Media Bias and Accuracy

Discussion in 'Living Room' started by geoffw, 11th May, 2020.

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  1. geoffw

    geoffw Moderator Staff Member

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    Edit: created from another thread.
    As the Daily Mail has been used for at least three story sources in recent threads, I'll point out that Wikipedia doesn't like using the Daily Mail as a source due to inaccuracy
    Wikipedia:Reliable sources/Noticeboard/Archive 220 - Wikipedia

    Mediabiasfactcheck rates it as Low for factual reporting, the second lowest rating.
    Screenshot_2020-05-11-10-03-50-90.jpg

    - Daily Mail - Media Bias/Fact Check
     
    Last edited: 11th May, 2020
    geoffw, 11th May, 2020
    #1
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  2. MTR

    MTR Well-Known Member

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    OK, then to be fair in future we should do a factcheck for everyone who posts on PC with a link

    that will be fun
     
    MTR, 11th May, 2020
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  3. geoffw

    geoffw Moderator Staff Member

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    Sure.

    CNN only rates slightly better than Daily Mail. You've already pulled me up quoting a CNN article. Fair enough.
    Screenshot_2020-05-11-16-36-43-42.jpg
    NY Times rates better for accuracy and bias
    Screenshot_2020-05-11-16-37-16-60.jpg

    9 News rates well

    Screenshot_2020-05-11-16-39-31-91.jpg
    ABC News Australia does well
    Screenshot_2020-05-11-16-41-40-66.jpg

    Washington Post Screenshot_2020-05-11-16-42-49-70.jpg
    Reuters - one of the best for facts and bias
    Screenshot_2020-05-11-16-44-24-75.jpg

    Fox News
    Screenshot_2020-05-11-16-45-50-13.jpg
     
    Last edited: 11th May, 2020
    geoffw, 11th May, 2020
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  4. MTR

    MTR Well-Known Member

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    Think its also important thats its not left or right, somewhere in the middle if possible

    Most links posted on PC are left aligned, but no one seems to have an issue with this one;)

    Now all we need is someone to police this:eek:
     
    MTR, 11th May, 2020
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  5. geoffw

    geoffw Moderator Staff Member

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    Accuracy is very important.

    I don't mind links with a right viewpoint, if there is a reputation for accuracy. I don't like sources with an extreme left or right viewpoint. I'll try to avoid quoting CNN in future, and try to keep between left centre and right centre.

    The viewpoints of many posters are well known. We can make allowances for that.

    Inaccurate reporting however is potentially problematic.
     
    geoffw, 11th May, 2020
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  6. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    I'd suggest most links posted on PC align with the political leanings of the poster. It cuts both ways.

    I'd be more than happy that certain publications are not allowed (on both sides).
     
    wylie, 11th May, 2020
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  7. Lizzie

    Lizzie Well-Known Member

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    I'm a great believer that people who don't want their beliefs challenge will instinctively seek out publications that support that belief

    Personally I like to be challenged, but it must be factual. Peer reviewed scientific reports as an example. I have no time for opinion pieces as these are merely reinforcing a preconceived bias
     
    Lizzie, 11th May, 2020
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  8. George Smiley

    George Smiley Well-Known Member

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    That's the thing, these days if you report objectively on science it is now seen as 'left wing bias'.

    I'm just left of centre, pretty much a carbon copy of Bill Maher politically but I will sometimes seek out more conservative media to keep my confirmation bias in check, ie occasionally read the Australian and do enjoy listening to the more sane figures on the right, ie Republican Dan Crenshaw who gave a very good account of himself on Joe Rogan the other week.

    Hate Fox News and CNN, those two channels really are the pits.
     
    George Smiley, 11th May, 2020
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  9. Lizzie

    Lizzie Well-Known Member

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    Maybe science is seeming more left because right has moved so far right that centre is no longer true centre
     
    Lizzie, 11th May, 2020
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  10. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    I just don't like news with the wrong viewpoint. :oops:
     
    Scott No Mates, 11th May, 2020
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  11. George Smiley

    George Smiley Well-Known Member

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    True, and in the US sections of the left are further far left and it's the sensible centre that suffers.
     
    George Smiley, 11th May, 2020
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  12. geoffw

    geoffw Moderator Staff Member

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    So right is right and left is wrong?
     
    geoffw, 11th May, 2020
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  13. shorty

    shorty Well-Known Member

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    Anyone who posts an assertion should be prepared to have the reasoning and facts behind that assertion challenged in a reasonable and respectful manner. That's what a free and democratic society is all about.
     
    shorty, 11th May, 2020
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  14. MTR

    MTR Well-Known Member

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    Accuracy important and what is written should include source if quoting stats etc

    But of course it will make a massive difference to reporting if the media platform is extreme left or extreme right.
     
    MTR, 11th May, 2020
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  15. MTR

    MTR Well-Known Member

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    If its journalist opinion and no source to support his/her report then.....its an opinion, take it with a grain of salt
     
    Last edited: 11th May, 2020
    MTR, 11th May, 2020
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  16. MTR

    MTR Well-Known Member

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    I am referring to each article/link
     
    MTR, 11th May, 2020
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  17. MTR

    MTR Well-Known Member

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    you probably need to ask @kierank if he can do this in future
     
    MTR, 11th May, 2020
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  18. shorty

    shorty Well-Known Member

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    For sure, then you have to consider the journalist's track record, credibility and integrity.
     
    shorty, 11th May, 2020
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  19. MTR

    MTR Well-Known Member

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    and what the media platform alignment is? Why I say middle ground best

    it will make us all think about what we post in future
     
    MTR, 11th May, 2020
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  20. The Y-man

    The Y-man Moderator Staff Member

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    In marking university assignments, my students would fail if they were quoting commercial newspapers as info sources (unless the work was specifically about the media outlet)!

    I tell my students to follow the order of preference is:
    • peer reviewed academic journals (incidentally, these journals could be left or right aligned!)
    • government publications (BUT are ALL governments trustworthy?)
    • reports from NGOs (but then again, some NGOs and NPs are have off the planet extremist views!)
    • non commercial news outlets
    • white papers by large consulting firms
    • textbooks and other non-fiction work
    • commercial news outlets and media
    • unsubstantiated blogs, social media posts, fictional work....
    The Y-man

    p.s. not I have not put wikipedia in the list - is is a source of much debate and contention in the world of knowledge management.
     
    The Y-man, 11th May, 2020
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