Speaking and Listening Apply Discussion
Begin the discussion by responding to the following prompt:
If you know anything about the Titanic, you know it hit an iceberg and sank three hours later. For nearly 24 hours, the world knew only that it was a ship in distress. Most newspapers reported everyone was safe, when in fact, 1,517 passengers and crew perished. Many blamed the new wireless technology, but others thought reporters had fallen for the White Star hype about their “unsinkable” ship.
Analyze the media bias you see in the 1912 article about the Titanic. Discuss the possible reasons that led reporters to believe the White Star hype. Then consider how hype or propaganda may bias reporting today. Give examples if you can.
Post a detailed response to the Media Bias Discussion prompt. Then respond to two classmates' posts.
Click the link below to access the Speaking and Listening Apply Discussion
Begin the discussion by responding to the following prompt:
If you know anything about the Titanic, you know it hit an iceberg and sank three hours later. For nearly 24 hours, the world knew only that it was a ship in distress. Most newspapers reported everyone was safe, when in fact, 1,517 passengers and crew perished. Many blamed the new wireless technology, but others thought reporters had fallen for the White Star hype about their “unsinkable” ship.
Analyze the media bias you see in the 1912 article about the Titanic. Discuss the possible reasons that led reporters to believe the White Star hype. Then consider how hype or propaganda may bias reporting today. Give examples if you can.
Post a detailed response to the Media Bias Discussion prompt. Then respond to two classmates' posts.
In the 1912 article about the Titanic, one can see clear media bias in the way the incident was reported. The newspapers reported that everyone was safe and downplayed the severity of the situation, when in reality, over 1,500 people had lost their lives. This bias can be attributed to a few possible reasons.
Firstly, the reporters may have fallen for the White Star hype about their "unsinkable" ship. The White Star Line, the company that owned the Titanic, heavily marketed the ship as technologically advanced and safe. This hype may have influenced reporters to believe that the ship was indeed unsinkable and that any distress it faced would be quickly resolved. This bias could have stemmed from a desire to believe in the advancements of technology and the supposed invulnerability of such a prestigious ship.
Secondly, there may have been pressure from the newspaper industry to not report negative news. In those times, newspapers relied heavily on the sale of their publications, and negative news could potentially hurt their sales. By downplaying the severity of the incident and reporting that everyone was safe, the newspapers could have been trying to protect their reputation and maintain readership. This bias may have been driven by financial considerations and the need to appeal to a wide audience.
Moving on to modern times, hype and propaganda can still bias reporting today. One recent example is the coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some news outlets have downplayed the severity of the virus or propagated misinformation about its origins and spread. This bias may be driven by political agendas or a desire to maintain high ratings and viewership. By sensationalizing certain aspects of the pandemic or downplaying its impact, these news outlets may be shaping public opinion and influencing behavior in a way that serves their own interests.
Another example of bias in reporting today is the coverage of political events. News outlets often have affiliations with political parties or ideologies, and this can lead to biased reporting. For instance, one news outlet may provide favorable coverage of a particular political party or leader while being critical of others. This bias can influence public opinion and shape the way people perceive certain political events.
In conclusion, media bias was evident in the 1912 article about the Titanic, where the severity of the incident was downplayed and false information was reported. This bias can be attributed to factors such as the White Star hype about the ship's invincibility and the pressure to sell newspapers. In modern times, hype and propaganda can still bias reporting, as seen in the coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and political events. It is important for readers to be critical of the information they consume and seek multiple sources to ensure a more balanced understanding of events.