Argumentative Essay On Media Bias

1019 Words5 Pages

Bias is defined as being prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair. Americans experience some sort of bias every day, however, media bias is likely the most prevalent. Media can be biased towards liberals, conservatives, or any other political leaning. According to University of Oklahoma Professor, Keith Gaddie, the mainstream media mostly suffers from liberal bias - which is usually hostile toward conservative candidates and causes. Media bias can misinform, exaggerate truths, and cause confusion during voting season. Media bias is not a new practice. Thomas Jefferson, prior to his presidency, stated in a letter to Edward Carrington (1787): "And were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter. But I should mean that every man should receive those papers and be capable of reading them." Jefferson was for the press and believed it was a great tool to inform the general public. However, as he got close to his presidency tensions got high …show more content…

Media bias is a real problem. When people are not aware of the facts alone, rather interpretation of facts, they are being manipulated. Media should report facts concisely and promptly with as much accurate information as possible. When networks allow to dictate how they report news, there is a much greater chance to be biased. When networks accept monetary incentives to report in a specific manner, there is a much greater chance to be biased. If the media would report information as it happens with factual information, American would be left to interpret the data how they see fit. The Americans ' background and socialization will allow the information to be digested and interpreted in specific way. The media needs to be a platform to share information on a specific topic accurately, not a place to advance one 's