Media Bias Thesis

MEDIA BIAS THESIS

The media and its alleged bias has become a hotly debated and controversial issue in American politics. Conservatives argue that the media displays a verifiably strong liberal bias. Others argue that the media is conservative or that it does not display any real pattern of bias. The factual reality includes a number of thruths. The media is owned by conservative corporations. Most journalists vote democratic most of the time. Most newspapers endorse republican presidential candidates, but most influential newspapers endorse democrats.

Marshall McLuhan, famed media analyst, once said, “All media exist to invest our lives with artificial perceptions and arbitrary values.” So, what is the truth? Is there a liberal bias in the media in America today (CNN, the New York Times), or is that idea just a ploy perpetrated by a conservative media (Rush Limbaugh, Fox News)?

Your task is to research this question and produce a typed thesis and a minimum of 5 bullets, properly noted, to support the thesis, using the sources provided and any other source that might help develop your argument. Better use of sources earns more points. You must also have a bibliography.

The thesis and support for it are worth 50 points. We will also discuss the topic in class. All are expected to participate. The discussion is worth 20 points

You can use the material provided but must also use at least one of the web sites or one of the books or any other legitimate outside source. Be sure to use sources from both sides of the debate. You can not properly argue a point without an acknowledgement of the argument for the other side.

Web sites

Required:

http://rhetorica.net/bias.htm

http://www.mediaresearch.org/flash/2008/Oct2008.pdf

http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=3612

http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/PRN-Media-Bias-Is-Real-Finds-UCLA-6664.aspx

http://mediamatters.org/print/research/200512220003

Optional ( choose at least one):

www.mediaresearch.org ( a general site with links to the topic)

www.fair.org (a general site with links to the topic)

www.Cato.org (a general site)

On the above sites, type in “media bias” and examine the available links and information