MEDIA BIAS: IS IT REAL?

Abstract

In the context of today’s media realities which is influenced by rich access to news and information from various media sources, many viewers are unaware that media often constructed its content to persuade individuals of a certain intended message. However, recent years have seen the declining trust towards the media, which contributes to public belief that media has no longer adhere to its traditional media ethics. This study aims to investigate the biases and persuasion strategies as utilised in media interviews. Investigation on the interpersonal meanings articulated by the interactants was carried out based on their Mood choices. The data were obtained from two transcriptions of television interviews on the death of Muammar Gaddafi. Questions which were employed using the WH- interrogatives was found to be more superior in subjects which are linked to the death of the said figure. This finding highlights the use of Mood choices by the interviewers as they wish to reduce the pressure on the interviewees. However, the usage of yes/no interrogatives was found to be more superior when discussing unimportant subjects. The result obtained from this research will give a clearer picture on the numerous linguistic tactics utilised by the media in persuading the public to affirm their political position which will witness the soar in the public’s obligation to choose without being coerced by the biasness employed by the media.