Fairness and Bias Through Reporting of the Government Shutdown

October 10, 2013

Who's to blame for the recent government shutdown? The media, of course... a common whipping boy (often deservedly so) for many societal ills. But are the 'biased left-wing' media unfairly blaming Republicans?

Republicans Lash Out At Media Coverage Of Shutdown

Or are the "biased right wing media' unfairly blaming Democrats?

Blame game: The right-wing media on the government shutdown

Perhaps the real problem is that the 'biased corporate, mainstream media' is unfairly blaming both sides?

No, MSM, 'Both Sides' Are Not to Blame for the Republican Shutdown of the U.S. Government

Balance, fairness and bias are important pieces of the News Literacy puzzle, and it is crucial that VIA—verification, indenpendence and accountability --- be employed in discriminating between a fair and balanced news report from one which is biased.

All of the above reports assign blame and bias on the part of different segments of the media. But which if any are themselves biased, unbalanced and unfair?

Questions:

• After reading the three pieces above, do you think the media coverage of the government shutdown has been unfair and biased?

• Do you perceive a continuing pattern of bias on the part of any of the news organizations named in these articles? If so, what is your evidence?

• Do you think the bias is 'liberal,' 'conservative,' or 'corporate'? If so, what is your evidence?

• Are these examples of journalism, opinion journalism, or just opinion?

• How would you report fairly and in an unbiased way on the issue of who is to blame for the government shutdown? How could these articles be improved so as to be more fair and balanced?

Additional resources:

For a humorous look at who's to blame for the shutdown, check out this clip from Jon Stewart (strong language is used in this clip):

The Daily Show - Shutstorm 2013