THE HONORS PROGRAM AT ALVERNIA COLLEGE

Excellence, Interaction, Enthusiasm

Communications

 Cameras in Courtroom: Do They Affect Trail Proceedings? By Ryan Schiavo

 Since O.J. Simpson went on trial for the murder of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman, the debate of whether or not cameras should be allowed in courtrooms has bee raised frequently across the entire nations. Dubbed the “Trial of the Century,” the media coverage of the proceedings was intense. There is a national television network called Court TV, which predominantly airs and dissects trials gavel to gavel as they unfold. Whether the argument is over constitutional amendments, grandstanding attorneys, overbearing media, or trial participants turned victims, the issue of cameras, and what their place is in the courtroom, if nay, will likely never be resolved to the satisfaction of everyone affected by the topic.

Political Media Bias by Shana Gabler

The sheer nature of television news reporting makes it difficult for viewers to distinguish between bias and objective reporting. For some, media bias can be east to detect, but it can also be extremely subtle. There are many elements of broadcast journalism that are subjective and therefore viewers’ perceptions can be influenced whether or not they are aware of it. From the way reporter’s word their stories to the angles upon which they choose to focus, journalists are constantly challenged to maintain fair and unbiased reporting in a very polarized society, especially in an election year.

Beyond the pressure for journalists to remain neutral, bias also challenges the perceptions of a variety of viewers who all have their own beliefs. A news story that one person considers to be biased, another may consider fair. Personal bias is drawn from traits such as where a person lives, their gender, age, race, cultural background, political affiliation, and countless other societal influences. Because every individual has a unique mindset, it is crucial to consider personal qualities when determining whether or not certain news coverage is truly biased.

This paper will examine media bias through the eyes of the reporters, the networks, and the viewing public. By reviewing studies that have already been completed, the reader will be able to determine what is already known about the subject and what has been studied in the recent past. Because the basic topic of political media bias is so broad, there are innumerable studies available. The researcher has chosen to focus on specific studies that investigate bias in network ownership, reporters’ responsibility, political bias, and the potential problems with determining bias in the media.

In addition to the research on media bias, 46 Alvernia College students participated in focus groups examining evening news coverage on the day following the 2004 Presidential election. This study asked students to look for signs of bias in the ABS, CBS, CNN, FOX, and NBC reports on Senator John Kerry’s concession. More on this survey can be found in the methods section on this paper.

For More Information, Contact:
Dr. Victoria Williams, Director of the Honors Program
Francis Hall 406
Office Phone (610) 796-5511
Victoria.williams@alvernia.edu

Updated: July 5, 2006

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