Is there bias in the news?

In the news business, we try to be very careful not to show bias in our reporting of the things which happen in our communities and around the world. We try, as it were, to check our baggage at the door and fairly report all sides of an issue without showing favoritism toward or discrimination against any one person, group or organization. But is that even possible? Can a person divorce himself from his views and opinions and give an honest and unbiased report on every issue?

We often hear complaints from politicians and political organizations about a biased news media and, to an extent, that may be true. Some candidates and views receive more coverage than others because someone made a judgment call about what is most significant for the greatest number of people or which stories will attract the greatest audience. Sometimes the political bias of reporters and even of entire news organizations taints what is covered and reported and what is often and sadly ignored.

And how can bias be kept out of the media? Honestly, it can't! While it may be checked to some degree, there is always that element of bias which affects everything we do -- whether it be in what is covered, how it's covered or how its written and presented.

I've often wondered about business models for news media and which would best keep bias out. If advertising is the support base, there is always going to be that concern about how news is reported which may reflect negatively on an advertiser. If subscriptions are the base of support, then it's a concern for keeping and gaining subscribers. If news organizations don't view a story to be of much interest to subscribers, it may be ignored. If another story could offend certain groups of subscribers, it may be rejected.

Just to throw in an example here, it may be distasteful to show photos of dead bodies in the news and, out of respect for family members and for people's sensitivities, many news organizations keep such photos out of publications or broadcasts. Police and emergency workers often take it upon themselves to put up protective curtains to prevent the possibility of such photos making it into some news broadcast or publication. But, the reality is that accidents happen and people die. One might even argue that, if people saw the reality of tragic accidents, they might exercise a bit more caution on the road. And, having seen firsthand the tragic results of accidents from my days in law enforcement, I sometimes wonder if it is being fully honest to leave them out.

In some cases and places, news media is supported by the government. Then reporting on or exposing the misdeeds of government and government officials becomes a concern. Telling the truth could, sometimes, mean a cut in funding and being out of a job.

One somewhat more unique model for support of news media is through donations and supporting foundations. One might think such a model would free the media to report all the news without fear, but what if a negative story needs to be told about an individual or company which provides much support for the news media? You see my point!

Of course, the whole issue of being fair and unbiased doesn't only apply to the media. It is an issue for just about every human entity and organization. It affects governments, businesses, schools, law enforcement, charitable organizations and even churches.

In all honesty, I know of only one publication which is entirely unbiased, and that is the Bible. God is the author and He needs or depends on no one. He does not tone it down to keep from offending readers. He tells it like it is. And it doesn't matter whether one is rich or poor, old or young, high class or low, a church goer or an atheist. God's book tells us all of our sinfulness and shortcomings and minces no words telling us of the eternal punishment we all deserve. When God tells us He shows no partiality, He shows no partiality!

The Bible tells us that all have sinned and fall short of God's expectations, and the Bible tells us that Jesus Christ and His death upon the cross are the only way to be saved (cf. Rom. 3:23-24; John 14:6).

While God shows no bias and His Book is the unspun truth, then there are preachers. It is a difficult thing to keep biases out of the picture when preaching God's Word. What will a congregation do if a preacher points out the sinfulness of its parishioners? What if it's a major contributor who needs to be confronted with God's Word and warned he is headed to hell if he does not repent? What if a church's doctrine or practice is not in agreement with God's Word?

While many preachers may be tempted to allow some bias to influence their preaching and teaching, how important to simply say what God's Word says, nothing more and nothing less! After all, even if ministers must answer here to their congregations, they ultimately will answer to God Himself and that is what really matters (cf. 1 Cor. 4:1-5)!

Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer. He may be contacted by email at [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.