CUL493 Assignment 1: Analysis of News Article Bias: Harry & Meghan

This report analyzes two news articles concerning Prince Harry and Meghan's plans regarding Canadian citizenship, comparing articles from the National Post and CBC News. The report identifies instances of bias in each article, focusing on how the media frames the narrative and portrays the royal couple in relation to the Canadian government and its policies. The analysis examines the use of language, selection of information, and the emphasis on specific aspects like security costs and citizenship laws to support the argument that both articles exhibit bias in favor of the Canadian government. The conclusion summarizes the findings, highlighting how these biases might influence public perception of the royal family. The report references the original news articles used for analysis.

Running head: DETECTING BIAS IN NEWS ARTICLES
DETECTING BIAS IN NEWS ARTICLES
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note

1DETECTING BIAS IN NEWS ARTICLES
Introduction
Media has an immense power in influencing people about the political facts and the
cultural guidelines by writing either in their favor or opposing them. This leads to biasness and
most of it occurs when the media attacks any political party or a social ideology. This report
analyses two news articles from the first option, figuring out the biasness in each article.
Discussion
Plans of Prince Harry and Megan regarding Canadian citizenship
News article 1: https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/prince-harry-and-meghan-canadian-
citizenship
Prince Harry is the grandson of Canada’s monarch however he does not enjoy any special
status in the country nor does he have any citizenship of Canada whereas his wife Meghan is a
citizen of United States. From the headlines it is observed that the media highlights the
citizenship acts and state laws rather than favoring the royal family.
The video clip attached with the article shows that Vancouver will be most suitable place
for the royal couple to reside in. It seems like the media are imposing their choice of place on the
minds of the readers rather than mentioning the real choice of the royal couple.
The article states that a meeting has been conducted with Queen Elizabeth II from which
they have gathered information about the immigration plans of the royal couple. From the
interview with Professor Philippe Lagasse, the article mainly highlights the lack of recognition
faced by the royal family in Canada and the immigration process which the couple needs to
follow to gain Canadian citizenship.

2DETECTING BIAS IN NEWS ARTICLES
The language used shows biasness towards the federal government by highlighting the
citizenship laws which the royal family needs to follow. Thus showing positivity towards the
Canadian government whereas negativity for the royal couple.
News article 2: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/bill-morneau-security-costs-harry-meghan-
1.5424988
This article mentions about the citizenship dilemma of Prince Harry and Megan however,
the article majorly highlights the decision of the Prime Minister regarding the security cost
associated with the royal couple while they are in Canada either as a tourist or as Canadian
citizen. Therefore, this article is biased towards the federal government of Canada.
The article includes a video clip and three photographs one showing the royal family, the
second one showing a view of North Saanich on Vancouver where it is being speculated that the
royal couple will spend their Christmas holidays and in the third picture it can be seen that Prince
Harry is in conversation with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The video clip mentions that
Canada is not liable to bear the security cost for the royal couple. It is evident from these
photographs and video that the article emphasizes on the security cost which needs to be borne
by the royal family as indicated by the Prime Minister.
Very little has been spoken about the citizenship laws and the immigration rules which
the couple needs to follow. The editor has conducted an interview with the Queen mentioning
that the couple are on a transition period however the interview generally shifts to the question of
security cost being borne by the royal family not the federal government. The article majorly
highlights the security cost and the amount which the royal family needs to pay to the
government as a security cost.

3DETECTING BIAS IN NEWS ARTICLES
Like the previous article this also speaks negatively about the royal couple whereas the
comments of the federal government and ministers are favored and the language is considered
neutral for the Queen as it can be seen that the queen’s quote remains same in both the articles.

4DETECTING BIAS IN NEWS ARTICLES
Conclusion
Hence, from this analysis it can be concluded that both the articles speak in favor of the
Canadian government rather than the royal family as they does not enjoy any special power not
even the Queen have a Canadian citizenship. This creates a negative perception in the mass
regarding the royal family.
.

5DETECTING BIAS IN NEWS ARTICLES
References
https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/prince-harry-and-meghan-canadian-citizenship
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/bill-morneau-security-costs-harry-meghan-1.5424988