BIAS IN POLITICAL REPORTING: HOW MEDIA WORKERS' EDUCATION AND POLITICAL AFFILIATIONS SHAPE NEWS COVERAGE

Abstract

Pakistani newspapers are considered as biased. This quantitative study explored that how the individual characteristics and political affiliations result in political bias. Working journalists from largest English newspapers of the country resurveyed to find out that to 
what extent the journalists color their reporting with their own beliefs. Hierarchy of Influences Model of Shoemaker and Reese is used as theoretical framework. Findings of the study revealed that political affiliations of the journalists have strong effects on political 
bias in news stories. Most of the journalists are young and highly educated so they are aware of the importance of objectivity. However, lack of professional education causes more political bias.