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.
The media bias in the 1912 article about the Titanic is evident in the fact that most newspapers reported everyone was safe, while in reality, a significant number of passengers and crew perished. This bias can be attributed to various factors.
Firstly, the notion of the "unsinkable" ship created by the White Star Line likely influenced reporters' beliefs and subsequently their reporting. The idea that a ship as grand and innovative as the Titanic could succumb to such a catastrophic event may have been unthinkable for many journalists. They might have been swayed by the confidence and propaganda propagated by the White Star Line, causing them to downplay the severity of the situation.
Secondly, the limited information available during the initial 24 hours could have contributed to the biased reporting. With communication technologies of the time far less advanced than today, the flow of accurate and real-time information was hindered. Reporters may have relied on incomplete or misleading sources, leading to the dissemination of incorrect information.
In the present day, hype or propaganda can still significantly bias reporting. One recent example is the coverage of the Iraq War in 2003. The US government, under the administration of President George W. Bush, made strong claims about the presence of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) in Iraq. This rhetoric created a sense of urgency and fear, leading to biased reporting by some media outlets that amplified these claims without thoroughly questioning their validity.
Another example of modern-day bias is the coverage of political campaigns. Media outlets often have their own inherent biases, leading them to either excessively praise or criticize a particular candidate or party. This biased reporting can sway public opinion, shaping the narrative around a political figure or party and potentially distorting the truth.
Furthermore, the rise of social media has exacerbated the issue of biased reporting. With the abundance of information available at our fingertips, people tend to seek out sources that align with their existing beliefs and opinions, creating echo chambers. This has allowed the spread of unverified or false information, leading to further bias and polarization in news reporting.
In conclusion, the media bias evident in the 1912 article about the Titanic can be attributed to the influence of the White Star Line's hype and limited information available at the time. Similarly, hype and propaganda continue to bias reporting today, as seen in instances such as the coverage of the Iraq War and political campaigns. The advent of social media has further fueled biased reporting, amplifying echo chambers and the spread of misinformation. It is crucial for both journalists and consumers of news to be critically aware of these biases and seek out diverse and reliable sources of information.