Last updated on Aug 2, 2024

You're reporting on a sensitive news story. How can you confront unconscious bias in your coverage?

When it comes to reporting on sensitive stories, you're not just a conveyor of information; you're a guardian of truth. This truth, however, can be obscured by unconscious bias, which subtly influences how you perceive and present facts. Unconscious biases are the automatic, mental shortcuts used to process information and make decisions quickly. Unfortunately, these biases can taint your narrative, potentially leading to partiality or misrepresentation. As a journalist, your job is to recognize and mitigate these biases to maintain the integrity of your reporting.

1 Acknowledge Bias

To confront unconscious bias in your reporting, start by acknowledging its existence. You might believe that your work is free of prejudice, but bias can infiltrate your thoughts without you even noticing. It's shaped by your background, experiences, and societal norms. Recognizing that no one is immune to bias is the first step in addressing it. This self-awareness allows you to scrutinize your viewpoints and challenge your assumptions, ensuring that your coverage is not swayed by personal predispositions.

Add your perspective

Ridham Ahuja

Versatile Professional with Diverse Skills
Report contribution
I confront unconscious bias by seeking diverse sources, actively listening to opposing views, and fact-checking assumptions to ensure balanced and accurate reporting.

Like

2 Diverse Perspectives

Incorporating diverse perspectives is crucial in minimizing unconscious bias. Seek out sources from different backgrounds, cultures, and communities, especially those who are directly affected by the story. By doing so, you ensure that multiple angles are considered, and you're less likely to overlook important aspects of the story. This doesn't just add depth to your coverage; it also provides a safeguard against one-sided narratives that might inadvertently emerge from a homogenous perspective.

Add your perspective

Humaira Kahhar

ESG Advocator | Public Relations | Freelance Writer | Former Journalist intern at Kosmo!
Report contribution
Gather a variety of sources to avoid a one-sided perspective in reporting. For example, suppose a journalist is covering the educational achievements of Malaysians. Malaysia consists of Malays, Chinese, Indians, and indigenous groups. In that case, the initial report might unintentionally focus on the success of Chinese students while overlooking the challenges and accomplishments of other races. This can impact how different communities are portrayed. To ensure fair representation, all these racial groups NEED to be included.

Like

3 Fact-Check Rigorously

Rigorous fact-checking is your shield against unconscious bias. Verify every piece of information, even if it seems to align with what you already believe to be true. This helps prevent the spread of misinformation and ensures that your story stands on a solid foundation of facts. In doing so, you'll also be challenging your preconceptions and reducing the risk of bias creeping into your narrative.

Add your perspective

Kaif Shaikh

Journalist | Media Strategist | SEO & Digital Storytelling
Report contribution
As far as Biases are concerned, fact-checking is not just about verifying the truth of the matter. It is an opportunity to grow out of your prejudices, discover where they originate from, and learn acceptance.

Like

4 Language Sensitivity

Pay close attention to language sensitivity in your reporting. The words and phrases you choose carry weight and can subtly convey bias. Opt for neutral language that describes situations and individuals factually without resorting to stereotypes or assumptions. How you frame a story can significantly impact the reader's perception, so selecting your words carefully is an essential step in fair reporting.

Add your perspective

Paradise Andisheh

Founder @ pardis.pro | Industrial Engineering, Marketing Strategy
Report contribution
Careful word choice helps to avoid the subtle confirmation of prejudices. It is critical to seek out various sources, conduct thorough fact-checking, and be wary of preconceptions. Journalists must also practice continuous self-reflection in order to combat personal prejudices and ensure fair and accurate representation. For instance, let me provide you an example. • Biased Language: "A group of teenagers were involved in a disturbance." • Unbiased language: "A group of young people were involved in a disturbance." The phrase "teenagers" may have negative connotations and stereotypes. However, the second phrase employs the more neutral term "young people," without any judging tone.

Like

5 Continuous Education

Continuous education is key to confronting unconscious bias. Stay informed about the social and cultural contexts of the stories you cover. Understanding the historical background and current issues faced by the communities involved can help you avoid perpetuating stereotypes or overlooking significant factors. Educating yourself on these matters is an ongoing process, but it's vital for responsible journalism.

Add your perspective

6 Peer Review

Finally, consider implementing a peer review system where colleagues can evaluate your work for potential biases. Fresh eyes can spot subtleties that you might have missed and provide constructive feedback. This collaborative approach not only helps in identifying and eliminating bias but also fosters a culture of accountability and excellence within your journalistic practice.

Add your perspective

Humaira Kahhar

ESG Advocator | Public Relations | Freelance Writer | Former Journalist intern at Kosmo!
Report contribution
In my opinion, peer review is a great way to avoid unconscious bias. Since everyone has different viewpoints, colleagues can spot things you might miss and give valuable feedback. For example, imagine a journalist in Malaysia reporting on a new public transport system in Penang. Peer review helps by catching any missing details or biases. For instance, if the report only mentions the benefits, peer reviewers might point out if it doesn’t include potential downsides, like how the project could affect local businesses. They might also suggest adding opinions. This makes sure the story is balanced and covers all important aspects. However, before getting feedback, journalists should first make sure their work is thoroughly fact-checked.

Like

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

You're reporting on a sensitive news story. How can you confront unconscious bias in your coverage?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Acknowledge Bias

2 Diverse Perspectives

3 Fact-Check Rigorously

4 Language Sensitivity

5 Continuous Education

6 Peer Review

7 Here’s what else to consider

Journalism

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Journalism

More relevant reading