How Do You Tell the News from the Noise?

ADR Science 9 Name: ___________

Today, more than 3 billion people have access to the internet, a source of news, blogs and social networks.
Many 24-hour news channels operate worldwide. Newspapers are published every day both in print and online.
Magazines and academic journals are other sources of news. People always have access to the news, which sounds like a
good thing. However, a study on the state of media by the Center of Journalistic Excellence at Columbia University
concluded that the news is growing increasingly biased. Rumors and falsehoods fly across the Internet at light speed.
More than 67% of all TV news segments consist of reports or interviews in which only a single point of view is
presented without any background or perspective. Using critical thinking skills, like those listed in Table 4.2, to analyze
news stories is an important part of being an educated citizen. In this lab, you will practice using these skills.

Question:
How can you determine the bias in a media report?

Procedure:
1) Choose a media report about the environment to read (or watch) and analyze.
2) Use the critical thinking skills listed in Table 4.2 to detect whether or not the report contains bias.

Analyze and Interpret:

1) Answer the following questions about your article:
a. This article caught my attention because….

b. How does this article relate to environmental science?

c. Expand and elaborate on how the “science” article impacts you/why you chose it.

d. Brainstorm of Key Points in Article (Who, What, Where, When, Why)

 2) Summarize the article

3) Did the report you chose contain bias? Explain your reasoning.

Conclude and Communicate:

1) What factors influence the ways you form your opinions from the news and other sources of information?
Table 4.2
Critical Thinking Skill
Identify and evaluate
statements and conclusions
in an argument
Acknowledge and clarify
uncertainties, vagueness, and
contradictions.
Distinguish among facts,
opinions, and values.
Recognize and assess the
assumptions
Determine the reliability or
unreliability of the source.
Recognize and understand
the context in which things
are presented.
Examples of Questions to Ask Yourself
- What is the basis for the claims made?
- What evidence is presented to support the claims, and what conclusions
are drawn from this evidence?
- If the statements and evidence are correct, does it necessarily follow that
the conclusions are valid?
- Do the terms used have more than one meaning?
- If so, are all participants in the arguments using the same meanings?
- Are the uncertainties deliberate?
- Can all the claims be true at the same time?
- Are claims made that can be tested?
- Are claims made about the worth or lack of worth of something?
- Given the backgrounds and views of the people in argument, what
underlying reasons might exist for the statements, evidence or conclusions
they present?
- Does anyone have a personal agenda?
- Are there underlying suggestions based on gender, ethnicity, economics, a
belief system or any other factors that can affect the discussion?
- What makes the experts qualified in this issue?
- What special knowledge or information do they have?
- What evidence do they present?
- How can I determine whether their information is unbiased, accurate, and
complete?
- What are the basic beliefs, attitudes, and values that this person, group, or
society holds?
- How do these beliefs and values affect the way people view themselves
and the world around them?
- If there are conflicting beliefs or values, how can these differences be
resolved?