In journalism, "bias" is a word with many meanings.

Question

In journalism, "bias" is a word with many meanings. It suggests a single explanation — a conscious, even willful preference for a selective portrayal of a situation — for a range of instances in which the message does not reflect the reality. But few objective observers of, for instance, the reporting of campaign finance would argue that conventional biases are operating there. Journalists, in general, are not singling out Democrats or Republicans, liberals or conservatives, for praise or blame. Rather one has to look to more intrinsic and ingrained factors — to the "structural biases" of American newspapers and the "political assumptions" of their reporters, editors, and headline writers — to explain bias in the news.

Structural biases are rooted in the very nature of journalism — in its professional norms, in marketplace imperatives, in the demands of communicating information to an unsophisticated audience. Stories need identifiable actors; understandable activity; and elements of conflict, threat, or menace. They cannot be long and must avoid complexity — they must focus on controversy, personalities, and negative statistics rather than on concepts. These characteristics define the "good" story. As for political assumptions, all observers bring a cognitive map to American politics — a critical posture toward politics, parties, and politicians. For some, it is as Ample as "all politicians are crooks"; for others, it involves a particular understanding of the distribution of power and influence in America.

The media's distinct understanding of the ways of influence and decision making in government colors the way journalists describe political reality. This conceptualization also defines journalists' responsibility in reporting that reality; contemporary reporters are in many ways the grandchildren of the Progressive muckrakers. Few aspects of American politics reinforce this Progressive worldview as effectively as the American way of campaign finance. Its cash is an easy measure of influence, and its PACs are perfect embodiments of vested, selfish interests. In assuming that public officials defer to contributors more easily than they do to their party, their own values, or their voting constituency, one has the perfect dramatic scenario for the triumph of wealthy special interests over the will of majorities and the public interest.

Structural bias and political assumption, finally, meet in an analytical conundrum. Structural biases dictate that newspapers print stories that will be read. But does the press publish a story because readers have been previously conditioned to accept and believe such accounts, or does it publish the story because of its conviction that it represents political truth?   1 
 1. Which of the following best states the main idea of the passage?

(A) The business decisions necessary to the successful practice of journalism lead to inherent biases.
(B) The American public demands simplistic, dramatic stories that are the result of poor journalism.
(C) The way in which journalists report on campaign finance is inherently biased by two factors.
(D) Systematic factors and political assumptions should supplant conventional political divisions in the analysis of journalistic bias.
(E) Only journalists working for nonprofit organizations can avoid bias in reporting on campaign finance and other political issues.

2 
 2. According to the passage, which of the following would demonstrate structural biases inherent in journalists' work?

I. An article that adheres loyally to Progressivist dictates
II. An article that successfully masks its biased opinions
III. An article that is entertaining and easily understood

(A) I only 
(B) II only
(C) III only
(D) I and II
(E) II and III

3 
 3. The author suggests in the passage that the American system of campaign finance:

(A) is unjust and should be reformed 
(B) has exclusively served the interests of the wealthy 
(C) is an easy target for journalists 
(D) has been unfairly singled out for criticism by politicians 
(E) can never overcome its inherent biases

4 
 4. Which of the following best describes the "analytical conundrum" referred to in the fourth paragraph?

(A) Newspapers cynically promote Progressive ideas in which they do not believe.
(B) It is difficult to distinguish the roles of structural biases and political assumptions in publishing decisions. 
(C) Structural biases and political assumptions exert confiding pressures on newspaper publishers. 
(D) Readers’ preference for dramatic news accounts reflecting Progressive ideas determine what is published
(E) Structural biases are rooted in journalism's professional norms.

5 
 5. The author suggests that structural biases in American journalism result primarily from:

(A) problems intrinsic to the publishing and marketing of newspapers.
(B) assumptions by journalists about the integrity of public officials.
(C) reporters’ cynicism about the public’s level of intelligence.
(D) growing competition among newspapers for a shrinking audience.
(E) the liberal biases generally found in publishing and broadcast media.

6 
 6. The author would most probably agree that the media’s evaluation of the effects of PACs on public officials is

(A) fair minded
(B) sophisticated
(C) uninformed
(D) simplistic
(E) mistaken

AdityaHongunti · Accepted Answer

Read actively like this (note para gist is something you do in your mind)... if by reading in this way you still cannot find the ansers please ask ..i will try to explain the question using this passage reakdown !!

PARA 1

PARA 2

PARA 3

PARA 4

main point : there actually is a bias !! if we look at the intrinsic factors we maybe able to understand it !!!

Iceman2020 · Answer

Phew this is a tough one. I took ~8 mins and still managed to get only 2 right

But irrespective here's my mind map and answers. Para1: Bias is defined and two types of biases in journalism SB & PA are introduced as factors to explain the reason for bias Para2: SB & PA are first defined and later explained Para3: Media's direct understanding of matters is what drives journalists' thought process Para4: An analytic conundrum in introduced 1. Which of the following best states the main idea of the passage? I got this wrong and would request if someone can explain this A)The business decisions necessary to the successful practice of journalism lead to inherent biases. I selected this B)The American public demands simplistic, dramatic stories that are the result of poor journalism. This is not supported in the passage C) The way in which journalists report on campaign finance is inherently biased by two factors. Campaign financing is not the main purpose D) Systematic factors and political assumptions should supplant conventional political divisions in the analysis of journalistic bias. The language of "should" and usage of "systemic factors" not "SB" made me eliminate this, but this is the correct answer. E)Only journalists working for nonprofit organizations can avoid bias in reporting on campaign finance and other political issues. Non profit is OOS 2. According to the passage, which of the following would demonstrate structural biases inherent in journalists work? You'll get all your answers in line 4 to 7 of the second para I. An article that adheres loyally to Progressivist dictates No need to show any loyalty II. An article that successfully masks its biased opinions No need for this as the passage allows the article to be "controversial" III. An article that is entertaining and easily understood The passage says the article should not be complex A) I only B) II only C) III only D) I and II E) II and III 3. The author suggests in the passage that the American system of campaign finance: I got this wrong and would request if someone can explain this A)is unjust and should be reformed No evidence for this B)has exclusively served the interests of the wealthy No evidence for this C)is an easy target for journalists Did not find any direct evidence for this, but this is the correct option D)has been unfairly singled out for criticism by politicians Thought that line of 1st para is referring to this E)can never overcome its inherent biases can never overcome is a very strong suggestion and no such suggestion has been made by the author 4. Which of the following best describes the "analytical conundrum" referred to in the fourth paragraph? A) Newspapers cynically promote Progressive ideas in which they do not believe. The passage does not say that the newspapers have to publish something that is ideologically different B)It is difficult to distinguish the roles of structural biases and political assumptions in publishing decisions. Seems right as the author end the passage by asking this question which is left unanswered C)Structural biases and political assumptions exert confiding pressures on newspaper publishers. no "confiding pressure" is exerted by these two D)Readers’ preference for dramatic news accounts reflecting Progressive ideas determine what is published We cannot generalize what prevails E) Structural biases are rooted in journalism's professional norms. True, but this is not discussed in the last para

Krishchamp · Answer

Can someone please explain how the American system of campaign finance is an easy target for journalists. I also wanted to understand the approach to question 4 of this passage.
Thanks in advance.

MBAB123 · Answer

Hey buddy, I hope this helps!

Q3 - It talks about american system of campaign finance and the answers lies in the 3rd paragraph - "Few aspects of American politics reinforce this Progressive worldview as effectively as the American way of campaign finance" and "one has the perfect dramatic scenario". These 2 statements helped me in deciding that campaign finance is an easy target for journalists. The first statement says that the campaign is best example of the a progressive worldview (the view has been mentioned above this statement) and goes onto explain why. 2nd statement states that it is the perfect dramatic scenario which is what the journalists are looking for per the 2nd paragraph. Q4 - I used elimination for this question - A - Not mentioned anywhere in the passage - Incorrect B - The last paragraph give an overall sense that it is difficult to distinguish between the 2 (Structural bias and political assumption"). Ending the paragraph with a question asking to distinguish between the 2 does the job for me. - Correct C - Again, no mentioned in the passage that these 2 are exert pressure on the publishers. Publications are driven but them but pressure has not been mentioned. - Incorrect D - Only talks about structural bias in a why (mentioning dramatic preference of of readers). - Incorrect E - Only talks about structural bias. - Incorrect

BenjaminS · Answer

I cannot find any detail in the paragraph on this question. I just go to paragraph 3 to find the relevant hint, but I cannot.

Please someone help me with this question3.

Thanks beforehand.

bM22 · Answer

Hi  BenjaminWS ,

Lines to consider for Question 3 are: 
" This conceptualization also defines journalists' responsibility in reporting that reality;  contemporary reporters are in many ways the grandchildren of the Progressive muckrakers. Few aspects of American politics reinforce this Progressive worldview as effectively as the American way of campaign finance.  Its cash is an easy measure of influence, and its PACs are perfect embodiments of vested, selfish interests. In assuming that public officials defer to contributors more easily than they do to their party, their own values, or their voting constituency,  one has the perfect dramatic scenario for the triumph of wealthy special interests over the will of majorities and the public interest."

The above lines imply that American system of campaign finance was an easy target for the journalists as they could easily portray the selfish interests of the parties over the public interest.

Thus C is a better answer.

Hope This Helps.
Thanks.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

6. The author would most probably agree that the media’s evaluation of the effects of PACs on public officials is

Difficulty Level:   Hard

Explanation

The author's perspective in the passage suggests that the media's evaluation of the effects of Political Action Committees (PACs) on public officials is not favorable. The author discusses the media's understanding of campaign finance and the influence of PACs, portraying it in a somewhat negative light. The media is portrayed as having a particular viewpoint that leans toward portraying PACs as powerful and influential.

Given this perspective, the author would most likely agree that the media's evaluation of the effects of PACs on public officials is: D) simplistic

The passage implies that the media's portrayal of the influence of PACs may be overly simplistic and not taking into account the nuances and complexities of the political system and the influence of various factors on public officials.

Answer: D

VerbalBot · Answer

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In journalism, "bias" is a word with many meanings.

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In journalism, "bias" is a word with many meanings.

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