Reporters gather facts and write about them—so why do some people say the news is unreliable? They are worried that news stories might be biased.

Bias is an unfair representation of something or someone. It can happen when only one side of a story is presented, when only certain facts are shared, or when news organizations choose which stories they want to publish. Readers sometimes worry that news organizations, intentionally or accidentally, publish biased stories.

News organizations try to avoid bias as much as they can. They hire trained reporters who know how to ask good questions about all sides of a story. They also employ many different editors to double-check all of the facts cited in the articles.

Readers of the news can take their own steps to avoid possible bias in the news they read. They can read news from multiple sources, or they can look up facts on their own to make sure the news matches other websites and records. It is impossible to avoid bias completely, but news writers and news readers can still do a lot to make sure the information they share and read is accurate.

In 3–5 sentences, identify and explain an inference you made about news media based on the passage. Support your answer with text evidence from the passage.

(4 points)

Based on the passage, it can be inferred that news organizations make an effort to minimize bias in their reporting. The passage states, "News organizations try to avoid bias as much as they can. They hire trained reporters who know how to ask good questions about all sides of a story." This suggests that news organizations recognize the importance of presenting a balanced view and employ trained professionals to ensure that all perspectives are considered. Additionally, the passage mentions that news organizations employ editors to double-check the facts cited in articles, further demonstrating their commitment to accuracy and fairness.

Based on the passage, an inference that can be made about news media is that they make efforts to minimize bias and maintain accuracy in their reporting. The passage mentions that news organizations hire trained reporters who are skilled at asking unbiased questions and employ multiple editors to fact-check the articles. This suggests that news media is aware of the potential for bias and takes steps to prevent it. The passage also highlights the importance of readers taking their own steps to ensure accuracy by reading from multiple sources and verifying facts.

Based on the passage, an inference that can be made about news media is that while bias is a concern, news organizations make efforts to avoid it. The passage mentions that news organizations hire trained reporters who know how to ask good questions and employ multiple editors to ensure accuracy. This suggests that news organizations strive to present balanced and accurate information to their readers. However, it also acknowledges that bias can still exist, but both news organizations and readers can take steps to minimize it.