Theories of Media Bias

1. Grassroots theory

1.1. This theory indicates that news outlets consciously produce stories that will gain the general publics support. Newspapers will publish stories that will make the people talk about the remarkable stories, while manipulating the readers. The objective of the news articles is to create stories that the audience will enjoy.

1.1.1. This article explains how the grassroots theory manipulates the minorities, and how it makes the poor believe the wealthy.

2. Professional Subculture theory

2.1. The goal of the journalist is described with accuracy, while telling the story in human terms. The intention of the journalist is to avoid objectivity, while obtaining accuracy. The news outlets want to maintain a accurate norm.

2.1.1. This example of the professional subculture theory is how criminals develop into a group and their own culture.

3. The ruling elite theory

3.1. This theory suggests that the media deliberately supports the ruling elite. In simpler terms, social media users are trained to accept members of the elite truth, while the elite are persuading people. The elite and wealthy are presenting the media by distorting the truth to benefit themselves.

3.1.1. This video describes the ruling elite theory in more complex terms.

3.1.1.1. This website explains the ruling elite theory with multiple charts and decriptions.

4. "Money Machine" theory

4.1. This theory describes how owners of the media, such as newspapers and television, are influenced by financial profit. Major, important stories are ignored to manipulate the public, and many companies primarily focus on money and status.

4.1.1. This article describes how fake news circulates while journalists and wealthy media influencers make profit off any story.

4.1.1.1. This article explains how the news negatively affects citizens and how the news outlets are influencing our lives subconsciously.