When reading the media one must always consider that media may be bias, people may have incentives or hidden agendas and the facts may be conflicting. In order to properly evaluate and decide what information makes sense and what seems like a lie the audience should practice critical reading.
A critical reader is able to separate fact from interpretation; to a critical reader the facts provide portrayal.In an article by James B. Stewart “Tax Plan Is Popular, but Not Quite Fair” in the New York Times the writer shows much bias to the critical reader. While the article had depth it was lacking in equality or fairness, the author clearly reported the facts with his opinion in mind.
The author is affected by the news, therefore it is reasonable to assume his emotions where involved when writing the article.Stewart mentions in the article “And it would hit people like me: taxpayers in higher brackets who rely on earned income as opposed to investment income or an inheritance, who give to charity and live in a high-tax state. Assuming a $35,000 limit on itemized deductions, my federal tax last year would have risen to 27 percent of my adjusted gross income, from 22 percent”, a critical reader would consider the tone the author displays before taking in all the information as facts.Stewart seems to be one sided and attacks Romney by supporting his believes with people who agree with Stewart, for example; “Leonard Burman, a tax expert at Syracuse University and co-author of the recent book, “Taxes in America: What Everyone Needs to Know,” said that “most itemized deductions are of dubious merit — they don’t do much good, and they’re not well-targeted at providing assistance to people who really need it.
” (James B. Stewart, 2012).The author ignores the other side of the story, only providing facts which make Romney look unreasonable and greedy. Although the article is bias it should not be considered irrelevant or discredited. In order to have a better grasp on the situation the same issue must be reviewed from another source.
It is important to make distinctions between fact and interpretation when undertaking a critical evaluation so that we may walk away with the most truthful evaluation possible.The article seemed filled with affirmations about the writer’s point of view on the economic issue. In order to detect media bias the audience should think critically and remember that no one person should be above skepticism. Recognizing aspects of news stories that control the meaning is to be kept in mind when interpreting news media.
It is important to make critical evaluations on news stories so that we do walk as blind people. Knowledge is power and so is truth.
