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.
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Mouse icon Speaking and Listening Discussion
In the 1912 article about the Titanic, we can see media bias in the way the newspapers reported that everyone was safe, despite the fact that the ship had actually sunk and a large number of people had died. 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, had heavily promoted the idea that their ship was technologically advanced and invincible. This could have led reporters to believe that even if there was an accident, the ship would still be able to save everyone on board. So when the ship hit an iceberg and started sinking, the reporters may have initially dismissed it as a minor incident that could easily be resolved.
Another reason for the bias could be the lack of reliable information and communication at that time. The wireless technology, which was still relatively new, played a role in the delayed and inaccurate reporting. The Titanic's distress signals were initially seen as a routine call for assistance, rather than an indication of a major disaster. The reporters may have relied on these early reports and failed to dig deeper or verify the information properly.
Hype or propaganda can still bias reporting today. One example is the way news outlets often sensationalize stories to attract more viewers or readers. They may present stories in a way that grabs attention and elicits strong emotions, even if it means exaggerating or distorting the facts. This can lead to biased reporting, as the focus shifts from providing accurate information to generating higher ratings or more clicks.
Another example is the influence of political ideologies on news reporting. Some media outlets can have a clear bias towards a particular political party or ideology, and this can color their reporting. They may selectively choose stories or frame them in a way that aligns with their bias, while ignoring or downplaying information that goes against their narrative.
In conclusion, media bias was evident in the 1912 article about the Titanic, with newspapers reporting that everyone was safe despite the tragic reality. The reasons for this bias may include falling for the White Star hype and the limitations of communication technology at that time. Similar biases can be seen in reporting today, such as the sensationalization of stories or the influence of political ideologies on news outlets. Awareness of these biases is important to ensure that we seek out diverse sources of information and critically analyze the news we consume.
Responses to classmates' posts:
1. I agree with your analysis of how the White Star hype played a role in the media bias surrounding the Titanic. The promotion of the ship as "unsinkable" likely led reporters to dismiss the severity of the incident and report that everyone was safe, even when that wasn't the case. I also think you make a great point about the limitations of communication technology at the time contributing to the bias. Without proper verification and information, reporters had to rely on early reports that may have been inaccurate. Overall, great points!
2. I found your examples of media bias in reporting today to be spot on. Sensationalization is definitely a common tactic used by news outlets to attract attention and generate higher ratings. This can lead to a distortion of facts and biased reporting. Additionally, the influence of political ideologies on news outlets is a significant factor that shapes the bias in reporting. It's important for readers and viewers to be aware of these biases and seek out diverse sources of information to get a more balanced perspective. Great insights!