What It Is
Source bias occurs when journalists consistently rely on sources that support a particular viewpoint while underrepresenting or ignoring sources with different perspectives. The selection of who gets quoted shapes the story’s conclusions.
How It Works
Every story requires sources—experts, officials, witnesses, stakeholders. Source bias happens when the range of sources systematically favors one perspective, often without the audience realizing the imbalance.
Real-World Example
Story about a new trade policy:
- Business-source-biased coverage: Quotes CEOs, business associations, and economists from business-funded think tanks. Workers and labor unions mentioned only briefly or not at all.
- Labor-source-biased coverage: Quotes union leaders, workers, and labor economists. Business perspectives presented primarily through critical framing.
The facts may be the same, but different source selection produces different narratives.
How to Spot It
- Count the sources - Who gets quoted, and how often?
- Check affiliations - Are “independent” experts actually affiliated with interested parties?
- Look for missing voices - Who isn’t being quoted who has a stake in this issue?
- Note the framing of sources - Are some sources introduced with credibility markers and others without?
- Follow the funding - Who funds the think tanks and experts being quoted?
Why It Matters
Source selection is one of the most powerful editorial choices. By choosing who speaks in a story, journalists determine whose perspective frames the issue—even if they never express their own opinion.
Related Bias Types
- False Balance - Equal weight to unequal positions
- Stereotyping - Group assumptions applied to individuals
- Demographic Bias - Under/over-representing groups