Distrust in the Media and Confirmation Bias

Everyone knows that Republicans only watch conservative television shows like CNN and FOX, while Democrats watch MSNBC and ABC, right? We've covered it all throughout the class-- it appears as though Americans are highly polarized, and the supposed polarization in the coverage from major news stations where they receive their information reflects this.

This article discusses the relationship between media trust/distrust and the self-selection of news outlets. What the evidence in the article shows is that, according to the frequency by which Republicans and Democrats Americans have become increasingly more polarized since the 2000s. In 2000, whether respondents were satisfied with the media's coverage or not, there was no particularly strong relationship between attitudes toward the media and partisan self-selection of media outlets. In 2010, another study was done but this time, one that measured perceived levels of media bias against partisan self-selection of media outlets. The results of this second study reveal a truth about contemporary relationships between partisan self-selection and attitudes toward the media. Perception of media bias leads to distrust in major media outlets. Americans with these dispositions would tend to slip back into the comfort zone of attending to news outlets that confirm their attitudes and deeply held values, thereby securing them into an echo-chamber.

We've discussed the dangers of echo-chambers, whether it be through new media outlets like social networks or with traditional media like print and broadcast media. Just like the customization of friend lists and the accessibility to remove those from your sphere that disagree with your attitudes is dangerous, we can see this same sort trend even with the news outlets that Americans tune into.. or not.

The important thing is that even in the the midst of media uncertainty, it is vital that we stay informed via a broad range of media outlets and always be willing to engage in political dialogue with those that don't hold our attitudes, opinions, and beliefs politically.

http://themonkeycage.org/blog/2012/04/27/distrust-in-the-media-and-confirmation-bias/