Opinion is the journalist’s views which might, or might not, be based on analysis. Too often if there is analysis, it’s superficial, not necessarily balanced and contaminated by the opinion which, overtly or not, seeks to persuade.
Lack of balance shows bias in many forms, and not just in opinion pieces. One of those is labelling.
Labels are routinely attached to people and groups of which journalists and commentators disapprove but not to those they approve. For example Greenpeace is never called left wing but the Taxpayers’ Union is often, and mistakenly because the TU is politically agnostic, labelled right wing; people standing up for women’s rights are labelled transphobic but those who threaten those rights are never labelled misogynist; people who want everyone to be treated equally are called racist but that epithet is never applied to those wanting special treatment based on race.
Another way lack of balance shows bias is in what is featured and what is not; whose actions and statements are reported, and whose opinions are sought and quoted.
Straight analysis by contrast is a detailed examination of facts, presented in a balanced way that leaves it up to the listeners, readers or viewers to form their own opinions.
An analytical approach is what ought to be taken in straight news. Too often it’s skewed by opinion and too many opinion pieces lack analysis, seeking not to inform but to influence or even indoctrinate. That is why so many have such a low opinion of the media.
Ele Ludemann is a North Otago farmer and journalist, who blogs HERE - where this article was sourced.
Labels are routinely attached to people and groups of which journalists and commentators disapprove but not to those they approve. For example Greenpeace is never called left wing but the Taxpayers’ Union is often, and mistakenly because the TU is politically agnostic, labelled right wing; people standing up for women’s rights are labelled transphobic but those who threaten those rights are never labelled misogynist; people who want everyone to be treated equally are called racist but that epithet is never applied to those wanting special treatment based on race.
Another way lack of balance shows bias is in what is featured and what is not; whose actions and statements are reported, and whose opinions are sought and quoted.
Straight analysis by contrast is a detailed examination of facts, presented in a balanced way that leaves it up to the listeners, readers or viewers to form their own opinions.
An analytical approach is what ought to be taken in straight news. Too often it’s skewed by opinion and too many opinion pieces lack analysis, seeking not to inform but to influence or even indoctrinate. That is why so many have such a low opinion of the media.
Ele Ludemann is a North Otago farmer and journalist, who blogs HERE - where this article was sourced.
2 comments:
NewsHub aren't called ViewsGrub for no reason.
Well said, Ele !
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