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A Case of Crappy Journalism

While going through my daily routine of reading several news sites and blogs, I came across a simple example of the journalistic landscape that we readers must navigate nowadays.

The same news item, reported by two different news platforms. That of elections in Venezuela.

Let us have a look at the BBC's approach:

... and then compare it to another news platform:

I selected these two news platforms simply because the difference in reporting-focus stuck out to me while reading them.

The BBC article puts a heavy focus on gains made by the Chavez opposition, leaving no doubt that as far as the BBC is concerned, Chavez is viewed negatively.

In this way, the reader is encouraged to develop a negative association with Chavez.

The gains made by the opposition are displayed as a positive development, and the fact that the title solely mentions the opposition is testament to this.

On the other hand, if we look at the Al Jazeera article, even in the title, we see a balance. Both gains made by Chavez allies as well as gains made by the opposition are given equal coverage. The reader is left with the freedom to make up their own mind.

The article by Al Jazeera is neutral and does not reek of subliminal goading.

Quite simply, we as readers, are faced with very crappy journalism on a daily basis. This, in an era and environment where the biggest names in the mass media industry claim to be objective, neutral and professional.

It is annoying, because it wastes time. As someone who is aware of this fact, I take my time reading articles and analyze them while I do so.

I have become allergic to hidden and often cheap attempts at presstitution.

This example is by no means complex. It is merely a sign of our times. Balanced coverage in journalism is a distant mirage.