US: Misperception of media bias causes problems for democracy

Posted by Cyril Gros on December 20, 2007 at 3:21 PM

A recently published study about bias in the media, conducted by a Purdue University political sociologist, tends to show American people' lack of trust in the media may lead to less concern about politics.

"If people hear over and over again that the media are biased, then they will begin to believe that," says Philo Wasburn, the author of the study.

"The study showed that these media are doing the job they are supposed to do by providing fair and balanced coverage", Wasburn added.

Highlighting the importance of the media in our society, he fears this decrease of confidence in the media could turn into the decline of public concern towards the political life. "A democratic nation's foundation depends on a free and independent media, but when the public believes the media are partisan, that belief can discourage people from being participatory citizens."

Philo Wasburn based his study on 900 news articles from Time and Newsweek magazines from 1975-2000.

Source: Purdue University News

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