In his book “Bias…A CBS Insider Exposes How The Media Distort the News,”  journalist Bernard Goldberg uses a CBS News 1996 broadcast to make a point about bias.  Below I have posted the exact script from that newscast.  (NOTE: the transcript was taken from a videotape provided to me by the Vanderbilt TV News Archive.)

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Consider this definition of BIAS: a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation
(Source: WordNet ® 1.6, © 1997 Princeton University

 Bias is manifest in texts when authors present particular values as if they were universal. For example, 
bias can be conveyed in the media through the selection of stories, sequence, and slant in newscasts; 
the placement or omission of stories in newspapers; who is interviewed and left out in radio or television 
talk shows and news programs; the advertisements on webpages, television, magazines, radio shows 
targeted at specific audiences; the lyrics of commercial jingles and popular music, and the images 
displayed with them in broadcast commercials and music videos; the goals, procedures, and the 
rules of video games.   Excerpt from: Crossing the Information Highway: The Web of Meanings 
and Bias in Global Media
author: Ladislaus Semali, December 2002, Readingonline.org

As you review the script below, try to identify WORDS or PHRASES that you deem to be “biased.”  
Circle those words. Can you think of other words that could have been used?  
Is the CBS News story on the Forbes’ “flat tax” biased, as charged by journalist Goldberg?


CBS Evening News February 8, 1996

Dan Rather’s on camera lead in: 

House speaker Newt Gingrich weighed in today on the version of the “flat tax” that Steve Forbes is pushing as the key to what Forbes calls “tax reform and economic growth.”  Gingrich said parts of the Forbes proposals are and I quote “nonsense,” and only getting attention because of again quote “the shear weight of advertising.” Now besides the politics, what are the economics of the Forbes’ flat tax proposal? Tonight  a look beyond the promises to the substance of it in a “reality check” by correspondent Eric Engberg…  

 

   

VIDEO                                                     AUDIO


 


 


 

 



 

(Reporter Enberg Voice Over) Steve Forbes pitches his flat tax scheme as an economic elixir good for everything that ails us…..

(Forbes) “ we would see a renaissance the likes of which that has never been seen before..”

Engberg VO: It’s the kind of optimistic message people want to believe. But experts have trouble with many of Forbes’ specific promises, like how the flat tax would boost economic growth….
Forbes SOT: “ By removing obstacles, starting with the tax code, we are capable of growing twice that rate..”
Engberg VO:  TIME OUT
Economists say nothing like that has ever actually happened.

 


William Gale SOT: “ It doesn’t seem plausible to think that we’re going to have a whole new economy or some economic renaissance age due to tax reform..
Engberg VO:  Forbes claims taxes can be lowered without adding to the deficit

 

Forbes SOT: “a flat tax would enable this economy to grow..that would mean more revenues for Washington…”

Engberg VO: That was called “supply side economics” under President Reagan..less taxes, equal more revenue…it didn’t work out that way

reporter: Is it fair to say  that the last time we tried something like this, we ended up with these hideous deficits?
Gale SOT: its perfectly fair to say that Reporter: And that if we try it again, your fear is…
Gale SOT: that we end up with the same problem again…

Engberg VO: Forbes claims the flat tax would throw lobbyists, tax lawyers and accountants out of business….oh yea, ask one…

Donald Alexander SOT: If Mr. Forbes’ proposals were enacted, it would be hog heaven for tax lawyers, absolutely hog heaven.. We would have a wonderful time gaming the system.

Engberg VO: Example: the wealthy could hire tax wizards to turn their regular income into investment income, exempt from the tax


 

 

Janice SOT: I’m sure we’ll dream up new loopholes under the flat tax, we always do

 


Engberg VO: Ok, how about Forbes’ number one wackiest flat tax promise?

Forbes SOT: “parents would have more time to spend with their children and with each other…”

Aleaxander SOT: “That’s right, and the sky would be blue all the time”

 

Engberg (on camera) :The fact is: the flat tax is one giant untested theory. One economist suggested that before we risk putting it in, we outta try it out some place, like maybe Albania..Eric Enberg, CBS News, Washington