Waubonsee Community College

Skewed, a critical thinker's guide to media bias, Larry Atkins

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

index present

non fiction

Skewed

bibliography

950723454

Larry Atkins

a critical thinker's guide to media bias

"A probing critique of advocacy journalism, particularly its polarizing effect on society and politics, with reader guidelines for objectively evaluating news sources"--, Provided by publisher"In a media landscape dominated by advocacy news networks pushing competing points of view, how can the average person uncover the truth about any particular issue? This book will show you how to separate the facts from the agenda-driven spin and selective presentation often used by such news sources as Fox and MSNBC. The author describes the goals of advocacy journalism--i.e., journalism that transparently advocates a biased worldview--and shows that it has been a part of our history since the 1700s. He assesses the role of talk radio, cable news networks, and the more recent phenomena of special-interest blogs, websites, and citizen journalists in creating the current media climate. While conceding that advocacy journalism is undoubtedly popular and has some positive aspects, the author also points out its many negative features. Perhaps the most important of these is its polarizing effect on society. Skewed will give readers the tools to critique the media, to see both sides of any issue, and to become better informed citizens and voters."--Publisher's description

Going inside the echo chamber -- What's the goal and purpose of advocacy journalism? -- The early history of advocacy journalism : the late 1700s and the 1800s -- The rise of corporate, objective journalism, and the inverted pyramid -- The op-ed page, editorial page, columnists, editorial cartoons, yellow journalism, muckraking journalism, and investigative reporting -- The start of the big change : the rise of talk radio in the late 1980s -- The rise of fake entertainment news and celebrity journalism -- The rise of sponsored content -- The rise of Fox News -- The response of MSNBC -- The rise of blogging, biased websites, YouTube, social media, and citizen journalism and their relevance today -- Is the mainstream media liberally biased? Does the media try to be objective and balanced? -- What's news? What are the factors used by the media in deciding what to report? How is bias displayed in the selection process? -- The process of reporting and how it can affect bias -- The polarizing effect of advocacy journalism on politics and society -- The popularity of advocacy journalism and its influence -- What's good about advocacy journalism? -- What's bad about advocacy journalism? -- The future of advocacy journalism and balanced journalism -- The importance of being a savvy media consumer