The document discusses how news media reflect the worldviews of their cultures and how understanding different perspectives is important for critically analyzing news. It provides examples of common maxims used in mainstream news coverage and encourages readers to consider what facts or viewpoints may have been omitted. The document also provides tips for identifying biases, such as examining word choices, sources cited, and competing information. It includes an example analysis comparing news coverage of Oscar Pistorius' imprisonment from the perspectives of the United States, Australia, and South Africa.

1. Analyzing Worldview using the
news articles you found
Darnell Kemp
Reading 142

2. Introduction
Each society and culture has a unique world
view
News media reflect the world view of the
culture for which they write
To be a critical consumer of the news, one
must understand that the truth is much more
complicated than what appears from just one
perspective
From How to Detect Media Bias & Propaganda
in National and World News by Dr. Richard
Paul and Dr. Linda Elder

3. Mainstream news coverage operates with
the following maxims:
 “This is how it appears to us from our point of
view; therefore, this is the way it is.”
 “These are the facts that support our way of
looking at this; therefore, these are the most
important facts.”
 “These countries are friendly to us; therefore,
these countries deserve praise.”
 “These countries are unfriendly to us; therefore,
these countries deserve criticism.”
 “These are the stories most interesting or
sensational to our readers; therefore, these are the
most important stories in the news” (Elder and Paul)

4. Bias and Objectivity in the
News What has been left out of this news story?
What would I think if different facts had been
highlighted here?
What if this article had been written by those who
hold a point of view opposite to the one
embedded in the story?
Consider competing sources of information and
opinion.
Review multiple points of view.
Correct exaggerations and distortions and add
facts to subjective opinions. (Elder and Paul)

5. Objectivity Requires
Identifying the point of view from which a given news story is
constructed.
Identifying the audience for which the news story is written.
Recognizing what points of view are negated or ignored.
Distinguishing facts behind the interpretation and spin.
Seek out multiple sources of credible information.

6. How do the words reflect
worldview
Look carefully at the words the author uses
 Are there words with strong connotations?
 Are they positive?
 Are the negative?
 Are they positive when discussing one side
and negative when discussing the other side?

7. How Does this Apply to
Worldview
So in the news stories,
do you see a reflection
of these worldviews by
what is included, by
what is left out, by who
is quoted or cited, or
who is not?

8. My Example
Topic: Oscar Pistorius going to prison
Countries: United States, Australia, South Africa
U.S. Australia South
Africa
Main idea The once star is
now going to jail.
He is going to
jail but really
there is no
justice for family.
He is going
where he
deserves and
will be “catered”
to in jail.
Words Suit
Inspirational
Blade
Runner
Retribution
Deterrence
rehabilitation
Prison
overalls
Dramatics
catered
Sources Convict
Person in the
Street
Judge
His family
Judge
Reeva’s
family
Judge
Prosecutor
Head of
prison

9. Worldview
US Human nature –
emphasizing what
a star he was, so
good, triumphed,
but now has done
something wrong
View of the good
life – he had so
much and lost all
that is good
because of this
mistake
Equality with
others – he is
celebrated as
being famous and
therefore better!
Australia Equality – uses
judges quote that
he is not being
treated as special
because white.
Emphasizes
equality. Also only
one that mentions
judge is only
second female
African American
judge in SA
Responsibility of
state – the
government is
responsible for a
“fair and just”
sentence. This is
emphasized
through the quote of
the judge that is
used.
Responsibility to
others – emphasis
on how he must
continue to repay
society
South Africa Human nature –
people are evil. He
is an evil murdered
and the prisons are
corrupt.
Equality – by
emphasizing he will
be catered to, the
inequality of how
someone famous
and white in South
Responsibility of
State – the judge
quote about how
the government
must punish and try
to rectify the

10. Conclusion
The three articles are actually very different. In the Australian article,
the sadness of the entire situation is the focus. Pistorius’ challenges are
mentioned but not in the detail that is in the U.S. article. The tragedy
that Steenkamp’s family and the finality of her death is a major part of
this. Also, it is shown as just an all around no win situation.
In the South African article, he is shown as a criminal in a jumpsuit
from the beginning. This is very different from the suit he is wearing
in the other two articles. The unfairness of the trial, the corruption of
the prison system, and the fact that he will be “catered” to is
mentioned numerous times. It is a bitter article that does not show him
in a good light.
The U.S. article is the sob story of a poor famous man now going to
prison. His hard life and “inspirational” story is a focus. The sources
sound like someone is filming a reality television show. It is
sensationalized and portrays Pistorius as a tragic figure who is now
suffering.
Hmmm, sound like the US?