In addition to using images and quotes out of context (the fallacy of accident), the news media can inadvertently manipulate viewers' perceptions through the use of descriptive language. In the news coverage after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, several readers complained that the captions for the two pictures shown here of people wading through the floodwaters carrying goods from a store showed racial bias.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Discuss how, if at all, the two photo captions show racial bias. 2. Bring in examples of photos with captions from magazines and newspapers. Discuss whether the captions are written in a biased fashion. If they are, explain why they are biased and rewrite them using neutral language.