PressEthic

In discussions about bias in the media, a point that comes up frequently is that bias is not only present in the stories that are reported by news sources, but is also implicit in the stories they choose to leave out.

Last year, the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) launched the Ten Stories initiative whereby it compiles an annual list of ten stories it feels are important but haven't received enough play from the mainstream media.

At the launch of the 2005 list, Shashi Tharoor, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, said:

“Our list presents a wide spectrum of matters of concern to many, many people around the world, and we look forward to working with media everywhere to help raise the profile of these stories,”

These stories might not have been left out of the mainstream media because of bias, but it is interesting that organizations are now having to point out issues on which there has been relative silence from the press. Reading through the list, I realize that the stories are all extremely "unsexy" -- is that why they've been overlooked?

Tharoor does absolve journalists of blame, choosing instead to focus on the importance of getting these stories out into public consciousness:

“We know that journalists can’t cover everything,” said Mr. Tharoor, “but we feel that people around the world need to know more about these critical stories.”

Well, I look forward to reading more about curbing illicit drugs through development. I wonder if the profile will truly be raised.