Discuss differences in topics, attitude, point of view, tone. Discuss whether/how you can tell whether what the broadcasters are saying is true/factual or opinion/biased. Describe detailed examples from the new broadcasts to support what you say. Connect what you say to the ideas in chapters 5 and 7 about Ethics and News.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Contrasting Topics, Attitudes, and Perspectives in News Broadcasting: Evaluating Truth and Bias
News broadcasting serves as a crucial source of information for the public, shaping perceptions, influencing opinions, and providing insights on current events. However, the differences in topics, attitudes, point of view, and tone across various news outlets can influence how information is presented and received by audiences. Understanding how to discern between factual reporting and biased opinions is essential in navigating the media landscape and upholding ethical standards in news dissemination.
Differences in Topics, Attitudes, and Perspectives
News broadcasters often cover a wide range of topics, from politics and economics to social issues and entertainment. The choice of topics reflects the editorial agenda of the news outlet and can influence the audience’s understanding of current events. Additionally, attitudes and perspectives vary among broadcasters, shaping the tone of reporting and how information is conveyed to viewers. Some broadcasters may adopt a neutral, objective stance, while others express opinions or biases that align with their ideological or political leanings.
Evaluating Truth vs. Bias in News Broadcasting
Determining whether news broadcasters are presenting factual information or biased opinions requires critical thinking and media literacy skills. One way to discern between the two is to analyze the language, tone, and framing of news reports. Factual reporting is characterized by objective language, verifiable sources, and a balanced presentation of multiple viewpoints. In contrast, biased reporting may exhibit emotional language, one-sided arguments, and selective use of information to support a particular narrative.
Examples from News Broadcasts
1. Factual Reporting: A news segment that presents statistical data on unemployment rates, citing official government sources and providing context on economic trends, would be considered factual reporting. The language used is objective, the information is verifiable, and multiple perspectives are included to offer a comprehensive overview of the issue.
2. Biased Opinion: In contrast, a news commentator expressing strong personal opinions on a political candidate without presenting opposing views or factual evidence to support their claims would be an example of biased reporting. The tone may be emotional or inflammatory, and the information presented may lack impartiality or accuracy.
Connection to Ethics in News Reporting
Chapters 5 and 7 on Ethics in News underscore the importance of truthfulness, accuracy, and fairness in journalism. Upholding ethical standards in news reporting requires journalists to verify information, provide context, and present multiple viewpoints to ensure a balanced and objective representation of events. By being transparent about sources, disclosing potential biases, and adhering to professional codes of conduct, journalists can maintain credibility and trust with their audience.
In conclusion, understanding the differences in topics, attitudes, point of view, and tone in news broadcasting is essential for discerning between factual reporting and biased opinions. By applying critical thinking skills and media literacy techniques, individuals can evaluate news content effectively, identify potential biases, and make informed decisions about the information they consume. Upholding ethical principles in news reporting not only promotes transparency and accountability but also fosters a more informed and engaged society where truth and accuracy prevail in media discourse.
References:
– Kovach, B., & Rosenstiel, T. (2014). “The Elements of Journalism: What Newspeople Should Know and the Public Should Expect.” Crown.
– Wardle, C., & Derakhshan, H. (2017). “Fake News. It’s Complicated.” First Draft News.