Episode Details

In this episode of pplpod, we break down the complex machinery of media bias. We move past the simple accusations of individual prejudice to explore how bias is often structural, driven by economic incentives and the demand for confirmation,. Join us as we unpack the history of biased reporting—from the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 to modern accusations of "fake news"—and analyze why trust in media has plummeted since the 1980s,.

Topics covered in this episode:

• Supply vs. Demand: We discuss the difference between supply-driven bias, where outlets skew news to please advertisers or owners, and demand-driven bias, where media companies cater to the specific beliefs and prejudices of their audience,.

• The Social Media Shift: How the transition from print to digital has commodified information, prioritizing viral, emotional click-bait over truth. We look at how algorithms create "echo chambers" that steep users in their own ideologies and how specific platforms may amplify right-leaning content,.

• Types of Spin: A look at the taxonomy of bias, including gatekeeping (what gets covered), sensationalism (favoring the exceptional over the ordinary), and negativity bias.

• The Trap of "False Balance": Why giving equal time to both sides of an issue (the "point/counterpoint" format) can sometimes lead to misleading coverage rather than true objectivity.

Tune in to understand how the news is made, why it makes you feel the way it does, and how to spot the invisible structures shaping your worldview.