Strategies for eliminating media bias

A fine line between opinion based comments and untrue statements can be a difficult distinction. What constitutes fact based observations and opinionated remarks? Media bias is evident throughout news reporting agencies. News outlets walk on the fine line of reporting on specific truths versus opinion based fallacies. Student News Daily says

“Since citizens cannot cast informed votes or make knowledgeable decisions on matters of public policy if the information on which they depend is distorted, it is vital to American democracy that television news and other media be fair and unbiased.”

When reporting on a news story or commenting on public figures, a reporter’s job is to understand both sides of the story. Offering true statements allows for a more informed and diverse understanding of a story. When important matters such as voting pop up, informed citizens are necessary in order to choose a person that represents the needs of society.

Libel Law is an important set of rules that shape the laws around which statements are considered defamatory (Freedom Forum Institute). Although Libel Law does not cover opinion based statements that harm a person’s reputation, the set of rules does protect a person from facts that are proven to be untrue. Libel Law is an essential function of mitigating media bias because of the repercussions a person would face if they were to state untrue ‘facts’.

Defamatory claims are easier to prove amongst private figures as the only information needed in court is evidence that the offender published negligent information that harmed the other private figure (Electronic Frontier Foundation). Notable public figures are people who can influence a mass grouping of individuals due to their position of power within the media (Electronic Frontier Foundation). Public figures are influential within the media because their voices reach a large audience. If facts are untrue, an uneducated individual will buy into the claims of a supposedly trustworthy public figure. This will sway public opinions on important issues.

A situation where I would find a challenge while reporting on a topic would be researching supposed true statements even when I do not agree with what is being said. Offering thoughtful information includes having an unbiased mindset when diving into an issue. An important function for me to avoid bias when researching a topic is to garner an understanding of the population a statement of fact is reaching. If I come from a different background than another person, our views on an issue might be different. Researching and experiencing another viewpoint can lead to less bias when reporting on a topic.

Although efforts to protect people from facts that are proven to be untrue are being made, bias within the media is still a common occurrence. When statements of influence are made, thorough research regarding a topic is necessary to build trust amongst the public. Researching every side of a story allows published stories within the media allows a person to better understand the truth of a situation. Libel laws provide an outlet for people to voice why a fact may not be the truth. Public figures play an important role in providing truthful information to those they influence. Thoughtful research that understand all sides of a story is essential in mitigating media bias.