People Who Read People: A Behavior and Psychology Podcast How does bias in news amplify political polarization?, with Vanessa Otero
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Oct 29, 2023 In this insightful discussion, Vanessa Otero, creator of the Media Bias Chart and founder of Ad Fontes Media, shares her expertise on media bias and its link to political polarization. She explains her team’s rigorous methods to assess media reliability and the challenges of defining bias in today's climate. Vanessa also highlights how misinformation is perceived as liberal-leaning and addresses the need for empathetic dialogue amid rising political tensions. Ultimately, they explore how reducing bias could lead to a more understanding society.
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Language Reveals Hidden Biases
- Vanessa Otero notices she uses the word “expert” more for those she agrees with politically.
- This unconscious language bias highlights how even careful communicators can inadvertently reveal personal leanings.
Anchoring Bias To Current Politics
- Left-right labels shift over time, so Ad Fontes anchors bias ratings to current U.S. elected officials' positions.
- This method accounts for political turbulence and evolving issue stances like impeachment or immigration.
Polarization Infects All Topics
- Americans excel at polarizing nearly everything, even science-based topics like epidemics.
- COVID became polarized quickly once it affected the U.S., illustrating rapid media polarization dynamics.
