We all have a bias.
This is because we all function by a particular set of beliefs and expectations about the world—in other words, a worldview—that keeps us from being completely neutral on the judgements that we make.
While having a bias is typically considered negative, the danger is not in actually having a bias; the danger is in not acknowledging the bias.
It’s no secret that our mainstream media has many biases (unless you’re Stephen Colbert, who’s oblivion was recently on full display when his late night audience laughed at his serious claim that CNN “objectively reports the news”). One need look no further than the TIME Magazine Vault and view the past covers to know what the dominating narrative has been on our nation’s key events and issues over the years.
Praxis Circle Contributor Ross Mackenzie, former editor and syndicated journalist, shares in the clip above how news reporting changed the moment Donald Trump entered the political arena almost ten years ago. Gone were the days of “objective” facts to make way for “advocacy driven readership.” The mainstream media’s agenda became very clear: Get Trump Out.
Below is a collection of TIME covers on Trump during his first campaign and presidency, 2015-2020 (only one cover is from before that timeframe). Markedly, notice the cover that calls him a “bully, showman, party crasher, and demagogue” and repeated imagery of red meltdowns, stormy drownings, narcissism, and more. Out of 35 covers, perhaps only a handful could be interpreted as even remotely neutral.
In contrast, during Biden’s campaign and presidency from 2019-2024, there are only eight covers that feature him, three of which also include VP Kamala Harris. Note the first “negative” cover for Biden is actually an indictment on Trump (January 6), and it is not until 2022 when Biden’s approval ratings begin to seriously tank that we see him again. We know Biden and his campaign are really “stuck” when he appears again in 2024, and finally when Harris appears to be “walking” into position as the replacement Democrat nominee a few months later. (It should also be noted that during this timeframe, Trump earned an additional 13 covers, none of which are praiseworthy.)
While Biden certainly was not painted in a positive light towards the latter half of his presidency, the bias is obvious—the sheer amount of “cover” time alone speaks volumes. Any American can acknowledge that there were many Biden “gaffes” (at best) that could have made the featured headline—but it was only when it was in the Democratic Party’s best interest that we see the mainstream media begin to openly “eat their own.”
This brings us to two recent covers of Trump and Harris as we careen towards Election Day. Notice Trump’s image is in black and white giving a harsh contrast, his scowl, and the ominous title “If He Wins” versus Harris’ hopeful demeanor, painted like a historical portrait, the rallying signs behind her, and the inspirational title “Her Moment.” It doesn’t take an art critic to see what’s going on here.
I do this quick media analysis not to make a political statement but to remind us that bias is everywhere and in everyone. Even before the “Trump era” of media, each reporter and outlet had their own set of views. Contributor Abigail Shrier who says she keeps her worldview out of journalism in order to report the truth is biased towards just that—the truth. At Praxis Circle, we too are biased towards the truth, reality, rationality, and other Judeo-Christian principles. We value these things over nonsensical ones and choose to highlight what we believe can give us the best insight into the reality of the world around us. We think it is a good bias but understand that not everyone believes the same.
Sometimes our bias is subtle, while other times it is as obvious as the cover on a magazine. Recognizing our own bias takes introspection, self-awareness, and true critical thinking skills, but it is the only way to have an honest and productive conversation with another person, particularly if that person does not share our own set of assumptions or beliefs. Take the time to learn their own perspective, desires, and biases, which then can serve as a launching pad for truly persuasive ideas.
This is how we navigate the human tendency to gravitate towards what we know, love, and respect versus our tendency to reject that which we do not understand, hate, or hold in contempt—by understanding we are all driven by these passions, and that no ground is truly neutral, even when we claim so. In a world saturated with bias, the true challenge lies not in eliminating our perspectives, but in acknowledging them, allowing for deeper understanding and more meaningful dialogue across divides.
