Media Bias

Media bias can often come in inconspicuous forms, in seemingly innocuous articles. We tend to overlook bias when the article portrays things with which we agree and we tend to exaggerate the levels of bias when an article presents information to which we may be opposed. In this Anniston Star article, the writer gives information about the building of a new recreational complex in Oxford. It is not far from the current Oxford Exchange, but the razing of this area to build has, in the past, generated some controversy.

The article mentions none of the controversy directly, and only focuses on the resolution. We only hear that Arnold Taylor, a representative of the remaining Arbeka people who originally lived at the site, is expressing gratitude that the construction workers are handling the relics of his people with great care, but does that make it alright that Oxford is digging there in the first place? It has long been known that the hill behind the Oxford Exchange was a mound built by the Arbeka people, and their buried dead resided at this site.

This article covers none of that controversy, and only lightly touches upon the implications of it. In any case, the article certainly covers how the Oxford officials, proud that they will be able to profit off the land that was once an important and historical cultural archeological site.