Directions

-Read the excerpt below from Dan Gainor's post at BusinessAndMedia.org on April 10th.
-Read "Types of Media Bias" in the right column. Then answer the questions.

…M.I.T. Prof. Richard Lindzen’s [April 16 Newsweek] column poking holes in global warming dogma never appeared in the 3-million-plus-circulation American edition.

The Lindzen column [in Newsweek’s international version] actually contradicted much of what was in the American edition.  He said: “Recently many people have said that the earth is facing a crisis requiring urgent action. This statement has nothing to do with science. There is no compelling evidence that the warming trend we’ve seen will amount to anything close to catastrophe. … What most commentators – and many scientists – seem to miss is that the only thing we can say with certainty about climate is that it changes.”

Instead, the U.S. edition led with a cover headline saying “Save the Planet – Or Else.”  The front page photo showed California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger balancing a small globe on one finger. The issue highlighted “Arnold’s crusade” and featured more than 33 pages of global warming apocalypse – along with several pages of related ads.

Newsweek International was a bit different. That issue led with a story called “The Way Forward” that emphasized learning to adapt to climate change. The international edition still hyped the dangers of rising global temperatures, but pointed out that, “in the short term,” there will be “winners and losers from climate change.”

Go to NewsBusters.org for the original posting.

Identifying Media Bias

To accurately identify different types of bias, you should be aware of the issues of the day, and the liberal and conservative perspectives on each issue.

Types of Media Bias:

Questions

1.  Why do you think the editors of Newsweek magazine chose not to print an article by a reputable critical of global warming in their issue on global warming?

2.  Do you think this is an example of bias by STORY SELECTION and/or OMISSION?  Explain your answer.


Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the answers.

Answers

1.  and 2.  Opinion questions. Answers vary.