Media bias in the United States | Solutional Webdesign Antwerpen

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Media bias^[2] in the United States refers to the perceived or actual bias in how news and events are covered by media outlets in the country. This bias, which has historical roots, can be influenced by a range of factors, such as the personal beliefs of journalists, the profit-driven nature of media corporations, and the influence of advertisers and powerful sponsors. Over time, media bias has evolved and can now be seen in traditional print media, broadcast news, and social media^[1] platforms. This bias can manifest itself in various ways, including through the misrepresentation of facts, sensationalism, and the skewing of news to cater to certain political ideologies. Importantly, perceptions of media bias can differ greatly among audiences, often along political lines. Media bias also extends to specific areas such as race and gender, affecting how certain stories and individuals are portrayed in the media.

Terms definitions

1. ↑ social media. Social media is a broad term encompassing a variety of digital tools and platforms that facilitate the sharing of information and the creation of virtual communities. Emerging from early systems like PLATO and ARPANET, it has evolved into modern platforms like Facebook and Twitter. These platforms offer unique features that differentiate them from traditional media, including the ability for users to generate content and engage in dialogic communication. They cater to over 100 million users globally and offer different forms of services, such as messaging apps and collaborative content creation platforms. The use of social media has far-reaching impacts on individuals, society, and businesses, influencing everything from marketing practices to political processes. However, it's also associated with ethical concerns, such as the spread of misinformation and potential addiction.

2. ↑ Media bias ( Media bias ) Media bias refers to the tendency of news outlets to present information in a way that aligns with certain viewpoints or interests, rather than providing a balanced and fair representation of events. It can take various forms such as partisan, corporate, sensationalism, omission, and selection of sources. The impact of media bias is significant, shaping public opinion, influencing political decisions, and altering societal perceptions. It can also lead to misinformation and affect the public's trust in media. There are several factors contributing to media bias which include ownership of media outlets, political affiliations, audience preferences, economic interests, and journalistic standards. Examples of media bias include framing of news stories, selective reporting, editorial decisions, headline sensationalism, and lack of diversity in perspectives. Strategies to combat media bias include fact-checking, media literacy programs, promoting diverse news sources, transparency in reporting, and public accountability of media outlets.

Glossary

Media bias in the United States (Wikipedia)

Claims of media bias generally focus on the idea of media outlets reporting news in a way that seems partisan. Other claims argue that outlets sometimes sacrifice objectivity in pursuit of growth or profits.

Some academics in fields like media studies, journalism, communication, political science and economics have looked at bias of the news media in the United States as a component of their research. In addition to bias, academics and others also evaluate factors like media reliability and overall press freedom. Academic studies tend not to confirm a popular media narrative of liberal journalists producing a left-leaning media bias, though some studies suggest economic incentives may have that effect. Instead, the studies reviewed by S. Robert Lichter generally found the media to be a conservative force in politics.

Some recent polls show half (or more) of respondents expressing concern about media bias in the United States.

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