Warning: Site has No Bias!
One of the most valued virtues PBS NewsHour strives to embody is the lack of bias. Within all interviews, straightforward questions are asked, instead of loaded questions, or questions asked in such a way to produce a specific answer. The news stories reported include multiple perspectives, may it be gender: male versus female, political party: conservative versus liberal, or age: young versus old, for example. By delivering honest reports, PBS NewsHour is seen as reliable and steady, but this may be a negative factor to those who prefer news catered to their beliefs. The straightforward interviews, all encompassing view points, and wide array of facts presented allow the audience to receive the news in their own way, or decide their stance on an issue for their own.
Post 7: These industries are growing. So why are men staying away?
The narrator uses few loaded words within the story. He speaks in a serious tone and uses formal diction, along with a few colloquial terms. There is no emotional attachment throughout its entirety.
The narrator refers to the main character as “A rare bird, a man in a woman’s world of work,” which can be seen as an appeal to pathos for its laughable qualities. The narrator also mentions the percentage of men who participate in this line of work (2-5%), which by using facts appeals to logos, and builds his credibility to the previous statement, appealing to ethos. He also mentions that “The share of working men between the ages of 25 and 54 has fallen drastically since 1957. And 12% have dropped out of the work force entirely.” These statistics along with various character interviews throughout the video build the narrator's credibility, strengthening his argument.
He begins his argument with a claim, then uses facts and testimonials to back his claim, and ends it off with a call to action. The call to action in this video is essentially: look at the next generation, teach those young boys that it is okay to be the nurturer and the teacher.
The narrator refers to the main character as “A rare bird, a man in a woman’s world of work,” which can be seen as an appeal to pathos for its laughable qualities. The narrator also mentions the percentage of men who participate in this line of work (2-5%), which by using facts appeals to logos, and builds his credibility to the previous statement, appealing to ethos. He also mentions that “The share of working men between the ages of 25 and 54 has fallen drastically since 1957. And 12% have dropped out of the work force entirely.” These statistics along with various character interviews throughout the video build the narrator's credibility, strengthening his argument.
He begins his argument with a claim, then uses facts and testimonials to back his claim, and ends it off with a call to action. The call to action in this video is essentially: look at the next generation, teach those young boys that it is okay to be the nurturer and the teacher.
Post 6: How studying simulated tornadoes could help save real lives.
The scientist speaking does not use emotion words or loaded diction, but it is obvious by how much time and money he has put into his job and work that he loves what he does. His tone is intrigued yet dull, almost sad, knowing the outcome of the twisters he studies.
He cites the biggest super-cell storms from 2011 such as Joplin Missouri, Tuscaloosa Alabama, El Rino Oklahoma, appealing to logos. Many pictures of the aftermath of tornadoes are used while his voice-over is being played, which triggers feelings of sadness and sympathy towards those affected, appealing to pathos. This trigger of emotions the pictures create cause the audience to agree with the researcher more, because they can see the importance of his work as they hear him speak about it.
To build his argument he explains the reasoning behind why his work matters, hits the audience with a demonstration of his research, and concludes the argument with an explanation of how his work can better the lives of many across not just the United States, but the world.
He cites the biggest super-cell storms from 2011 such as Joplin Missouri, Tuscaloosa Alabama, El Rino Oklahoma, appealing to logos. Many pictures of the aftermath of tornadoes are used while his voice-over is being played, which triggers feelings of sadness and sympathy towards those affected, appealing to pathos. This trigger of emotions the pictures create cause the audience to agree with the researcher more, because they can see the importance of his work as they hear him speak about it.
To build his argument he explains the reasoning behind why his work matters, hits the audience with a demonstration of his research, and concludes the argument with an explanation of how his work can better the lives of many across not just the United States, but the world.
Post 5: Donated dresses help teens believe in themselves.
By referring to the dresses in the video as “designer” and mentioning that they are from “across the globe” gives a greater impact the work the organization is doing. The overall tone of the report is happy and hopeful.
The narrator appeals to pathos by using the charitable aspect of the video to pull at the audience’s heart strings. She also references The Boys and Girls Club and the fashion designer who began the whole project to build credibility.
The argument is displayed through a current even (prom season), transitions into an informational session giving details about the program, who it has impacted, how, and why, and ends with a sweet sentiment considering the man’s work and donations.
The narrator appeals to pathos by using the charitable aspect of the video to pull at the audience’s heart strings. She also references The Boys and Girls Club and the fashion designer who began the whole project to build credibility.
The argument is displayed through a current even (prom season), transitions into an informational session giving details about the program, who it has impacted, how, and why, and ends with a sweet sentiment considering the man’s work and donations.
Post 4: Hands-on veterinary program enriches Navajo students.
The narrator of the video uses little inflection and few loaded words, but has an inspired tone throughout. She seems happy about the effects of the topic reported, so possibilities of emotional attachment exist.
By interviewing a teacher in this facility, the reporter could use his testimonial to appeal to ethos and pathos. Showing a real person, their life experiences, and their drive can make the reporter more believable while impacting the audience emotionally. The reporter also appeals to logos, using statistics like “students who participate in the program perform better than the state average on math and English tests...100% of participants graduate high school...75% of participants go to college or trade school, the rest straight to a job.” These facts show the importance of the program, and the impact it has on students, their careers, and the economy.
The argument is strong, because it is backed by testimonials and facts. It is constructed starting with an idea for change, followed by proven results, and ended with an inspirational quote: “Always leave the world better than you found it.” Which speaks to the man who started it all, his school, and the lives of the children he has helped.
By interviewing a teacher in this facility, the reporter could use his testimonial to appeal to ethos and pathos. Showing a real person, their life experiences, and their drive can make the reporter more believable while impacting the audience emotionally. The reporter also appeals to logos, using statistics like “students who participate in the program perform better than the state average on math and English tests...100% of participants graduate high school...75% of participants go to college or trade school, the rest straight to a job.” These facts show the importance of the program, and the impact it has on students, their careers, and the economy.
The argument is strong, because it is backed by testimonials and facts. It is constructed starting with an idea for change, followed by proven results, and ended with an inspirational quote: “Always leave the world better than you found it.” Which speaks to the man who started it all, his school, and the lives of the children he has helped.
Post 3: Deadly epidemic spurs research into the lives of bats.
The reporter has a concerned tone throughout, acknowledging the rising epidemic and the effects it has on bats and their ecosystems. She uses loaded diction such as racing and mysteriously to convey an elevated or urgent feeling.
She cites research institutions, which builds her credibility. The researcher explains the symptoms of the disease, and through pictures appeals to ethos by building the credibility of himself as a researcher and the report for accessing the valid information. Videos are shown depicting dead bats and sick bats in mass qualities, which creates a sad feeling within the audience, appealing to pathos.
The argument immediately begins with an urgent issue displayed through facts. It is built with interviews from governmental wildlife workers, photo and video evidence,and guest ecologists and researchers. This creates a very strong argument.
She cites research institutions, which builds her credibility. The researcher explains the symptoms of the disease, and through pictures appeals to ethos by building the credibility of himself as a researcher and the report for accessing the valid information. Videos are shown depicting dead bats and sick bats in mass qualities, which creates a sad feeling within the audience, appealing to pathos.
The argument immediately begins with an urgent issue displayed through facts. It is built with interviews from governmental wildlife workers, photo and video evidence,and guest ecologists and researchers. This creates a very strong argument.
Post 2: Saying farewell to Ringling Bros. Circus.
The reporter seems to have no evident bias, and this is displayed through regular speech, even tone, and lack of inflection/loaded words. The use of evidence throughout, though, shows much bias, seeing as though all of the evidence used only supports one part of the argument, and there is far less available for the other.
The reporter appeals to pathos through the testimonials of families sad to see the circus go. The families explain why they are upset, and this allows the audience to slip into the shoes of an adult who can no longer experience their happiest childhood memory. This would sway the audience to the side of the argument against the circus shutting down. Animal Rights lawsuits are mentioned only twice throughout the video, which would show bias, in favor of keeping the circus despite its mistreatment of animals.
The reporter acknowledges both sides of the argument referencing families along with scientific facts, creating a dull argument. The audience can have the decision of which side of the argument to pick, even though emotions back one side and science and morals back the other.
The reporter appeals to pathos through the testimonials of families sad to see the circus go. The families explain why they are upset, and this allows the audience to slip into the shoes of an adult who can no longer experience their happiest childhood memory. This would sway the audience to the side of the argument against the circus shutting down. Animal Rights lawsuits are mentioned only twice throughout the video, which would show bias, in favor of keeping the circus despite its mistreatment of animals.
The reporter acknowledges both sides of the argument referencing families along with scientific facts, creating a dull argument. The audience can have the decision of which side of the argument to pick, even though emotions back one side and science and morals back the other.
Post 1: The best way to teach your little kids about money.
The reporter begins the story with a smile on her face, and as she passes the rest of the report to her colleague, she uses no loaded diction, and keeps a steady tone.
By showing video clips of small children, the report appeals to ethos. It builds the credibility of the report by showing the headline in action. Videos of the children learning about key concepts are shown, concepts like value, exchange, self-control, and making choices. He also appeals to ethos and builds his credibility by citing multiple scientific tests.
The argument is constructed beginning with a claim, scientific evidence, and hope for the future. By citing as many sources as it did, and using a group of 5 children throughout the video in various circumstances, the argument is made believable and strong.
By showing video clips of small children, the report appeals to ethos. It builds the credibility of the report by showing the headline in action. Videos of the children learning about key concepts are shown, concepts like value, exchange, self-control, and making choices. He also appeals to ethos and builds his credibility by citing multiple scientific tests.
The argument is constructed beginning with a claim, scientific evidence, and hope for the future. By citing as many sources as it did, and using a group of 5 children throughout the video in various circumstances, the argument is made believable and strong.