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Media is “anything” by which a communication or message is transited.

All media is constructed by a people usually for economic purposes and/or special interests. Since media is only a construct of the real world, it should “not” be considered reality. Important context can often be missed or omitted from historical record.

Biases are inherent in human perception and decision making. But may be reduced through public awareness and the practice of better methods in media creation. In news and media, biases exist with the publisher when created, with the viewer when interpreting that information and within the framing of subject matter itself.

Biases are inherent in human perception and decision making.
But may be reduced through public awareness and the practice of better methods in media creation.

In news and media, biases exist with the publisher when created, with the viewer when interpreting that information and within the framing of subject matter itself.

Since media is constructed, it is made to get some type of action or reaction from the viewer. Ads are made to sell a product directly, where news outlets should promote an ideology of ethical and transparent methods in news creation and retain trust from their audience by sourcing valuable, actionable and newsworthy information.

You have completed an intro to Media Literacy! We hope you have learned something new and will put these skill to good use.

Here is an Overview:

• Who creates news or media content and for what purpose?
• What economic, political and conflicts of interest are involved in its production?
• What biases and fallacies are inherent in the news or media content?
• What information has been omitted and what are the competing biases and viewpoints?
• What action is news or media content trying to get me to take?

Join the discussion and continue learning more in the Media Literacy group.

Or continue to the next lesson.
News & Journalism - Lesson 2

Continue exploring more about the confirmation bias in the Confirmation Bias group, or continue to the next lesson.
Cognitive Dissonance (Bias)

Continue exploring more about the anchoring bias in the Anchoring Bias group, or continue to the next lesson.
Confirmation Bias (Bias)

Continue exploring more about biases in media in the Media Bias group, or continue to the next lesson.
Anchoring Bias

Continue exploring more about this fallacy in the Red Herring fallacy group, or continue to the next lesson.
Media Bias (Bias)

Continue exploring more about this fallacy in the Strawman fallacy group, or continue to the next lesson.
Red Herring (Fallacy)

Continue exploring more about this fallacy in the Ad Hominem fallacy group, or continue to the next lesson.
Strawman Fallacy

Bias is a disproportionate weight in favor of or against an idea or thing, usually in a way that is closed-minded, prejudicial, or unfair. Biases can be innate or learned. People may develop biases for or against an individual, a group, or a belief. 

Biases exists in many forms and can exist in any field of practice such as science, law and in news and media as well. It is important to be aware of them in order for citizens, educators and professionals to make sound decisions.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bias

A fallacy is the use of invalid or otherwise faulty reasoning, or "wrong moves," in the construction of an argument which may appear stronger than it really is if the fallacy is not spotted.

Some fallacies may be committed intentionally to manipulate or persuade by deception.

Others may be committed unintentionally because of human limitations such as carelessness, cognitive or social biases and ignorance, or, potentially, as the inevitable consequence of the limitations of language and understanding of language.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallacy

As you complete each lesson learning about types of bias and fallacy, the practice of identifying and avoiding their use can help discussion stay more productive, civil and focused on the topic.

Ad Hominem (Fallacy)

1st Amendment “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Freedom of speech and Freedom of the Press are fundamental human rights because citizens in free societies have the right to keep one another informed about what’s going on in their lives and communities.

Democracy being based on localization and self-governance, requires an informed citizenry to practice journalism and participate in the news making process themselves.

Free thought, speech and press allow for the first peaceful means of resolution in any conflict and a primary means for protection of all other human rights.

For U.S. citizens, the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects the rights of a civilian based press.

“The Elements of Journalism“

Though methods of communication have advanced over time, the principles of journalism remain the same.

1. Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth.
2. Its first loyalty is to citizens.
3. Its essence is the discipline of verification.
4. Its practitioners must maintain an independence from those they cover.
5. It must serve as a monitor of power.
6. It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise.
7. It must strive to make the significant interesting and relevant.
8. It must present the news in a way that is comprehensive and proportional.
9. Its practitioners have an obligation to exercise their personal conscious.
10. Citizens have rights and responsibilities when it comes to the news as well — even more so as they become producers and editors themselves.

Bill Kovach, Tom Rosenstiel, (2014). The Elements of Journalism (3rd Edition) Three Rivers Press

The 5 W's (also known as the 5 W's and H) are a set of questions that journalists use to gather information about a news story.

The 5 W's are:

Who: Who is involved in the story? This could be individuals, groups, or organizations.
What: What happened? What are the key facts or details that happened during the event?
When: When did the event or course of events take place?
Where: Where did the event or course of events take place?
Why: Why did the event happen?
What was the cause or motivation behind it?
The H is: How: How did the event happen? What were the circumstances or details surrounding it?

The 5 W's and H are used to ensure that a news story is complete and provides all the necessary information to the reader or viewer. They help journalists to organize their information and present it in a clear and concise manner.

Inverse Pyramid - Is a method used by news outlets and journalists to organize information in a way that makes it easier for readers to understand and follow.

The inverse pyramid begins by delivering the most important or “Need to Know“ information first.

This is followed by the middle details such as evidence to support the claim as well as interesting or related details which might lead to further knowledge or follow up on the story.

Here is a simple outline of the inverted pyramid style:

Headline: A strong and informative headline that summarizes the main points of the story.

Lead paragraph: A summary of the main points of the story that provides the most important information. This should include the who, what, when, where, and why of the story.

Supporting paragraphs: Additional information and details about the story, including quotes from sources, background information, and context.

Less important information: Any additional information that is not crucial to the story, such as tangential details or minor developments.

Conclusion: A summary of the main points of the story and any remaining important information. This outline can be followed when writing any type of news article or report, whether it is for a newspaper, website, or television news program. It helps to organize the information in a clear and concise manner that presents the most important information first.

You have completed an introduction to some of the basic concepts and methods in the production of News and Journalism. Practice these tips and explore more in the News and Journalism Literacy section or continue to the next lesson.

Bias & Fallacy

Continue exploring more about the cognitive dissonance in the Cognitive Dissonance discussion group, or continue to the next lesson.
Thank you!