Is it truly possible to have a non-biased media?

My own view is that it isn't possible to be unbiased but some sources have higher journalistic standards and integrity. All media and all language carries values and assumptions within it, often unacknowledged and sometimes at a subconscious level. However, not all media is the same. Some tell outright lies and some insinuate things which the readership are intended to take as fact. If I don't trust a source then I read through to find the quotes and the verified details.

I have confirmation bias too and everyone does, though I think it is a healthy thing if you can be critical of friends and allies from time to time.

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sunrisehawk · 61-69, M

There has never been, nor never will be a non-biased media. However, it used to be that mainstream media made the attempt to be unbiased. Also, there were competitors that encouraged the media to report the news and leave interpreting to the audience.

Today, it seems more try to put a spin on the news rather than just report it. After decades of contraction in the media, today new forms of media are creating unrest within it as they compete for the audience.

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

@sunrisehawk I do think that things have changed and for the worse but the media has always represented certain interests. A UK Newspaper once bragged about winng an election and that was 1992. My impression is that American print media is (or was) better than that.

I generally agree with you that journalistic standards have slipped. Maybe we need to differentiate between bias (which is somewhat inevitable) and lack of journalistic integrity, which is an attempt to misrepresent factual truth.

jackjjackson · 61-69, M

@sunrisehawk

When were these “good old days”? If they existed at all they ended prior to to beginning of the career of Dan Rather for example .....

sunrisehawk · 61-69, M

@jackjjackson That is the generation of news people who started the slide that led to a deficit of integrity.

jackjjackson · 61-69, M

@Burnley123

When it comes to lack of integrity, the ownership of the specific media company is directly responsible. Sometimes the ownership takes the employee to task e.g. that knucklehead Bill O’Reilly and sometimes ownership is the miscreant.