U.S. History | Shea

Media Bias Chart downloaded September 2024

Ad Fontes Media regularly analyzes various media outlets and updates this chart. See the newest version and take a look at their methodology on their site.

Triangulating evidence in your news is one way to fact-check breaking reports from the press.  

When an event breaks, choose at least three trustworthy professional journalism outlets. The BBC, Washington Post, and New York Times all follow a strict Journalism Code of Ethics. Look up the reporting on the event in three sites to see what evidence is repeated in each. For further vetting, wait twenty-four hours after the event and repeat the triangulating exercise.    

When evaluating sources, keep these definitions in mind.  Suppose you gravitate to biased sources that agree with your hypothesis, opinion, and/or belief. In that case, seeking objective information to research your topic holistically is a red flag. Who knows? Your original opinion might be wrong!  

Definitions

The following definitions will help you in assessing viewpoints.  

• Bias: Prejudice or preconceived notion that causes a person to favor one person or side of the debate over another. In other words, a bending of facts, cherry-picking of facts, or a complete fabrication of information to fit a preconceived narrative.  
• Confirmation bias: When conducting research, it is natural to give more weight to information and arguments that agree with your original opinions and/or beliefs.
• Moderate: Holding views that are neither excessive nor extreme.
• Neutral: Not aligned with any side in a controversy or a particular political or ideological group.
• Objective: Without bias. An objective position aims to be based on fact rather than on personal feelings or prejudices.
• Subjective: With bias or preconceived views. A subjective opinion is more affected by personal viewpoints or experiences than by fact.

Source: “Exploring Point of View .” World News Digest. Infobase Learning, n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2017. <http://wnd.infobaselearning.com/recordurl.aspx?wid=101092&nid=485001&umbtype=0>.