16 types of media

Spin

Is when media twist a story, pushes readers away from the truth. Usually use dramatic words to appeal to ethos.

Unsubstantiated claims

When media makes a claim but, does not have the proof to support the claim. Trying to make it sound real. They may appear as fact, do not having specific evidence to support it.

Opinion Statements Presented as Facts

media that is subjective, has the writers opinions in the article that may cause people to believe that it is fact. not built with fact that can back up their opinion. Some writers may blur the line between the two, that may lead to confusion.

Sensationalism/Emotionalism

refers to when media gives shock factor or a deep impression to readers usually for entertainment, and are often fill with false facts, is vague and dramatic.

Mudslinging/Ad Hominem

Usually to insult someone; “drag them through the mud”. to try to damage someone’s reputation through the writing. Attacks person, not ideas.

Mind Reading

When writers assume they know how another person thinks, when they think how they see the world is really what the world is like.

Slant

When a writer only tells parts of a story, not giving readers the full story to understand.

Flawed Logic

faulty reason, when writers come to a conclusion that is not supported/justified by the evidence. Misrepresenting people’s opinions.

Bias by Omission

When media decides not to cover certain stories to favor a side/viewpoint. Not writing about informations so they can favor a viewpoint.

Omission of Source Attribution

Informative, balanced article that gives readers a background/context to a story, providing sources that aren’t specific. EX: “(supporters of the bill)”

Bias by Story Choice and Placement

A story or viewpoint that can be found in the article that reveal media bias on the viewpoints that the editors found most important.

Subjective Qualifying Adjectives

Writing that can show subjective media bias by adding opinion based words in front of specific words or phases. Interpreting a word for the readers instead of them interpreting the word.

Word Choice

Words used in writing that show media bias, revealing their favor towards a certain viewpoint.

Photo Bias

Picture that can be used to shape readers emotions based on the photo used, can make readers feel a certain way about a person or event that the article is talking about.

Negativity Bias

A type of bias in which reporters will write an event in a more negative way, emphasizing negative news to shine a negative light on the event.

Elite v. Populist Bias

Bias in which reporters defer to the beliefs, viewpoints of wealthy/prestigious people. V.S. Reporters that defer to the beliefs, viewpoints of people that are more dissent from prestigious institutions.