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 news 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 1913 article about the titanic. Discuss the possible that led reporters to believe the White Star Hype. Then consider how type or propaganda may bias reporting today. Give example if you can.
The media bias seen in the 1913 article about the Titanic can be attributed to a combination of factors. Firstly, the article reports that everyone on board the Titanic was safe, despite the fact that 1,517 people tragically lost their lives. This reflects a failure on the part of reporters to gather accurate information and properly verify the facts before publishing the news.
One possible reason for this bias is the influence of the White Star Line's promotional campaign, which touted the Titanic as an "unsinkable" ship. It is likely that reporters, either intentionally or unintentionally, fell for this hype and portrayed the ship in a more favorable light. In doing so, they may have compromised their objectivity and failed to critically analyze the veracity of the information being provided by the White Star Line.
Furthermore, the limited technological capabilities of the time might have contributed to the misinformation. Without advanced communication systems, it was challenging for reporters to promptly receive accurate information about the disaster. The reliance on wireless technology, which was still relatively new, might have also played a role in the dissemination of incomplete or incorrect information.
Examining the present-day scenario, it is evident that media bias and propaganda continue to shape reporting. In the age of the internet and social media, misinformation and fake news can spread rapidly, affecting public perception and understanding of events. One recent example of bias and its influence on reporting is the 2020 United States presidential election.
During the election campaign, various media outlets were accused of displaying bias towards certain candidates, with some favoring one candidate over the other. This can be seen in the way news stories were framed or headlines were written, emphasizing certain aspects while downplaying others. Additionally, the spread of conspiracy theories and false information through social media platforms further highlights the potential for bias and propaganda to shape public opinion.
Overall, media bias has existed for a long time, and the Titanic incident serves as an example of how it can distort reporting. The influence of outside forces, such as promotional campaigns or political agendas, can sway journalists' objectivity. In the modern era, the rapid dissemination of information and the rise of social media have only amplified the potential for bias and propaganda to distort reporting and impact public perception.