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Metaphors & SoundbitesSkepticism & CredibilityWho to Believe?Media 'balance' = (a truth + a lie) ÷ 2
Metaphors & SoundbitesSkepticism & CredibilityWho to Believe?Media 'balance' = (a truth + a lie) ÷ 2Media 'balance' = (a truth + a lie) ÷ 2 Featured
The formula for false media balance is: Add one truth plus one lie, then divide by two.
Variation: Accuracy is not achieved by "adding a lie to the truth and dividing by two."
notes: See related bite "Truth is not half-way between science and myth"
notes: See related bite "Truth is not half-way between science and myth"
The phenomena of media "Balance as Bias" has been thoroughly documented by Max & Jules Boykoff, and others.
source: Inspired by Stephan Lewandowsky in his review of Michael Mann's recent book, The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars on Amazon.com. Variation quotes Lewandowsky.
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byBrian Ettling
February 3, 2012
If it was truly balanced story by the media on the scientific perspective of climate change, there would be 19 scientists to one closed minded skeptic. Or, as I heard Dan Satterfield say at AGU last December, "If I am doing a 20 minute TV news story on climate change, I allow the skeptic/denier only one minute to make their case." Thank you, Dan! Now that is what I call "balanced" reporting.