The document discusses various types of biases that can occur in news media representations, including selection bias in the stories that are covered, concision bias in simplifying complex issues, and presentation bias in favoring one interpretation. It notes that biases are shown through the angle and framing of stories and that repeated representations of certain groups can lead to stereotypes. While news media are meant to be impartial, biases can be challenged by user-generated content and citizen journalism, though these may also have their own biases.

1. Representation and Bias

2. • Remember – the news is mediated and selective – it is
not reality
• How is the world/groups of people/issues represented?
• Selection bias – what stories make/don’t make the news?
• Concision bias – preference for reporting stories that can
be condensed and made simple
• Mainstream bias – preference for stories everyone else is
reporting
• Sensationalism bias – preference for stories that are
dramatic or unusual
• Presentation bias – presenting stories while favouring
one version or interpretation
• Location bias – stories about ‘us’ – the white middle
classes – and not about ‘them’

3. • Biases are often shown in the angle the reporter or
programme takes
• The biases can make the world seem a dangerous
place with the emphasis on crime, terrorism or
conflict
• Repeated representations of groups/types of
people can lead to stereotypes or one-sided views
of issues or event
• Representations can also be constructed by the
way the presenter introduces the story, the way the
voice-over describes the images; the way visuals or
graphics are used; the way studio experts are
selected and are brought in to give their opinion

4. • Bias is NOT supposed to happen – news bulletins and
reporters, especially public service broadcasters (PSBs are
supposed to present balanced views
• Ofcom has regulations about impartial and balanced
reporting – especially important in an election year.
• In the age of Web 2.0 where people have gone from
being consumers to prosumers (producers of material for
an audience as well as consumers), biases and
gatekeeping can be challenged by User generated
Content, audience gatekeeping and citizen journalism –
where the audience members become producers and
challenge mainstream views and values – but who’s to
say they won’t be biased too?
• Sometimes, the issue appears to be subjective. For
instance, the BBC has been criticised for being left wing
by those on the political right and right wing by those on
the left

5. • The cultivation theory suggest that the more
time someone spends watching TV, the more
they believe the version of the world it
promotes
• The desensitisation theory implies that the
audience gets used to seeing extreme images
of violence and suffering and they can only
be shocked by stories that are more extreme
• Moral panic – widespread anxiety or concern
can be caused by over-reporting of a social
issues, like immigration and benefit fraud, or
stories about crime and terrorism – can be
caused by repeated negative stories