Annotated Bibliography

Nielsen, M. (2007, June 16). Bias in the Media. Wentworth Institute of Technology. Retrieved from: myweb.wit.edu/nielsenm/Courses/Government/media%20bias.doc

Max Nielsen is a professor at Wentworth Institute of Technology, lecturing in Engineering and Sociology (Wentworth Institute of Technology, 2011). Nielsen does not work or associate himself with the media or communication and as such, his name does not bring legitimacy to the article. However, it is through the citations, examples and referencing that this article finds its credibility. Whilst he may be no media expert, Nielsen supports all claims with relevant citations, and provides examples to back up concepts.  These references show research on the topic, providing evidence to suggest these claims are formed from wider reading, rather than the author’s opinion. It is this that makes this source credible. The article deals with bias in the media and reporting suggesting that “the media can influence public opinion” (Nielsen, 2007). Nielson suggests reasons for this bias as well, claiming that things such as targeting a specific audience, reaching a wider market and the editing of news can create bias and a one-sided report. The general public must be aware of such bias in the media, in order to prevent audiences viewing the media as fact. News reports, despite being based on fact, can display aspects of bias. The following three texts, reporting on the custody battle of the four Italian sisters, demonstrate how it becomes evident. Even when the audience believe they are being delivered unbiased news, an agenda and opinion can be present (Nielsen, 2007).

Calligeros, M. (2012, May 17). Overseas benefactors helping hide children, says mother. Brisbanetimes.com.au. Retrieved from: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/overseas-benefactor-helping-hide-children-says-mother-20120516-1yr0q.html

Brisbanetimes.com.au reported on the sisters in the early days of the custody battle. It relays information about the girls, and the situation between their parents. In an attempt to do this, there are quotes from interviews from the girls’ mother and the judge presiding over the case. The report attempts to relay facts to the reader, stating what has happened and what the current status of the case is. However, these facts are corrupted by the lack of opposing point of view of the case. With extensive quotes from the mother, portraying her point of view, there is no representation of the father in this article; with the only reference to him is concerning his demand to have his children deported from Australia. The lack of any rebuttal shows the bias present in the report and despite relaying facts. The omission of this perspective of the issue leaves audiences with no reason to question the content, and thus believe this perspective to be true, demonstrating that in a powerful way, “media can influence public opinion” (Nielsen, 2007). This source’s bias is different to that of the others, seeming to be in favour of the mother. However, despite this bias, Brisbanetimes.com.au has a reputable name in the South-East Queensland area and thus, brings legitimacy to this article. The author of the article, Melissa Calligeros, being a regular reporter for court cases, brings experience and knowledge of such issues to the article, further increasing the credibility to the text. Being an online text, the article refers readers to other articles on the story. By allowing readers to check facts, and continue reading, it means that the claims and statements in this particular text must be correct, and coincide with that of the other articles. Furthermore, corroboration of this text with that of 9 News Broadcast (2012) supports the credibility of the article, suggesting this article does in fact relay correct information.

Guest, A. (2012, May 16). Judge censures mother over custody orders. The World Today. Retrieved from: http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2012/s3503990.htm

Annie Guest reports over ABC radio, updating listeners on the custody battle on the program The World Today. Reporting live from the Family Court in Brisbane, Guest relays the latest news regarding the four sisters.  The World Today, as part of the ABC News broadcast, creates a sense of legitimacy to its name. Despite having a niche market, the broadcast show is considered in high regard to its followers, especially with the main personality Eleanor Hall having extensive experience in current affair reporting (ABC, 2012). The combination of a reputable broadcast, reliable author and experienced broadcaster, overall suggest this source is credible, holding influence upon its listeners. However, it is from this influence that this bias becomes a specific problem. Bias in this text becomes evident through the intentions of the report. The World Today prides itself on current affair reporting, with the aim to “interpret and encourage debate on events and issues of interest and importance to all Australians.” This point of attempting to “encourage debate” influences how the report is delivered. One part of the text states “one of the children who had said that she wanted to return home,” (Guest, 2012). However, this statement does not corroborate with other sources researched. From this it can be concluded that this fact comes from the publication’s intentions to encourage debate among listeners and thus highlights the bias in this text and to an extent brings into question the overall legitimacy of the text. The agenda of a text plays a major role in the bias of the text, and this report highlights the need for readers/listeners to be able to detect bias as suggested by Nielson (2007). Because this program is held in high regard to its listeners, this bias has an even greater influence on its listeners. The credibility of this source enhances the effect of the bias, and the power it has and thus can easily shape and change opinions of audiences.

9 News Broadcast. (2012, May 22). Hideaway sisters to stay in Aust for now. Ninemsn News. Retrieved from: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8471293/mother-tearfully-urges-daughters-to-stay-strong

Channel Nine News Broadcast reports on the latest information regarding the sisters’ custody battle in their nightly broadcast. It brings to light general knowledge on the issue, as well as updates, including the released statement from the sisters’ father. The channel 9 news broadcast associates credibility with its name, as do the broadcasts of the four major Brisbane channels. Furthermore, within the broadcast there are 3 reporters contributing to the story. This collaboration of material increases the credibility and legitimacy of the claims put forth in the text. This cross check of material suggests that extensive research went into the making of the report, and as such an accurate representation of the story is portrayed. This research also decreases the bias present in the text. Through wide research, all perspectives of the story can be covered, and unlike in the other two texts, the father of the sisters is present. As this broadcast occurs at the end of the day, they are able to gather as much information that occurs throughout the day, and present it to their audience. This allows them to decrease the bias, and present a much more accurate portrayal of the story. The other two sources however is a live cross in the afternoon, and an online update posted in the morning. Due to this, they are just posting the most recent information, thus meaning there is little importance in creating a leveled perspective article. 

This however does not say this source is unbiased; there is a definite emphasis on placing the sisters’ father in a positive light. The language used describing him, using emotive language to relay his situation, in lines such as, “with the father doing whatever he can to see his daughters again,” and presenting him as the victim of the custody, there is a definite slant towards this perspective in the text. This is a different situation from the two other texts, with one focusing on the mother, and the other focusing on the children. These differing biases have a positive effect in the wider context. Standing alone, these texts can influence the audience to believe a certain point of view, however, when read all together it allows viewers/readers to see a balanced story. Through reading multiple reports, audiences are able to reduce the effect of bias and create their own opinion on stories and issues in the media (Nielsen, 2007).