Bias Lesson

How do we navigate bias in the media as well as our own biases?

Let's explore the following activities to better grasp how pervasive bias is in our media consumption.

Do Now: Jamboard

Focus: Gauge our current understanding of bias

Answer the following on the Jamboard. Do you think our biases help or hurt us when viewing media?

Activity #1: Left, Right, or Center?

Focus: Recognize bias in the media

The website Allsides.com divides media outlets into categories based on how left (ie. liberal) or right (ie. conservative) they lean in their coverage. CLICK HERE for a description of their different categories.

In this activity, your group will work in a breakout room. Decide if each headline is coming from a Left, Right, or Center news outlet.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FORM

Activity #2: What's Your Bias?

Focus: Recognize that we all have our own biases that we bring to the media we view.

Most media outlets have at least a slight political bias in their reporting. But we as consumers are also guilty of bringing our own bias to everything we watch and read. Our point of view impacts what media we choose to interact with, how we interpret what we're encountering, and what information we share via social media or with friends.

Next, complete **THIS SURVEY** to see where you fall on the political spectrum. We will not be sharing our results, so be honest as you answer the questions. There are no right or wrong answers.

Activity #3: Finding Bias in the Media

Put it all together! We choose our media based on our biases AND our media is biased.

Decoding Media Bias

Now let's put your bias-tracking skills to the test. Work with your group on the document to the left. Compare two articles on your assigned topic (one from column A and one from column B).

Exit Ticket

Same question, but (maybe?) different. Do our biases mostly help or harm our media habits? Explain.

ANSWER HERE.

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