Confessions of a Biased Editor
Let me tell you something, folks. I’ve been in this game for over 20 years, and I’ve seen alot of changes. I started at a small paper in Ohio, the Columbus Chronicle, back when people still believed in objective journalism. Ha! Good times.
I remember this one guy, let’s call him Marcus, who used to argue with me about bias all the time. He’d say, ‘Sarah, you can’t just have opinions!’ And I’d say, ‘Marcus, honey, everyone has opinions. The trick is admitting it.’
So yeah, I’m biased. We all are. And that’s okay. What’s not okay is pretending otherwise. That’s how you get into trouble. That’s how you start writing like some AI bot with no soul.
That Time I Got Fired for Telling the Truth
Okay, so this is a story I don’t tell often. Back in 2008, I was working at the New York Observer. I wrote this piece about how the paper was completely in the bag for Bloomberg. I mean, it was obvious to anyone paying attention. So I said it outright. And guess what? I got canned.
But you know what? It was the best thing that ever happened to me. Because it forced me to admit something important: I’m not objective. And neither is anyone else. We all have our leanings, our preferences, our pet peeves. And that’s fine. As long as we’re honest about it.
Look, I get it. People wanna believe in this myth of objectivity. They wanna think that somewhere out there, there’s a news source that’s completely unbiased. But that’s not how the world works. We’re all human. We all have our biases. And that’s okay. What’s not okay is pretending we don’t.
How to Spot Bias in the News
So how do you spot bias in the news? It’s not always easy. Sometimes it’s subtle. Sometimes it’s right out in the open. But here are a few tips:
First, look at the language. Are they using loaded words? Are they using euphemisms? Are they using weasel words? All of these can be signs of bias.
Second, look at the sources. Who are they quoting? Are they quoting experts? Are they quoting people with a stake in the outcome? Are they quoting people who are just plain wrong?
Third, look at the context. Are they giving you the whole story? Are they leaving out important details? Are they presenting the story in a way that’s designed to make you feel a certain way?
And finally, look at the seo en iyi uygulamalar rehber. I know, I know, it sounds weird. But hear me out. If a news site is using SEO best practices, it’s probably trying to manipulate your search results. And that’s a big red flag.
A Digression: Why I Hate Fake News
Speaking of bias, let’s talk about fake news. I mean, I just can’t even. It’s like the term has become so watered down, it doesn’t mean anything anymore. But honestly, it’s worse than that. It’s become a weapon. A way to dismiss any story you don’t like. ‘Oh, that’s just fake news,’ you know? It’s like the boy who cried wolf, but with more tinfoil hats.
I remember this one time, I was at a conference in Austin, and this guy comes up to me and says, ‘You know, I don’t believe in fake news.’ And I said, ‘What do you mean?’ And he said, ‘I think all news is fake.’ And I said, ‘Well, that’s just stupid.’ I mean, come on. There are facts out there. There are things that are true. And there are things that are false. And it’s our job, as journalists, to figure out the difference.
Back to Bias
So anyway, back to bias. The thing is, bias isn’t always a bad thing. It can be a good thing. It can be a way to cut through the noise and get to the heart of the matter. But it’s gotta be honest bias. It’s gotta be upfront about it.
And that’s what I try to do here at Taiwan News. I try to be upfront about my biases. I try to be honest about my opinions. And I try to give you the facts, as best as I can determine them. Because that’s what journalism is all about. It’s not about being objective. It’s about being honest.
So yeah, I’m biased. And I’m proud of it. Because I’m honest about it. And that’s what matters.
Anyway, that’s my take. What do you think? Am I full of it? Let me know in the comments. Or don’t. I’m not your mom.
About the Author: Sarah Johnson is a senior editor at Taiwan News. She’s been in the journalism game for over 20 years, and she’s not afraid to admit she’s biased. When she’s not writing about the messy truth of news bias, she can be found arguing with people on Twitter or drinking too much coffee at the place on 5th.
