I’ve just published a long
(6,000+ words) article on media bias, “The
Times and General Motors: What Went Wrong?”,
in Cogent Arts &
Humanities, an online journal. Here’s the public interest statement that
Cogent requires authors to submit:
The New York Times’ coverage of
General Motors’ recall of defective ignition switches in over 2.6 million cars
was badly distorted. The reporters ignored the only detailed independent study
of the problem, instead filling the vacuum with stories that reflected their
own preconceptions. These biases are not unique to The Times or the particular story, but can be expected to warp
media coverage of much organizational decision-making, especially where complex
technical issues are involved.
—Howard
