Submit proposal for both the media outlet and your chosen story
For this assignment you are going to compare/contrast national NEWS. You must choose one medium: either two major daily newspapers or two national broadcast networks.
Begin by first reviewing the “news bias” chart developed by Ad Fontes Media (posted in ULearn) and choose one news outlet in opposing positions (from the left, middle or right). Stay on the same “plane or latitude” and within the same medium so you are comparing apples to apples. In other words, don’t compare a daily newspaper to a broadcast outlet and don’t compare two mediums from the same area of bias.
Next, select a news item that both of your selected media outlets have covered in the same news cycle (meaning within a day or two of one another). Consider an issue currently in the news: immigration, recent gun violence, North Korea’s ballistic missile testing, legislative bills expanding or restricting voter rights, the Chauvin trial…whatever intrigues you. Note: you must select either a straight news or feature article, NOT an editorial or opinion piece.
Once you’ve selected the above, re-read or re-watch the coverage of that topic, taking extensive notes identifying similarities and differences. Submit a proposal outlining your chosen media outlets and news story.
When you are ready to write your Compare/Contrast, follow this format:
Begin with an introduction that identifies the topic, the chosen articles or broadcast stories (the dates they were published or aired), and the agencies/platforms in which they were covered.
Then bullet (point-by-point) first the similarities and then the differences for each news story. Compare/contrast the headlines, subheads, leads, nut graf, use of quotes, the supporting evidence (in the body of the story), and use of photographs/clips. Even look at “how” the story was played: was it on the front page or the lead story on the nightly news? Also, see if you detect any “tone” in the delivery of that news item (objective or subjective).
After studying your own C/C, begin your analysis of the objectivity or bias you may have uncovered. This final paragraph should be an in-depth critical analysis of your findings that includes main points and sub-points, supported by evidence taken from the source to illustrate your observations/conclusions. End with some final thoughts that you consider worthy of consideration.
This assignment should be approximately two to three pages in length (double spaced). See above deadlines for submission.
