It's important to be aware of the political slant of media sources when conducting research or gathering information, especially for a report of an investigation. Different media outlets may have different political ideologies and biases that influence the way they report on events and issues and they can have an effect on the tone and even the findings of your investigative report. As I have mentioned in another recent blog post, the same story can be reported wildly differently by FOX NEWS vs. CNN or MSNBC. Here are some ways to assess the political slant of a media source:
Check its ownership
The ownership of a media outlet can indicate its political slant. For example, a media outlet owned by a conservative organization is likely to have a conservative bias, and a media outlet owned by a liberal organization is likely to have a liberal bias.
Look at its editorial policies
Media outlets often have stated editorial policies that outline their stance on political issues. You can usually find these policies on the outlet's website or in its mission statement.
Read multiple sources
It's important to read multiple sources to get a well-rounded view of an issue. This can help you to identify the biases of individual media sources and get a more accurate understanding of the issue.
Check fact-checking websites
Fact-checking websites like PolitiFact and FactCheck.org can help you to verify the accuracy of information reported by different media outlets and assess their political biases. However, critics of fact-checking entities say those sites are biased as well. Use your best judgment with these sites also.
By being aware of the political slant of media sources, you can make informed decisions about the information you choose to trust and use in your research or investigation.
Kommentare