being able to read other viewers' opinions in addition to posting one's own views. The Internet is a diverse media source. Within it exists news websites, blogs, online newspapers, magazines, and more. Any given story can be posted in its entirety online. One must use caution online concerning blogs as some blogs tend to take news out of context. This can lead to unnecessary controversy and misinformation spreading throughout the Internet. It does not matter which single media source one uses. It is perhaps best to use multiple sources to obtain multiple viewpoints. One can then form one's own opinion based on the facts presented in each source.
Political bias is something that has occurred through the years. Today, most news networks will say they are fair and balanced although in some cases these same networks are biased toward a certain political party. This biased attitude exists not just on television, but also on the Internet, the newspaper, and on the radio. As long as consumers accept this behavior political bias will continue to influence the media. Still, many agencies pride themselves on reporting information in an unbiased fashion. Increasing one's media literacy, and one's ability to determine fact among fiction will aid in making sense of the tidal wave of information that today's average consumer is exposed to on a daily basis.
References
Burdeau, C., & Collins, J. (2010). In La., signs of regrowth seen in oiled marshes. Associated Press. Retrieved August 14, 2010 from http://hosted.ap.org
Charles, J. (2010). Louisiana fisherman slam claims the oil almost gone, seafood safe. SolveClimate. Retrieved August 14, 2010 from http://solveclimate.com
Reuters. (2010). FDA: Oil dispersants won't foul seafood. Retrieved August 14, 2010 from http://www.newsmaxhealth.com
Welch, W. M., & Joyner, C. (2010). Memorial service honors 11 dead oil rig workers. USA Today. Retrieved August 14, 2010 from www.usatoday.com
Role Models and Stereotypes
Role Models and Stereotypes
There isn’t a news outlet in today’s mass media that does not include a segment about celebrity news. For example, many have heard about actress Lindsey Lohan going to jail recently in radio stations, in local news, cable news, newspapers, and magazines. The reporting have all been similar. Lindsey has been portrayed by mass media as a drug addict who deserves to be bashed. The trend of openly making fun of celebrities who endure severe personal struggles has been very common in mass media. The strong interest in today's society to watch celebrities fall is the cause of celebrity gossip segments in mass media. There exists an overwhelming demand from consumers for entertainment news, therefore ratings and revenue-driven television, radio, newspapers, and magazines have included segments of celebrity news and gossip in there reporting.
Another example is Tiger Woods, a professional golf player, and his sex scandal accusations in which he later admits to marital infidelities. This has brought the topic on whether celebrities are fit to be role models. The segment of the population that views celebrities as role model is often young children. This brings about concern because young children can easily be influenced or let down because of their lack of media literacy. For example, if a 13 year-old boy or girl who aspires to be a golf player like Tiger Woods hears on the radio that Tiger Woods is a cheater and a liar for denying accusations about his adultery, this may cause confusion and loss of motivation for the child.
Mass media has an influence on the perceptions of those exposed to it in its various forms. In this respect, one could suggest that it is the strict responsibility of mass media to present its information in a way conducive to a positive outcome. In this process, mass media would focus on providing positive role models who represent certain ideal qualities or characteristics. One may then ask “does this character, this role model, represent reality?” By providing positive role models, and avoiding any negative character or element in the presented media, mass media may not be providing the best service to the general consumer.
Role models seem to be subject to the context in which they are presented. For example, a television series on the Disney channel will have different role models meant to appeal to children than perhaps ESPN or Comedy Central. Radio and newspapers seem rarely have people meant to appear as role models although it can be said that certain popular radio hosts are considered influential. Ironically, of the radio hosts who are the most influential, most of them would be considered by the moral majority to be negative role models, as in the case of Howard Stern or Don Imus.
It is important for mass media to provide positive role models but only in the context of reality. Unrealistic role models can cause a person more harm than good in some cases. For example, magazines that specialize in fashion often portray unrealistically thin fashion models. In an article concerning Anorexia Nervosa, an eating disorder that results in intentional malnourishment, eHealthMD.com states that due to messages from the media showing that extremely thin women are synonymous with beauty many women are pressured into trying to achieve this ultra-thin state despite the health risks involved (2002). This evidence further illustrates mass media's responsibility to present positive yet accurate role models for the average consumer. It would perhaps be wiser simply to avoid negative role models, although one may say such avoidance is not so easily accomplished.
Beyond role models, mass media is forced to contend with the idea of stereotypes. Stereotypes in general are commonplace in most societies in which people are prone to making assumptions about others from a different race, background, or nationality. In the film “Crash” by Paul Haggis, the very notions of stereotypes that the United States has faced as a nation for many years are tested. The film takes place in Los Angeles, which is a cultural melting pot compared to other major cities. The intent of the film seems to be aimed at challenging the assumptions the American society makes about its fellow members. It also shows that although they cannot be applied to all people of a certain class or race, stereotypes are still an influential force.
“Crash” is a film about race, ethnicity, stereotypes, and the unique ability for a person to rise above a stereotype, or to become a victim of it. The opening scene sets the pace for the film when, shortly after a traffic accident, an Asian woman and a Hispanic woman are arguing with one another about who is to blame for the accident. The Asian woman asserts that the Hispanic woman is at fault because she is Mexican and blinks too fast. In retaliation, the Hispanic woman suggests that the accident occurred because Asian people cannot drive. For many, these are commonplace stereotypes not based on any empirical evidence, but simply the musings of a prejudiced world.
The film continues to address a broad range of stereotypes such as the Persian store owner who is confused to be of Arabic descent, and whose store is vandalized as a result; the Hispanic locksmith who moved his family to a better neighborhood in an effort to keep his young daughter away from gang violence, yet he is accused of being dishonest by a wealthy Caucasian woman; the African American television director who struggles to maintain his individuality is a world that demands he behave in a manner that supports the stereotype of his ethnic background. In the end, “Crash” is a moving film about the complexities of human interaction.
A popular television series “Lost” grapples with the concept of stereotypes, although that seems secondary to its purpose. A group of plane crash survivors attempt to coexist on a deserted island while awaiting rescue. The group consists of a wide range of people; a confidence man from Louisiana, a drug-addicted rock star from England, a husband and wife from Korea, an Iraqi Republican Guard, and more. Throughout the series many assumptions are made about each person, and the series does well to portray both sides of each person's story; each character transcends the stereotypes while simultaneously supporting them to some extent.
To lump everyone into a general category is a discriminatory act that marginalizes people while alienating them from what one individual classifies as normal. Although stereotypes are often incorrect, “Crash” does provide examples in which the characters live up to the stereotypical expectations of others. Upon leaving a restaurant, two African-American males come in contact with a wealthy Caucasian husband and wife. The wife appears to be intimidated by the two African-American men. Her stereotyping turns out to be valid in this case as she and her husband are summarily robbed at gunpoint by the two young men.
Stereotypes do seem to be a form of discrimination. Arguably, it would be better to perhaps teach a child to mistrust everyone rather than to discriminate against a specific group based on stereotypes. A conflict arises when some stereotypes appear to be correct. A character in “Crash” indicates that the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is a predominantly racist organization. While that may seem like more of a stereotype, many occurrences in the past support this assertion. Stereotyping is not something that should be done because it is a hasty generalization based on fallacy. Instead, evidence should be gathered and used to support an opinion or belief. A better statement may be that the LAPD is not a racist organization, but rather that racism has been found to exist with some frequency in the members of that organization.
According to the Conflict Research Consortium at the University of Colorado:
“Stereotypes are generalizations, or assumptions, that people make about the characteristics of all members of a group, based on an image (often wrong) about what people in that group are like. For example, one study of stereotypes revealed that Americans are generally considered to be friendly, generous, and tolerant, but also arrogant, impatient, and domineering. Asians, on the other hand, were expected to be shrewd and alert, but reserved. Clearly, not all Americans are friendly and generous; and not all Asians are shrewd. If you assume you know what a person is like, and don't look at each person as an individual, you are likely to make errors in your estimates of a person's character. In conflicts, people tend to develop overly-negative images of the other side. The opponent is expected to be aggressive, self-serving, and deceitful, for example, while people view themselves in completely positive ways. These stereotypes tend to be self-perpetuating. If one side assumes the other side is deceitful and aggressive, they will tend to respond in a similar way. The opponent will then develop a similar image of the first party, and the negative stereotypes will be confirmed. They may grow worse, as communication is shut down and escalation heightens emotions and tension” (1998).
The media actively creates and continues to carry on stereotypes of people of color. It began before Hollywood was even created or the first film ever shot. Minorities have been portrayed as lower class, poor, and lazy. In many cases, people of authority often use these stereotypes for their own advantages. “Crash” presents a perfect example of this type of prejudiced behavior. An African-American television director and his wife were pulled over as they were driving home from an awards show. He and his wife did nothing wrong but were driving home in a nice car in a nice neighborhood. After pulling them over the police officer asks the husband step out of the car. The wife, who is drunk, steps out as well to defend her husband. The police officer and his partner thrust the husband and wife against the vehicle, and one officer runs his hands over the wife's body in a sexual manner.
The husband feels helpless because if he strikes against the offending officer he will be arrested but if he does nothing his wife will have been violated without repercussion. This scene clearly shows that prejudice can be wielded like a weapon by those who have power, and further supports the erroneous nature of racial profiling that occurs in both film and real life. Stereotypes like these lead to racism and bad judgments as evidenced by many assumptions both the characters, and humans in reality make about one another.
Stereotypes can cause people to make assumptions out of fear and ignorance. Like characters in media who often make hasty decisions based on assumptions and stereotypes, so do most human beings. Stereotypes, it could be said, do not belong today’s society but as long as the media continues to portray them in the news, movies, and TV shows they will live on. The audience not only feeds the stereotypes but also continues to believe them and to use them in everyday life. A world without stereotypes and prejudices could perhaps help humanity dissolve the fear and to come together to work toward building a better future for all who live upon this earth.
References
Abrams, J. J. (Producer) and Lieber, J. & Lindelof, D. (Writers). (2004). Lost [Television Series]. United States: ABC Studios.
Conflict Research Consortium. (1998). Inaccurate and Overly Hostile Stereotypes. Retrieved August 8, 2010 from http://www.colorado.edu/conflict/peace/problem/stereoty.htm
Health Information Publications. (2002). What causes Anorexia Nervosa? Retrieved August 7, 2010 from http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/anorexia/ANO_causes.html
The New York Times. (2010). Tiger Woods. Retrieved August 8, 2010, from http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/w/tiger_woods/index.html
Yari, B. (Producer) and Haggis, P. (Director). (2004). Crash [Motion Picture]. United States: Lions Gate Films.
