1. What types of bias does Mr. Riley illustrate in this article?

2. Mr. Riley concludes: “Some (media) outlets have refused to run ads for the film, and almost all major publications have declined to review it,” asserting, “Which also helps explain why I had so little company [in the theatre the day the movie was released].”

Gosnell producers said most critics did not review the movie. In a letter to the National Society of Film Critics they wrote, “Despite our making the film available through our publicist to any and all film critics who wished to review the film, on opening weekend only two publications, The Los Angeles Times and Forbes chose to review the film. This was in contrast to other films which came out the same weekend which were reviewed by 70-280 publications.” The producers added, “…this lack of reviews, positive or negative, only adds to the belief that the members of your profession are not serving your readers.”

Why do you think "Gosnell: The Trial of America's Biggest Serial Killer" was ignored by movie critics?

3. The Daily Wire reports: “Gosnell surpassed box office expectations upon its release last week by entering into the Top 10 grossing films with a revenue of $1,235,000 on just 668 screens. Despite the solid performance for an independent film of this sort, nearly 200 theaters have inexplicably dropped the film, including those in major cities where it was performing the strongest. Coming into its second week, ‘Gosnell’ has dropped from 668 theaters to 480 theaters — a full 188 theater drop, 15 of which were top-performing multiplexes.”

Gosnell marketing director and producer John Sullivan told the Daily Wire that “it’s hard to believe it isn’t about the content of the movie.”

Movie theaters show many R-rated films with extremely graphic violence. Gosnell is rated PG-13. Do you think producer John Sullivan’s assumption is correct? Explain your answer.