Column & commentary: AP Style’s rules for journalism

Perception of neutrality, "Leans Left" in reality

Did you know the bias rating of the current edition of the Associated Press Stylebook is not a “just the facts ma’am” neutrality? AP Style recommendations contribute to our polarized public square with a left-leaning filter. What follows is a reading of the column, commentary with a few tips on how to detect bias (left or right) and a couple of Squirrel!!! trails.

Also look for excerpts from the AP Stylebook 56th edition pasted in below in accordance with the Fair Use Doctrine. According to the AP, the doctrine allows for the publishing portions of a copyrighted work when necessary to make a particular point, with particular favor given to uses for “news reporting, criticism and comment.”

REFERENCE LINKS:

Original column: https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/jun/29/sue-lani-madsen-its-perception-vs-reality-when-it-/

AllSides Media Bias Chart: https://www.allsides.com/blog/allsides-media-bias-chart-version-9-updated-ratings-ap-ijr-time-theblaze-and-more

AP Stylebook: https://store.stylebooks.com/ap-stylebook-56th-edition-print.html (Note: Older editions pre-bais editions may be found on used book sites for those who just want to get their commas, capitalization and punctuation right.)

From the 56th edition of the AP Stylebook: Offered here as examples underlying the “Leans Left” bias rating. Read for yourself and see how many instances of bias you can spot, arguable points laid out as solid facts, phrasing and terminology which supports a single point of view rather than a robust debate. From the Transgender Coverage Topical Guide:

Excerpt from Terminology and red flags:

“Use the term sex assigned at birth instead of biological sex, birth gender, was identified at birth as, born a girl and the like.

The word identify is frequently used to describe how someone views themself and can be useful when writing about issues of identity. But often phrasing like is a woman is more to the point than identifies as a woman.

Avoid terms like biological sex, along with biological male and biological female, which opponents of transgender rights sometimes use to refer to transgender women and transgender men, respectively. They are also redundant because sex is inherently biological.”

Excerpt from Gender transitions and gender-affirming care:

“Transgender medical treatment for youths is increasingly under attack in many states and has been subject to restrictions or outright bans. But it has been available in the United States for more than a decade and is endorsed by major medical associations.

Opponents of youth transgender medical treatment say there's no solid proof of purported benefits, cite widely discredited research and say children shouldn't make life-altering decisions they might regret.

Treatment typically begins with an evaluation for gender dysphoria, or the distress caused when gender identity doesn’t match a person’s assigned sex. If children meet guidelines and are showing signs of puberty, they can begin taking puberty blockers — fully reversible prescription medication that pauses sexual maturation, typically given in injections or skin implants.”