Detecting Bias
Whenever people write something, take a photograph, or paint a picture,
they make choices about what to include and what to leave out. The
words and images they choose help convey their message. Their message
is based on what they know and they choose to share – and it can be
biased.
Bias can range from a simple preference to a prejudice that interferes with
a person’s ability to make a reasoned judgment.
Questions that Help Identify Bias
Who is the writer? What is the writer’s purpose?
Who is the intended audience?
Does the writer provide evidence to support statements?
Does information seem to be missing? Does the writer seem to
favour one person, group or point of view? Is any relevant person or
group ignored or presented negatively?
 Does the writer use propaganda techniques, such as name calling,
stereotyping, or appealing to fear and other emotions?
 How does the information fit with what you already know? Are there
any contradictions? What other sources might you use to verify this
account?
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Provide an example in your own life of where you may see a BIAS…
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An Exercise in Bias – Guess the Country
Read the clues in each column and try and guess the country.
Clues – Column A
Clues – Column B
1.
1. This country has one of
the oldest cultures in the
world. It is the birthplace
of two of the world’s
major religions. It has 16
official languages.
This country is an
exporter of
manufactured goods.
2.
It has a written
constitution. It is a
democracy with an
assembly of elected
representatives.
3. This country is an atomic
power.
2. This country contains
18% of the world’s
population.
4.
4. This country’s population
doubles every 35 years.
This country has
launched its own
satellites, and has made
major scientific
contributions to the
world including algebra.
3.
This country has a major
sacred river to which
millions travel each year.
5. This country is fourth in
the world in number of
universities.
5.
6.
6. The elections in this
country are associated
with great turmoil and
massive public
demonstrations.
This country is second in
the world for the number
of daily newspapers
published.
This country receives
large amounts of foreign
aid.
7. This country is rich in the
arts – painting, sculpture,
singing and dance – and
is the world’s leader in
the production of feature
films.
7.
8.
8. The average life span is
58 years. Infant
mortality is high.
It produces over a
million radios and
300,000 television sets a
year.
Flooding, droughts, and
epidemics occur
frequently in this
country.