I can truly say that I have consumed media—whether it be social media or articles—and there have been times when I’ve encountered something called slanted reporting. Slanted reporting happens when the news reports a story but adds or removes important information in subtle ways that introduce bias, without clearly stating an opinion. This is done to sway the reader’s or viewer’s perspective, nudging them to align with the article’s implied viewpoint, even if it isn’t directly stated. You may not notice it at first, but it’s there, influencing the way you think, feel, or perceive things.
A good example of this can be found in the coverage of the Israel and Hamas conflict by the BBC. In the New York Post article, “BBC accused of breaching its editorial guidelines 1,553 times in Israel-Hamas coverage” it was pointed out that the coverage seemed to place more blame on Israel than on Hamas, using very unfavorable terms like “genocide.” At the same time, the BBC didn’t use harsh language toward Hamas or refer to them as terrorists, despite the fact that government officials do. This is a clear example of slanted reporting—it’s not necessarily “fake news,” but it’s news that leaves out critical details or uses specific language to push you toward supporting one side over the other.
As people, we need to recognize this kind of reporting. So, how do we come to terms with it? I’d suggest asking three important questions: 1.) Who is providing this information? 2.) What is the evidence trying to persuade you to believe? and 3.) Is it trying to tell you how to think? To spot slanted reporting, we must ask ourselves these questions and form our own opinions. That’s why it’s essential to QUESTION EVERYTHING YOU READ! Look up multiple sources, try to see the full picture, and always remain aware and educated. Awareness helps keep us informed and prevents us from being misled.
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