Let's about a major source of media bias that often gets overlooked: Where reporters get their stories.
Truth is that reporters often get their stories from activists. The problem is that many mainstream reporters mostly associate with and follow activists on the left. 1/
Truth is that reporters often get their stories from activists. The problem is that many mainstream reporters mostly associate with and follow activists on the left. 1/
To give a recent example of how this works in practice: Judd Legum, a far-left activist with a large media following, has been leading a campaign to get corporate companies to disassociate from MS Senator Hyde-Smith since the general election.
Companies tend to ignore these partisan campaigns until they get mainstream media attention. Putting aside what you think of this specific campaign or Legum (who imo is fairly dishonest), the point here is how his push becomes a story in mainstream outlets. 3/
On 12/27 Judd Legum posted a long thread about how some companies never got refunds from Hyde-Smith (she is not legally required to give them).
A few hours later CNN ran with that exact story. The reporter happens to follow Legum.
Then The Hill copied the CNN story etc.
A few hours later CNN ran with that exact story. The reporter happens to follow Legum.
Then The Hill copied the CNN story etc.
This is fairly typical of how these stories come about...
Problem is that most mainstream reporters would almost never source a similar story from an activist thread from the right (even a fare more honest activist). At best, it would get picked up by some right-leaning outlets.
Problem is that most mainstream reporters would almost never source a similar story from an activist thread from the right (even a fare more honest activist). At best, it would get picked up by some right-leaning outlets.
That creates a major source of media bias that is almost impossible to evaluate or quantify. Left-wing activists regularly get their campaigns and preferred stories highlighted in the mainstream press, which gives them more credibility. Rarely happens the other way.
