Navigating Bias

Part 1: Visit the news websites listed below and choose a headline from each one. Then, explain what bias is
inherent in each headline and what specific words or connotations show that. Finally, answer the questions below.

News Website Headline Bias Analysis

CNN It’s 4/20. Cannabis Stocks are The adjectives “smoking hot”, while
www.cnn.com Smoking Hot a fun play on words, shows bias
toward the purchase of cannabis
stocks. It positively shows praise in
it’s characterization.

Fox News Biden ignores rioting that marred
www.foxnews.com summer of George Floyd protests
after Chauvin convicted
This is bias against the way that
Biden has been handling riots. The
word “ignores” is a word that
depicts the telling of one side. It
makes it seem like there is no other
discussion in the matter. It vaguely
points the audience away from
Biden, without any substantial
evidence.

AP News The juxtaposition of the word urge,

www.apnews.com
DiCaprio, Fonda urge US not to
sign climate deal with Brazil
and climate deal creates an
emotional tie to Fonda and climate
deal. Urge is a strong verb that
creates bias to the person talking
and not the topic being discussed.

How are these headlines different They all have very flavorful and carefully chosen words. Headlines are
and what do they have in common? supposed to make a person want to read more while still getting their
message across, and the words chosen to be included in the headlines
very thoroughly let the audience know what they are all about.

They are all about different topics, and the first one doesn’t include a
name of any kind while the other two do.

Why do news organizations have
different stories if the same things
are happening?
As we discussed in class, there are different versions and sides of the
story that certain people will pay attention to. As so many people are
brought up very devoted to political views, they’ll find it hard to trust an
article that is too different from what they believe. So news organizations
write a bunch of stories to reach all branches of belief.

Part 2: Go to allsides.com and choose a topic addressed on varying news networks. Read the articles and examine
them for biased language, similarities, and differences.

Questions Answers
List the three headlines: 1. Jury finds Derek Chauvin guilty
2. Derek Chauvin found guilty on all accounts in the murder of George Floyd
3. Derek Chauvin found guilty on all charges in George Floyd’s death

What do they all They all clearly state that Derek Chauvin was found guilty of 2 charges of murder
include? and 1 of manslaughter.
“ found guilty of second- and third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.”
(article 2). This same thing is stated similarly throughout the other two.
 Both the USA today and huff post article include the distinguishment that Derek Chauvin is
a white police officer. “Chauvin, who is white”(usa today) and “Minneapolis officer, who is
white”(huffpost)

All three articles discuss George Floyd’s heart problems that he struggled with before death.
Saying things like hes “been grappeling with addiction”(huffpost) and there were “potentially
lethal levels of drugs in his system”(DW) and “the defense argued underlying heart
issues”(USA)

How are they different? The USA today article talks about the trial, however also heavily discussed the
Be specific and cite actions that we must take now. “expressed hope for the city in a post-verdict
evidence. statement Tuesday night while asking for “calm, safety and peace in our
communities.”’

DW article talks about how the jurors could likely be influenced by what has been
going on in the media and outside world. “despite jurors likely being
“bombarded” with outside messaging and media reports about the case.”

The huff post article brings to light a string of other deaths in the black
community. “killed a Black man on April 11. Daunte Wright, 20, was shot by a
veteran officer who says she mistook her firearm for a stun gun.”