Topic > Gun control bias in the media

Gun violence in the United States has been reported to cause thousands of deaths each year. These deaths are the result of both homicide and suicide cases. While gun violence is a national disaster, it is more prevalent in poor neighborhoods than gang violence. To control the situation, the federal government, through Congress, sought to implement gun control policies. Democrats considered liberal favor regulation of firearm ownership, while Republicans considered conservative see gun control laws as an attack on Americans' rights. The media, as significant actors in providing information to the public, have at times not been neutral in reporting. This may be due to what could be seen as political interference. CNN, Fox News, and the Chicago Tribune, among other major media outlets, have been seen to present different facts when reporting on gun control and the politics behind it. It has been observed that the media provides liberal and conservative ideologies instead of offering facts from both sides. An analysis of the different reports of these media will highlight various ones, such as interpretation bias, labeling bias, omission bias and finally source selection bias. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The first bias you may notice when talking about gun control is bias through a selection of sources. This is the time when several media outlets choose to deliberately leave out information that goes against their point of view. Democrats managed to pass two priority gun control bills, but there was no shortage of sideshows in media reports. The media claims to be impartial, but the fact that they are invited to discuss gun control laws is a strong indication of their affiliation. Before the vote, CNN invited Representative Lucy McBath, who is a Democrat, to give her opinion on federal background checks for gun ownership. The House representative had lost her son to gun violence, and her emotional plea was for what she calls "finding a way, without infringing on people's Second Amendment rights." (CNN) Recommends background checks and background checks saying it would reduce gun deaths. On the other hand, Fox News on February 26, 2019 invited House Representative Steve Scalise, a Republican, to share his views on gun control legislation. Steve, who is a survivor of gun violence, supports gun ownership because, in his statement, gun ownership can help save lives. In his interview with Fox News' Brian, he was disappointed that Democrats wouldn't listen to his reasons for making it easier for people to buy guns. (Fox News) The two media houses describe their efforts to promote a particular program to their viewers. In this case, CNN viewers have a strong opinion on gun control while Fox News viewers are in favor of gun ownership based on what they receive from their news sources. Spin bias is another way information is manipulated by the media to further their agenda. Gun control is a crucial issue that needs to be soberly debated, but unfortunately liberals and conservatives through the media supporting their policiesthey are making up stories to fit their narrative. In an effort to reduce gun violence, Democrats have proposed policies to make gun ownership difficult, a view Republicans oppose. The Chicago Tribune, a newspaper considered conservative, wrote it; “Police won't necessarily prosecute those who don't comply, but could arrest anyone with an outstanding warrant” (Chicago Tribune np) This is seen as an attempt to show the chaos that would be caused by giving up guns return to waiting authority of control. In an open forum with some of those affected by gun violence, CNN's Brooke Baldwin sought to convey the stories of those affected and their pain. They are relieved by the horror of losing people they know in a very emotional session. At the end of the interviews, Brooke states that "it's important to remember who you are and why you're in this fight." This is not at all about watering down the messages transmitted by the various media channels. What this bias indicates is the consistency in their reporting style which in this case somehow shows one side of the story and uses incidents as "proof" of what they are promoting. The gun control debate has seen prevalent bias by omission in the media. The media has been selective about who it invites to give its opinion on the issue. They have been astute in how the public perceives this sensitive issue through the lens of political division they support. In 2018, after the Texas school shooting, people deemed influential were invited into movie studios to weigh in on the issue while some of their social media was highlighted on live television. CNN while trying to capture the atmosphere of the event invited Mark Kelly. Mark is an astronaut, US Navy and political activist, husband of former Democratic House Representative Gabriele Gifford and personally a Democrat. While in the studio, Anderson Cooper asked Mark's opinion on President Trump's commitment to protecting children and making schools safe. He responded by saying, “I don't think I heard him say anything today that was a positive direction to take this issue seriously... I think the only thing he said was that we should fly the flags at half-staff.” ' (CNN) Objectively the channel would have invited an opinion contrary to its own opinion. Fox News, while highlighting the issue of gun policy, invited Tomi Lahren, Kayleigh McEnany and Charlie Kirk who deviated from the gun ban or no gun ban theme and highlighted the need to address cultural issues. Tomi says, “I think everyone here, because we are supporters of the First Amendment, believes that everyone on both sides of the issue has a right to talk about these issues and that we can reach some kind of consensus.” This is a calculated measure to dilute the intensity of the issue at hand and focus on other issues to illustrate to its viewers how the issue is less urgent or less important as the opposing side claims. Another misconception that the media isn't trying that hard to hide is labeling. This is done by the media personality or writer when giving a report, introduce a character who could play the role of "expert" or "victim" to lead a conversation. Fox News, in an interview with Dana Loesch, spokesperson for the National Rifle Association (NRA), supported the freedom to own guns. In this context, his advice was asked regarding the organization he works for which supports the right to own guns and has funded numerous research to prove the validity of their point. Dana has.