Confirmation Bias in Media

Though one of the main (albeit idealistic) purposes of journalism it to spread the truth, in matters as partisan and personal as politics bias can often display itself in the choice wording of an article.

“Trump Is Complaining about a ‘Rigged’ System That Is Favoring Him” is an article published on the National Review in the wake of Trump’s claim that the GOP and RNC have been rigged against him, causing his loss in the Colorado primary to Ted Cruz. While articles like this may seem in the forefront to be simply stating facts, key phrases intended to discredit the candidate and illicit an emotional response from readers show bias on the part of the writer.

For example, after providing the necessary background details, the article states “But as with most things Trump, a closer look at the primary numbers show that his blustery doesn’t hold up” and again later in the article “Trump lost in Colorado because he didn’t do the work; Ted Cruz won because he did.”

Another article on the site, “Trump’s Virtual Lynch Mob ,” details the aggressive acts of Trump’s twitter supporters following the same Colorado caucus (releasing personal information of committee members, sending death threats, etc.). The name of the article itself displays bias, as well as the first sentence “Call it a high-tech lynching” as well as the closing “…make no mistake: This effort started at the top.”

In an article, statements like these are intended to give the reader a stance, as opposed to the giving facts to allow readers to make their own deductions. In in this case, the stance of the National Review is a resounding “no” to Donald Trump.