Media Bias Alert: ‘Joyful’ or ‘Radical’ Kamala Harris?

Does Kamala Harris’ campaign embody joy, or radicalism? It may depend on where you get your news.

On the left side of the media, the Harris campaign has often been described as promoting “joy” and “joyfulness,” reflecting her campaign's use of the word, to the point of notable uniformity:

The right side of the media has also been uniform in its framing of Harris – but as a “radical” candidate, not a “joyful” one:

The context differs slightly between some examples, such as Daily Caller (Right bias) using the word as part of a quote. But whether it's part of a quote or the outlet's own words, highlighting it in a headline is an editorial choice.

Headlines never give the full picture, but in this case, are a great indicator of how subjective narratives can dominate the news ecosystem. To avoid media manipulation, be sure to seek out multiple perspectives on Harris, Donald Trump, or whomever else of the 1,400+ presidential candidates you’re supporting this fall.

Henry A. Brechter is the Editor-in-chief of AllSides. He has a Center bias.

Graphics created by Julie Mastrine, Director of Marketing and Bias Ratings (Lean Right).