How does the media provide distorted facts?

Question

How does the news/media provide distorted facts?

Answer 1

The most common way is when whomever that does the editing reduces an individuals comment to a sound bite.

When one is only given a snippet of what an individual said, it is very easy for the listener or reader to misconstrue the intent of the individuals words.

Answer 2

It's not so much of WHAT they report as it is HOW they report it.

Hypothetic example:

Scratchbutt, Oklahoma has one murder in 2006.  Then in 2007 Scratchbutt, Oklahoma has two murders.

Hypothetic headline in the news:

"Scratchbutt, Oklahoma has one murder in 2006 and two murders in 2007."

Or, the "Screamer" headline:

"MURDERS IN SCRATCHBUTT, OKLAHOMA JUMP 100%"

It's all in the method of reportage.

Answer 3

By reporting biased or inaccurate facts.

Answer 4

You can claim the media has corrupted the press freedom in order to profit, you can show the relation between the media and its sponsors. how the press became a political tool.

Some examples where you can read about it to support this claims.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journalism_...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jayson_Blai... http://dissentmag.wordpress.com/2008/03/...

Bush administration payment of columnists (2005)

Main article: Bush administration payment of columnists

The Bush White House paid public funds to right-wing media commentators by several U.S. executive departments under Cabinet officials to promote various policies of U.S. President George W. Bush's administration. Thousands of dollars were paid to at least three commentators to promote Bush administration policies. This included Armstrong Williams, Maggie Gallagher, and Michael McManus

http://www.michaelparenti.org/MonopolyMe...

Gallagher, Maggie. "A question of disclosure." January 26, 2005. [2]

Kurtz, Howard. "Writer backing Bush plan had gotten federal contract." The Washington Post. January 26, 2005. [3]

Toppo, Greg. "Education Dept. paid commentator to promote law." USA Today. January 7, 2005. [4]

Williams, Armstrong. "My apology." January 10, 2005. [5]

Jack Kelley, USA Today (2004)