Introduction and the Context
T.V. channels and news texts abound with rhetorical devices that can subtly influence the formation of public sentiment. These techniques construct the perception and subsequently the opinion of readers and listeners about specific events. The news channels’ texts differ significantly in the rhetoric and focus of the discussions. However, they are reacting to the same events in the U.S. For the past two years, the media space has been shaking with news of the COVID-19 pandemic and the vaccination. The information selected for the essay was January 31, 2021, a tense period in recent U.S. history when, along with COVID-19, political divisions became especially visible, which affected the reporting of news.
Political News
Political news on all three channels takes up considerable screen time. It is also noticeable that vaccination has become a political weapon in the battle between Democrats and Republicans (Simonov et al. 234-35). The attack on the Capitol is widely discussed, especially with Fox News, which subsequently organized a large-scale Committee on January 6th. Fox News uses phrases “Capitol riots” or “protests at the Capitol,” while MSNBC and CNN use the word “attack on Capitol” (Pergram). Fox News is more likely to refer to Donald Trump by his last name, while MSNBC and CNN use the term “former president” in part.
MSNBC focused that day on Joseph Biden’s plan and invited minority video speakers to present his programs. These programs promised protection to transgender people and other LGBTQ+ people (Collins). The MSNBC agenda in this respect echoes the environmental theme: on January 31st, 2021, they announced that General Motors plans to be carbon neutral in the coming decades. CNN’s journalists were trying to separate the political agenda from the pandemic, which allowed them to keep their coverage of the event sober.
Similarities and Differences
The coverage of COVID-19 and vaccination (this problem was more relevant then, apparently) differs from channel to channel. MSNBC generally avoided talking directly about COVID-19 on January 31, 2021. The most striking news about the pandemic concerned the impeachment of Donald Trump and his failed policies to prevent the virus (MSNBC.com 01:15–02:21). Notorious among liberals and Democrats as COVID-19-dissidents and neglecters, Fox News frequently covers the COVID-19 issue.
However, they avoid the standard abbreviation, which had long been officially approved. Fox News journalists prefer to use the word “coronavirus,” and as of January 31, 2021, they continue to force the topic of Wuhan and Chinese laboratories. Fox News, at that time, was the only conductor of the idea that vaccination was not mandatory for teenagers. In addition, they covered the hardships of life in quarantine and used a well-known trick that brings people to pity, namely the suffering of children. Journalists manipulate the ideological phenomenon of children’s tears, naming the texts “John Stamos issues coronavirus rant about his son crying due to his 3rd work-related quarantine” (Moore). At this time, CNN concentrates on types of vaccines and their comparison (Hanna and Holcombe). However, all TV channels are trying to manipulate the topic of vaccination and COVID-19, but they do it to different degrees and in different ways; they focus on different segments of the U.S. population. Parties try to blame each other for spreading COVID-19 and for inaction.
Relevant Information
The studied literature helps to analyze the rhetorical structures of journalistic texts. In particular, in the example of Fox News, people can see how some manipulations try to bring viewers and readers to pity and emotions. The parties try to blame each other for various political failures, but this usually does not go beyond direct accusations or insults. Journalists usually share hints with readers and viewers since it is impossible to present news in a clumsy and intimidating way in the modern media.
The Nature of the Bias
Coverage bias is most characteristic of CNN and MSNBC, while Fox News bias is directly related to journalistic commentary and judgment. It is because of this that Fox News is quickly attacked and criticized. The unfair coverage of CNN and MSNBC events is due to the selective actions of journalists (Hossain et al. 5-6). Some events are labeled as significant, and some are not. However, it is common for readers to infer their priorities for news consumption.
The Rationale of Using Bias
The rationale for bias is well developed for most TV channels, and the ones under review are no exception. Fox News justifies its prejudice with the fight for freedom of speech (liberal ideology and multiculturalism do not allow indigenous people and champions of traditional values to speak out). Rhetorically, this is evident in “phrases such as “the folks”, “the heartland”, and “blue-collar Americans”; they have come to signify the conservative segment of the national news audience automatically and exclusive” (Peck 29). They supported the country’s economic development, and most of their reproaches towards the Democrats were economic. Thus, the published text on COVID-19, which was supposed to criticize Joseph Biden, spoke explicitly about the pandemic’s financial costs, not about lost lives (Zhao et al. 8-9). MSNBC support freedom of speech; on the other hand, they stand for freedom for minorities. MSNBC shows an environmental orientation and interest in geopolitical and political issues. CNN does not try to justify itself as vehemently as Fox News does since, in all news, it plays the role of a spokesman for the government, a confidant in journalism.
Bias Value for the Viewer
For consumers of news content, the order in which information is presented and bias in this area is significant. Sometimes, in this regard, a personal statement of a journalist will be fair, which can be challenged or not taken seriously. By absorbing information in the ‘correct’ order, the reader remembers and forgets what is beneficial to the ruling elites and certain journalists to a certain extent.
The Chinese media use this maneuver often; here, people are talking about professional, strict, and sophisticated censorship. They complete it, giving the Chinese the impression that the events of their province or city are more significant than the warring state on the border with China (Jones). The amount and intensity of the reporting shape people’s perception in such a way that it seems to them that, at the moment, other people are only disturbed by what they have just read.
Overall Assessment
Journalists strive to provide information to their target audience, which sometimes expects a specific presentation from them due to their interests, likes, and dislikes. Anti-vaxxers want to read the news that vaccines are unnecessary or even harmful, and people who have been drawn into minority cultures wish for information about freedoms being granted. News portals are representatives of diverse opinions, albeit mutually exclusive at times.
Conclusion and the Usefulness of the Learned Information
The information obtained will be helpful to any conscious member of civil society who knows their rights and opportunities. The political ideologies broadcast in the media are diverse and studying them will allow people to transparently and thoroughly understand the techniques of writing persuasive texts (Borger et al.). Good knowledge of rhetoric will be helpful not only in reading and highlighting the necessary information but also when writing texts, as well as in public speaking.
Works Cited
Borger, Gloria, et al. “Trump Impeachment Defense: Five Attorneys Leave Team Less Than Two Weeks Before Trial – CNNPolitics.”CNN, Web.
Collins, Matt. “New MSNBC President Aims to Distinguish Between Breaking News and Analysis.”MixDex, 2021, Web .
Hanna, Jason, and Madeline Holcombe. “US Coronavirus: Maryland Becomes 2nd State to Report Coronavirus Variant First Identified in South Africa.”CNN, 2021, Web.
Hossain, Aftab, et al. “A Computer-Based Text Analysis of Al Jazeera, BBC, and CNN News Shares on Facebook: Framing Analysis on Covid-19 Issues.” SAGE Open, vol. 12, no. 1, 2022. Crossref.
Jones, Tom. “No, Fox News and MSNBC Are Not the Same Thing.”Poynter, 2021, Web.
Maxouris, Christina, and Holly Yan. “Covid-19 Hospitalizations Drop, but January Has Been the Deadliest Month of the Pandemic. Here’s What to Expect Next.” CNN, Web.
Moore, Cortney. “John Stamos Issues Coronavirus Rant About His Son Crying Due to His 3rd Work-Related Quarantine.”Fox News, Web.
MSNBC.com. “Trump Impeachment Trial, GOP Senators’ COVID Relief Compromise Discussed by Sen. Padilla.” MSNBC.Com, uploaded by MSNBC, Web.
Peck, Reece. Fox Populism: Branding Conservatism as Working Class. Cambridge University Press, 2018.
Pergram, Chad. “Weeks After Capitol Riot, Scars Both Visible and Invisible Remain.” Fox News, Web.
Simonov, Andrey, et al. “Frontiers: The Persuasive Effect of Fox News: Noncompliance with Social Distancing During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Marketing Science, vol. 41, no. 2, 2022, pp. 230–42. Crossref.
Zhao, Erfei, et al. “Media Trust and Infection Mitigating Behaviours During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the USA.” BMJ Global Health, vol. 5, no. 10, 2020, pp. 1-10. Crossref.