Comparing Perspectives
Articles by BBC and CNN regarding the derailment of a train with dangerous chemicals were selected for media bias analysis. Although both articles were published around the same time, their content differs. The BBC discusses the consequences of the disaster for the state’s inhabitants primarily, and only mentions that the senators expressed support and that “Ohio Governor Mike DeWine requested assistance from the federal authorities” (BBC, 2023, para. 30).
On the other hand, the CNN article describes what actions the government has taken to reduce the risk of disaster. In particular, the author discusses “a ramp-up of federal support” and the deployment of federal medical experts to assist citizens (Elamroussi, 2023, para. 1). Thus, the article provides information about one incident from different angles.
Filter Bubble
Each article creates its own filter bubble to attract a relevant audience. It is necessary so that people get the content they are interested in, “based on their interests, location, past searches, click history, and more” (AllSlides, 2023, para. 3). For example, a CNN article is primarily aimed at government-supporting audiences to bolster its position. On the other hand, the BBC article largely overlooks the political aspect of the situation, thereby allowing a larger filter bubble to form, attracting different categories of audiences.
Target Audience
Articles have a similar audience, characterized by an interest in current events. Moreover, the materials are designed for an educated audience that understands the scope of the event but lacks a professional education in the field (Otis College of Art and Design Millard Sheets Library, 2022). Both articles are written in clear language, avoiding technical terms, which makes them more accessible to a wide audience. Moreover, CNN and BBC employ a conversational tone, which helps make the material more accessible to a broad audience and keeps readers engaged until the end of the articles.
References
AllSlides. (2023). Filter Bubbles. AllSlides.
BBC. (2023). Ohio town reflects on chemical train derailment aftermath. BBC.
Elamroussi, A. (2023). Feds are sending medical experts to Ohio toxic train wreck site as residents’ safety concerns simmer. CNN.
Otis College of Art and Design Millard Sheets Library. (2022). How to Determine Audience. Otis College of Art and Design Millard Sheets Library.