Recognising Bias in the Media

In light of the recent Prince Harry and Meghan Markle interview with Oprah Winfrey, media bias is something we’ve been discussing more and more. Below, we explore the role that bias plays in the media.

Understanding Media Bias

“Media bias” is the bias of news producers and journalists within the mass media; not only in the way in which stories are covered, but the selection of stories and events they choose to cover.

There is no better example right now than Piers Morgan. A lot of people believe Piers Morgan to be biased in his reporting of Harry and Meghan because he was hurt that Meghan stopped speaking to him after they had sparked up some form of friendship prior to her getting in a relationship with Prince Harry. Whether or not this is true, only Piers himself knows.

We can also see bias in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thoughts and feelings toward the pandemic and the current lockdown restrictions can influence news media in terms of the stories they choose to report and the tone/angle they take when reporting.