Editing Media bias (section)

=== Giving time to both sides ===
A technique used to avoid bias is the "point/counterpoint" or "[[Round table (discussion)|round table]]", an adversarial format in which representatives of opposing views comment on an issue. This approach theoretically allows diverse views to appear in the media. However, the person organizing the report still has the responsibility to choose reporters or journalists that represent a diverse or balanced set of opinions, to ask them non-prejudicial questions, and to edit or arbitrate their comments fairly. When done carelessly, a point/counterpoint can be as unfair as a simple biased report, by suggesting that the "losing" side lost on its merits. Besides these challenges, exposing news consumers to differing viewpoints seems to be beneficial for a balanced understanding and more critical assessment of current events and latent topics.<ref name="Hamborg2021a" /> Using this format can also lead to accusations that the reporter has created a misleading appearance that viewpoints have equal validity (sometimes called "[[false balance]]"). This may happen when a [[taboo]] exists around one of the viewpoints, or when one of the representatives habitually makes claims that are easily shown to be inaccurate.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}

The [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]] and [[Ici Radio-Canada Télé|Radio Canada]], its [[French language]] counterpart, are governed by the 1991 Broadcasting Act, which states programming should be "varied and comprehensive, providing balance of information...provide a reasonable opportunity for the public to be exposed to the expression of differing views on matters of public concern."<ref>{{cite web |title=Broadcasting Act, 1991 |url=http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/LEGAL/BROAD.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060417204844/http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/LEGAL/BROAD.htm |archive-date=2006-04-17 |website=crtc.gc.ca |publisher=[[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission]]}}</ref>