The Influencing Machine: Brooke Gladstone on the Media

This section addresses the numerous biases that do affect the media. Commercial bias—the “biggest” (62) of the biases—assumes that news needs novelty, “conflict and momentum” (62). Bad news bias preys on the human brain's tendency to "care about anything that remotely threatens us" (62). In a graphic depiction of this bias, gigantic bugs labeled with words like “socialism,” “sexting,” and “anthrax” swarm cartoon Gladstone.

The status quo bias refers to humans' preference for “things to stay the same” (63) and only change with benefits “guaranteed to be huge—and the risks miniscule” (63). Because of this, the media tend to “ignore any position that advocates radical change” (63). Associate professor of journalism Andrew Cline says the status quo bias manifests as a belief that "the system works" (63). The “mainstream media” (63) thus refuse to question “the structure of the political system” (63), or the “American way” (63).

Access bias affects source material. “The price of admission” (64) to the “halls of power” (64) can be steep. By agreeing to use sources who wish to remain anonymous, journalists acquire good quotes but deny their reader context for these quotes.