Prejudice in the Press?: Investigating Bias in Coverage of Race, Gender, Sexuality and Religion - Softcover

Yancey, George; Brunson, Alicia L.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1476671486 ISBN 13: 9781476671482

Publisher: McFarland & Company, 2018

Synopsis

Charges of ""fake news" tend to be politically motivated whether made by Republicans or Democrats. Yet the potential for media bias is real and deserves an honest assessment.

Using an audit technique--providing journalists with similar scenarios but altering key details--the authors evaluate whether reporters and editors write different narratives depending on the characteristics of the principle issues in the story. The results indicate that race, gender, sexuality and religion have little effect on whether a story will be covered, but do color the story that is written.

Data suggest that news personnel may be operating in ways that promote progressive political leanings. The results of this study are important for journalists seeking to move closer to objective standards of reporting.

About this title

About the Author:

George Yancey is a professor of sociology at the University of North Texas. He is the author of 15 books focusing on racism and antireligious hostility.

Alicia Brunson is an assistant professor of sociology at Georgia Southern University-Armstrong Campus. Her primary research interests are race relations, racial identity information, and media literacy.

About this edition

• Publisher: McFarland & Company
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 1476671486
• ISBN 13: 9781476671482
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 186