The Problem of Media Bias essays

The Problem of Media Bias essays Media plays an important and powerful part in America. Millions of American citizens consult their television sets for the news. They form opinions on certain issues based on what they've seen, heard, and read in the media. The medias role in political affairs is especially important: They have the power to make or break a candidate. They can vilify a candidate or make him/her likeable. News media networks affect the publics interest in politics by showing the people what they want them to see. Even if there are many issues in a campaign, the media will focus on the one they consider to be the most important, and other issues can be completely ignored. Given that general public cannot make clued-up decisions on public policy issues if the news on which they rely is deformed, it is obviously essential that TV news broadcasts and other media be just and impartial. However, there has always been much discussion about the so-called media bias. Is the media biased? Of course, but towards whom? The media can be biased towards both liberals and conservatives. Some conservatives argue that liberal journalists tend to attach their own liberal beliefs in the news they report, while liberal journalists insist that they stay neutral and report news without any bias. Others will argue that conservative reporters take minor things, embellish it, or blow it to mythical proportions. According to Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them by Al Franken, right-wing journalists used this tactic to cripple Clintons presidency, discredit Gore, and put Bush into office. The media should present their news in an unbiased way to allow viewers to form their own views. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The media often shows its bias. Their widespread exposure enables them to communicate their ideas to the public, regardless of the publics responsiveness. The media affects American interest towards politics by only s...