Around the world members of the media should be allowed to tell their story.  This is freedom of the press; However, this should not be interpreted as telling a story without bias.

Bias comes in many forms.  These can include:

• telling the whole truth/facts ( as you percieve them)
• telling complete untruths, doing this knowingly to meet your objective or agenda
• colouring the truth/facts to support your position.

Personally, I believe every story, every news item has some bias.  It is just part of being human.  It is impossible for us to  relate information without including our own bias to some degree.

Externally Forced Bias

Unfortunately regional, political and religous bias is sometimes controlled external to the reporter and the way the information is shared can be manipulated through consequences.

In these cases where information is misshaped (i.e., propaganda), manufactured or with witheld; then freedom of the press does not exist.

Free Press can still be Biased

News that is not restricted, manipulated or otherwise controlled by third parties can still be presented with regional, political or individual perspectives (reporting bias) and still be considered “free”.

That is, while the story may be free from malicious or nefariuos manipulation by dictorial control freaks; it is still molded by the author.

Like it or not the authors baggage is included, even when it is purportedly “just the facts”.  After all, what is a fact?

(Good news, I will have more thoughts on the definition of a fact in a future post.)