On September 25, 2017, the Monday morning quarterbacking wasn’t about who won the NFL games but instead, who knelt down during the national anthem. This story was reported in all three of my chosen news outlets. The reporting of this story is a typical example of how each view political issues.
Buzzfeed used visual literacy as their approach by beginning with one unappealing photo of President Trump, followed by sixteen photos of players, kneeling and locking arms in protest. (Appendix 1) The photos all contain different visual techniques that set the mood of solemn and sober. At the end of the article, Buzzfeed submits the reader’s reaction in a blog fashion. This public discussion was heated and angry in support of the player’s protest. Some comments were: “ Forced into expressions of patriotism, everyone needs to know this, isn't about patriotism”, and “What is more American than using your constitutional rights, widespread unity and compassion, warrantless attacks by fellow Americans.” After reading this article, you would never imagine that there was any opposing view out there from the fans. This outlet failed in presenting unbiased reporting.
By 12:00 p.m, this story was in the middle of the page and it was gone by 5:00. The “trending” stories were then about TV shows and Kris Jenner. The positioning, disappearing and viewpoint correlate with Buzzfeed’s audience, ranging from age 18 to 24, also known as “The Generation Y,” who are not interested in politics. Most of BuzzFeed’s reader’s social interactions are done through social media platforms and gravitate to quick hits of sensational news and gossip. Buzzfeed is not interested in critical thinking or historical perspective.
Fueled by Trump’s Tweets, Anthem Protests Grow to a Nationwide Rebuke was on the front page of the NY Times. ( Appendix 4) This outlet took an even stronger stand in blaming President Trump for the players actions. The article included photos of the empty field and the Redskins players kneeling. (Appendix 2) They interviewed a male saying that he was a republican but against Trump, then the article continued on an anti-Trump campaign. The NY Times article also quoted owners and others influential people, all expressing their disagreement with President Trump. Most of the public discourse were males and anti-Trump activists. The NY Times was presented a bias view, like Buzzfeed. Yet, it did included a photo of Tom Brady standing. (Appendix 2) Most of the other stories granted front page status were political in nature or human interest like the earthquake in Mexico with interviews, quotes and photos (Appendix 3) that made the turmoil more real.
The New York Times has a country and worldwide urban audience, 56% are men, and 56% college degree. The average age is 47 years old. It has been accused for trending to the left. Therefore, they emphasise a politically charged story that disparages the President .
The Economist began their article with a history of Colin Kaepernick, the first one to kneel last year, and how he has been unofficially blackballed from the NFL. Unlike the other outlets, The Economist includes a recap of President Trump’s remarks and how the crowd roared with approval. They included his entire quote, which the other outlets took out of context. This article was not on the front cover of the magazine, which was a Panda referencing China. The articles were not as graphically appealing as Buzzfeed’s nor did it contain the dramatic style of writing like the New York Times; it is straightforward reporting of facts. The Economist has privileged demographics, nearly two out of every three readers earn more than $100,000 a year. The magazine solicits the elitist, such as people in senior positions and critical thinkers. They are not influenced by photos or left slanted propaganda. The readers have a global appeal and economic interest.
The NY Times and Buzzfeed both took similar biases in reporting their stories; they both portrayed the NFL players kneeling as an anti-Trump event. It was only The Economist who reported the actual circumstance. Buzzfeed uses a visual literacy approach with no text except captions. The NY Times had photos that included a Veteran holding a flag, and a player saluting the flag and unlike Buzzfeed , the NY Times included a lengthy article. The Economist was the only outlet that reported on the fans disapproval. The bias of the other two outlets implied this was not controversial and the public discussion was in agreement with players.
None of the outlets implicated how this story would affect the general public, especially the veterans, or the disappointment and disgust from the fans or more importantly their advertisers. Buzzfeed and the New York Times both had a left slant to their reporting, and The Economist covers both sides of the story and did not place it front and center. The Economist , gives a better perspective of what is important globally. We need more outlets giving both sides of every story and not to let their political slant effect they way they report an event.