Media bias does exist and here’s why it matters

CHEERS TO Christian Esguerra for providing an effective framework for understanding the media, promoting media literacy in the process. In a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Esguerra discussed media bias and how it actually functions in journalism. More than merely educating audiences on the technicalities of the term, it served as a starting point for the crucial dialogue on how public discourse can be repaired. 

What’s the Story?

In the first episode of Esguerra’s new series “Alam na This!” posted on July 26, the journalist and journalism professor took to social media to orient viewers on media bias as a basic and “not necessarily bad” aspect of journalism. He explained in easy terms what media bias is, how it figures into a journalist’s story, and how it can be good or bad, depending on the journalist. 

Using a news story as an example, Esguerra elaborated that even the sequencing of words in a headline is a function of bias, since it leaves it up to the journalist to decide which piece of information deserves emphasis over the others. Continuing with the example, he outlined how the omission of some facts and context in a developing story can also be a function of bias. In the example, the journalist’s follow-up report downplayed newly uncovered and incriminatory information to protect a political patron — a clear conflict of interest.

Esguerra emphasized that media have and should have biases: “for the truth” and “the oppressed.” He debunked the myth of objective reporting, stressing that false objectivity, or refusing to take the side of truth and the oppressed while insisting on presenting just the facts, only protects the oppressor. 

What the Episode Got Right

The brief discussion lasted just under seven minutes, ideal for holding attention without overwhelming viewers with length and jargon. The use of realistic examples and accessible language (mostly Filipino with some terms retained in English) helped balance and communicate technical parts. The tone of the video leaned toward educational, but it still carried a simple, essential message. Visually, it also kept the audience engaged with stylized graphics that helped illustrate points and text that guided the narrative. Esguerra’s call to action was easy and actionable, asking viewers to first check their own and others’ biases when engaging in political discourse, especially online. 

Why Is this Important?

The video established that the now commonplace accusation of “bias” in media only reflects the fractured and polarized state of public discourse. It showed how media literacy can enable more critical and less malicious political exchange. In 2014, CMFR described media literacy as “a long-term solution to the many problems and issues that afflict the Philippine media,” since a media literate citizenry can hold media to account and demand that they adhere to professional standards. 

Filipinos have seen firsthand what being accused of “bias” can mean, even for major players in the broadcast industry. In 2020, the public witnessed the forced shut down of ABS-CBN’s free television operations after Congress denied the renewal of its franchise. With Philippine politics still polarized and Philippine media still facing several threats, the importance of efforts to promote media literacy and provide starting points for meaningful discussion cannot be overstated.