Many different media outlets subtly express their opinions through specific wording configurations, and show what side of the political spectrum certain media outlets are biased towards. Bias can be defined as language that supports a specific ideological position. Theoretically, good journalism avoids bias as much as possible, however, in practice this isn’t always the case.
I have made three examples of headlines that can represent different ideological stances on Donald Trump promoting hydroxychloroquine.
- FDA warns against drugs promoted by Donald Trump.
- Donald Trump IGNORANTLY promotes LIFE-THREATENING drug that the FDA warned against!
- Trump misquoted by BIASED MEDIA for trying to save the country.
The first example is neutral. It is a statement that has no inherent bias. It is a simple fact that the FDA is warning against drugs that Donald Trump promoted.
The second example is biased towards the left. The wording attempts to shame Donald Trump for his actions, and the ordering makes it look like that Trump promoted these drugs after the FDA warned against it, even if it may not have necessarily been true.
The third example is biased towards the right. The wording attempts to save face by making Trump look like he’s being attacked without providing context on why.