Political Bias

1. Political Bias Write down everything you know about the terms: left-wing right-wing

2. Definitions Left-wing Right-wing Emphasises the role of the individual (every man for himself). Supports conservative and traditional values. Supports lower taxation (if people want healthcare, education, literature etc., they can pay for it). Less government intervention in big business (a successful business is a respectful exercise in individual success). May support a welfare state, but a more basic and ‘stripped down’ version. Big cuts will be made. • Emphasises the role of the community (we’re all in it together). • Supports liberal values, more open to cultural diversity. • Supports higher taxation (ensures that everyone has access to healthcare, education, literature etc.) • More government intervention in big business (to avoid corporate dominance and excessive profiteering). • Supports a robust and healthy welfare state.

3. Put these ideas into the columns of left or right wing. • Cut benefits to save taxpayers’ money. • Expand the NHS • Regulate the banking industry (create rules for them to follow) • Support immigration, seeing ethnic diversity as a positive change • De-regulate the banking industry (making fewer rules / cutting ‘red-tape’) • Ensure equal entitlement to benefits. • Creating strict laws to curb immigration, seeing British jobs and taxpayers’ money at risk • Privatise the NHS

4. Political ideology and crime Left wing Right-wing Criminals are individuals who have made the wrong choices. They should therefore be punished. The harsher the punishment, the bigger the warning to prevent other criminals. • Crime is a symptom of a sick society. Therefore, criminals should be rehabilitated and society improved to prevent further crimes.

5. Political ideology and crime Left wing Right-wing Criminals are individuals who have made the wrong choices. They should therefore be punished. The harsher the punishment, the bigger the warning to prevent other criminals. • Crime is a symptom of a sick society. Therefore, criminals should be rehabilitated and society improved to prevent further crimes. How do you think political bias would affect the representation of the London riots? How would it be

6. Articles Task: • Highlight the key lines in the article and summarise what the reporter is arguing. • Identify what political ideology do they seem to support? Give reasons? • How may political ideology have influenced the reporting of the London riots? What differences may we have found in left and right-wing publications?