An academic research examined the degree of objectivity and the nature of the Israeli media coverage * The conclusions did not surprise: a permanent tilt in favor of the Left
Leftist media. What we knew to this day and for years, scientific research now proves.
Academic research of Dr. Abby Gore, who examined the nature of the Israeli media coverage, found that there is media bias in favor of a steady and consistent political left in Israel.
The study examined the behavior and function of the Israeli media during the Oslo peace process (between 1994-2004), and tried to answer the question whether there is bias in the Israeli media.
From the Israeli public are heard, as we know, many complaints about media bias in favor of the Left. The perception is that the bias stems from the fact that most media have a left-wing tendency. However, the media themselves claim to be objective and professional, and do not tend to favor any party in the political controversy.
The contribution of the study is that it is the first quantitative study that tried to test if there is bias in the media using research tools. Dr. Gore has created new methodological tools that allow quantitative determination that allow to rate the bias and its scope.
Dr. Gore defined the concept of bias as a preference of an approach or political personality, and/or a specific ideology and / or in a journalistic coverage and interpretation. "According to him, this preference creates imbalance can be referred to with the term" standard deviation "; the standard specified is the "Journalism Code of Ethics ".
The media that were examined during the study included Channel 1 and Channel 2, Kol Israel, Army Radio, Yediot Aharonot and Maariv ; all are considered part of mainstream Israeli media.
The main hypothesis is: there is political / ideological bias in the Israeli media slanted to the Israeli left outlook. The findings also confirmed by statistical analysis. The results indicate that in the media of "mainstream" in Israel, who pretends to be objective and balanced, there is a steady and consistent bias in favor of the left, changing over time only in scope and intensity.
Leftism in Percentages
Intermediate: leftist percentage
The study results indicated that during the governments of Rabin - Peres (May 1994 to May 1996), the weighted bias of six media for the subjects was leftist - 47%. Even in a time of right-wing government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu (May 1996 to May 1999) there was a bias in favor of the Left of 40%. However, a third period - the Government of Ehud Barak (June 1999 to February 2001) – was found in the study to be 89%.biased in favor of left-wing
In addition, the study examined the bias in the various media and found the following data: News - 76.4%, Network B of the Voice of Israel - 75%, TV channel 2 - 70%, TV channel 1 - 55%, Galei Tzahal- 43.5%, Ma'ariv - 30%.
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