Media Theory & Media Bias

confirmation bias

the tendency to seek out, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms one’s preexisting beliefs or expectations while ignoring or downplaying contradictory evidence

motivated reasoning

the cognitive process where people interpret information in a way that aligns with their desires, emotions, or preexisting beliefs, rather than engaging in objective analysis

selective exposure

the tendency to seek out and consume information that aligns with one’s existing beliefs, attitudes, or preferences while avoiding information that challenges them

Bennett’s information biases

systematic distortions in how people process and interpret information, often leading to misperceptions and flawed decision-making

personalization

a focus on individual actors or human-interest stories rather than broader systemic or structural issues. This can make complex problems seem like they stem from personal failings rather than larger societal forces

dramatization

an emphasis on sensational, conflict-driven, or emotionally compelling stories rather than nuanced or in-depth reporting. This prioritizes entertainment value over substantive information

fragmentation

tlhe tendency to present news in isolated, disconnected segments rather than as part of a broader, coherent narrative. This makes it harder for audiences to see patterns or understand long-term trends

politics as a game

a frame that refers to the tendency of media and political discourse to portray politics as a strategic competition rather than a debate over substantive issues

Gladstone’s List of Bias

outlines ways in which journalism and news reporting can be distorted. These biases shape how news is selected, framed, and presented, often influencing public perception

commercial bias

news organizations prioritize stories that attract audiences and advertisers rather than those that are most important. Sensational or entertaining stories often take precedence over in-depth analysis

bad news bias

negative news, such as crime, disasters, and scandals, is more likely to be reported because it grabs attention. This can lead to a skewed perception that the world is more dangerous or chaotic than it actually is

status quo bias

the media often portrays existing social, political, and economic systems as natural or preferable, making significant change seem risky or unrealistic

access bias

journalists may shape stories to maintain relationships with powerful sources, such as government officials or corporate executives, which can lead to biased or incomplete reporting

visual bias

stories with compelling images or video footage are more likely to be covered, even if they are not the most important. This can distort public perception of what issues are actually significant

narrative bias

journalists prefer stories with clear narratives, such as heroes and villains or conflicts with resolutions. This can lead to oversimplification of complex issues

fairness bias

the tendency to present both sides of an issue as equally valid, even when the evidence overwhelmingly supports one side. This can create false equivalence, as seen in debates over climate change or vaccine safety

Checkology Bias List

outlines several key biases that influence news coverage and public perception, these biases help explain how information is selected, framed, and presented in ways that may not always align with objective truth

partisan bias

news outlets may favor one political party, ideology, or viewpoint, influencing how they report stories. This bias can be explicit (e.g., openly supporting a political side) or subtle (e.g., framing issues in ways that favor one perspective)

corporate bias

media companies, especially those owned by large corporations, may shape coverage to protect their financial interests, advertisers, or parent companies. Certain topics may be underreported or framed in ways that align with business priorities

demographic bias

the perspectives and backgrounds of journalists and media executives influence what stories are told and how they are framed. News coverage may reflect the experiences of dominant social groups while overlooking marginalized voices

'big story' bias

some stories receive intense coverage simply because they are trending, dramatic, or widely shared, rather than because they are the most important or impactful. This can lead to sensationalism and the neglect of less flashy but significant issues

neutrality bias

also known as false balance, this occurs when journalists try to appear neutral by giving equal weight to opposing sides, even when the facts overwhelmingly support one side. This can mislead audiences by creating a false sense of debate on settled issues (e.g., climate change, vaccine effectiveness)

Checkology Forms of Bias

identifies key forms of bias that influence how news is presented, shaping public perception and understanding

framing

the way a story is structured or presented can influence how audiences interpret it. This includes choices in wording, emphasis, or perspective that shape the way an issue is perceived

story selection

news outlets may choose to cover certain stories while ignoring others, shaping public awareness of issues. This can create bias by highlighting particular narratives while omitting alternative perspectives

absence of fairness and balance

a lack of diverse perspectives or an uneven presentation of viewpoints can lead to biased coverage. This can occur when only one side of a debate is represented or opposing viewpoints are misrepresented

tone

the language, imagery, or emotional cues used in reporting can shape audience perceptions. A news story’s tone can make an issue seem more urgent, controversial, or trivial

flawed sourcing

the credibility and diversity of sources used in a news story can affect its objectivity. Over-reliance on government officials, corporate spokespeople, or a limited pool of experts can lead to biased reporting

Media dependency theory

a communication theory that explains how individuals and society rely on mass media for information, particularly in times of uncertainty or change.

Uses and gratifications theory

a communication theory that focuses on why and how people actively seek out media to satisfy specific needs or desires

Third person effect theory

a communication theory that suggests people tend to believe that others are more influenced by media messages than they are themselves

Agenda setting theory

is a communication theory that explains the ability of the media to influence the salience (importance) of issues in the public agenda

Gatekeeping theory

a communication theory that focuses on how information is filtered and selected by media outlets before it reaches the public

Attribute agenda setting

a concept that builds upon the traditional Agenda-Setting Theory, but focuses not only on what issues are made salient in the media, but also on how those issues are portrayed through specific attributes

Second level agenda setting

the idea that the media not only influences what issues are considered important by the public (first-level agenda-setting) but also shapes how those issues are perceived

Framing theory

a communication theory that explains how the media and other communicators shape the way people perceive and understand issues, events, or topics

Priming theory

a psychological and communication theory that explains how media exposure can influence people's subsequent judgments, attitudes, and behaviors by activating certain cognitive associations

Hostile media effect

refers to a phenomenon in which individuals with strong pre-existing attitudes or beliefs about a particular issue perceive media coverage of that issue as biased, unfair, or hostile toward their viewpoint, even if the media coverage is actually neutral or balanced