Directions

-Read the excerpt below from Phil Mushnick's NYPost columnt.
-Read "Types of Media Bias" in the right column. Then answer the questions.

From a Phil Mushnick column at NYPost.com (original post date 3/23/13):
I understand why local and national news divisions dispatch sympathetic reporters to interview America’s Islamic leaders and spokespersons every time there’s a slight – real or perceived – perpetrated against Muslims living in America. But it only works one way.

How come no one on TV asks why there are no Muslim student protests, here, against, oh, say, the murdering of medical workers trying to immunize Muslim children from polio in Arabic and African-Islamic regions? [most recent killings were in Pakistan and Nigeria]

The continuing murders of these ultimate caregivers – many enlightened Muslims – are explained by some Islamists as provoked by a [perceived] US plot to sterilize Muslims with a serum disguised as a polio vaccine.

And what do American and other Western Islamic leaders and spokespersons think of Egyptian President and Muslim Brotherhood rep Mohamed Morsi’s rant calling Jews “bloodsuckers” and “descedants of pigs and apes”? That stuff’s never asked.

Or would asking such questions seem impolite?

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.  What type of bias is illustrated by Phil Mushnick in the excerpt below?

2.  Do you think Mr. Mushnick’s request is reasonable?  Explain your answer.


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

Answers

1.   Phil Mushnick’s excerpt is an example of bias by story selection and omission.

2.  Opinion question. Answers vary.