Panhandle Library Access Network Session 3: Understanding News Media Bias

Presenter:

Alee Quick

People frequently perceive and allege bias in news coverage, but what does this really mean? What makes a piece of news biased, and who decides? What role do our own biases play in our perceptions of bias? This session explores this vital, controversial and complex topic in ways that empower librarians, educators, students and library patrons to meaningfully evaluate the fairness and impartiality of news coverage. In the session, we will:

• Reflect on the ideal of avoiding bias as a standard of quality journalism.
• Analyze actual examples of news and other information and reflect on the nuanced, highly subjective nature of perceived bias in news.
• Learn an approach for evaluating potential bias in news by recognizing different types of potential bias and the forms they can take in coverage.
• Explore the limitations of popular media bias charts and rating systems.