NewsAndAnalysis.org

Mission

 

To satisfy the growing public appeal for comprehensive and unbiased information and provide an alternative to bias, sensationalism, and poor analysis propagated by media and political figures.

 

▪ Monitor current events

▪ Monitor media coverage and other public portrayals of current events

–▪ Conduct necessary research to better inform the public debate of key issues

▪ Conduct unbiased and quality analysis to highlight bias, sensationalism, and poor analysis

 

Need

 

NewsAndAnalysis.org is the alternative to bias, sensationalism and poor analysis propagated by media and political figures.

 

Media bias is historically cyclical, reaching its peak during periods of heightened political tension, such as elections.  Rather than mitigating this bias, media companies are institutionalizing it by developing openly biased programs and networks, such as conservative and liberal talk radio.  “Balanced” reporting has become a substitute for unbiased reporting, where competing stances are given equal coverage and key issues not addressed by any faction are ignored.

 

Sensationalism and poor analysis are, in large part, products of the media’s business model.  To continue to attract current and new viewers, media outlets are resorting to increasingly sensationalized depictions of events.  For example, during the 2004 presidential campaign, simple rebuttals by candidates were described with the words “slams” and “blasts” rather than the more accurate word “disagrees.”  Further, media outlets tend to concentrate their coverage on scandals, rumors, and the bizarre.  This selective approach to reporting largely ignores complex and slowly developing issues, regardless of their importance, such as social security reform.  Therefore, these important issues are not given sufficient coverage to inform the public of the many facets of the debate.

 

Finally, the media’s increasing emphasis on speed – “you heard it here first” – is prompting it to replace legitimate analysis with often opinionated and seldom thorough “expert” commentary.  The emergence of "bloggers" onto the media scene only exacerbates this problem.  Bloggers seek to report events as quickly as possible.  They argue that this emphasis on speed lessens the ability of mainstream media sources to ignore the issue.  However, from tactical intelligence to media reporting, it is commonly understood that most initial reports are inaccurate.  The bloggers' tendency to report gossip as news not only confuses the public's understanding of the issue by introducing inaccurate or irrelevant information, but also it pressures mainstream media outlets to abandon prudent analysis before reporting the story.

 

The institutionalization of bias and continued increase of sensationalism and poor analysis, along with the rise of alternative media sources (e.g., “bloggers”) have led to a long, steady decline in public trust of the media.   NewsAndAnalysis.org endeavors to gain this trust.