When investigating current events, we must be aware of media bias, and work hard to separate fact from opinion. When reading, be critical, and ask yourself the following questions:
- What is the nature of the publication where you found your article (blog, magazine, newspaper, TV, etc.)? Is it reputable? How long has it existed?
- Does the publication in question demonstrate a particular bias, or appeal to a relatively singular audience?
- Is the owner of the publication where you found your article known, or easily found on their website or elsewhere? (Click here, here, or here for information on media conglomerates and interlocking directorates.)
- Who is/are the author(s) of the piece? Are their personal biases obvious through their use of language, and/or previous articles?
- What does the byline say about the authors’ proximity to where the story is actually taking place?
- How many people are quoted in the piece, and is their area of expertise pertinent to the subject of the article?
