Resources for Episodes 032: Media Lies (Media Bias and What You Can Do)
RESOURCES FOR FINDING BALANCED PERSPECTIVE ON NEWS AND EDITORIALS:
Realclearpolitics.com provides access to many views on the same issue for balance.
Canadian, Australia, and London based Quillette.com
Explanation of Circular Reporting:
Circular reporting occurs when a paper like the Washington Post reports a story run by the New York Times as news. Then an organization like Yahoo News reports that two newspapers “report” x, y, and z. This gives the appearance of verification of facts.
EXAMPLES OF MEDIA BIAS:
The New York Times explains firing editor James Bennet for allowing dissenting opinions
General Motors sues NBC for faking an exploding gas tank in 1993 and NBC apologizes, agreeing to settle lawsuit:
NBC Admits It Rigged Crash, Settles GM Suit (LA Times)
NBC Settles Truck Crash Lawsuit, Saying Test Was 'Inappropriate' (NY Times)
New York Times retracts story about Officer Sicknick’s death from Capitol Riot:
New York Times quietly updates report on fire extinguisher striking Capitol Police officer (Washington Examiner)
The Times Corrects the Record on Officer Sicknick’s Death, Sort Of (National Review)
Washington Post forced to retract false story about Trump phone call to Georgia investigator:
‘The story was a hoax’: Donald Trump hits out after stunning Washington Post retraction (News.com.au)
Opinion: The Post publishes correction on Trump call with Georgia investigator (Washington Post)
CNN erroneously reports on Trump phone call to investigator
Wall Street Journal get the story right
CNN falsely reports that there is no consensus on how to tell baby’s gender at birth
Newspapers using unverified anonymous sources
Washington Post critical of CNN’s use of unverified anonymous sources retracts (again)—but does same
CNN gives award to journalist who admittedly fabricated 14 “news stories.”