A Fair and Impartial Presentation: Exploring Objectivity in Graphics

E-Page 42
 Analyze 
Use the basic features.

At first glance, the global warming graphic seems made for a fair and impartial presentation of both sides of the issue. Each side is given equal space to address each point of disagreement. Also, the designer appears not to have taken a position on the issue or to have judged either side’s arguments.

ANALYZE & WRITE

Write one or two paragraphs analyzing the attempt to present information in a fair and impartial way in “The Global Warming Skeptics vs. the Scientific Consensus”:

Printed Page 2043
  1. Reread a few points of disagreement, looking at the arguments made on each side. Do you think that each point raised on the left side of the graphic is fully and fairly addressed on the right side?
  2. Do the charts and other visuals in the center of the graphic contribute to a sense of objectivity, or do they ever seem to favor one side over the other?
  3. Does giving the “scientific consensus” side of the debate the last word (that is, a rebuttal stance) on each point interfere with the impartiality of the graphic? Why or why not?
  4. In notes accompanying the graphic, McCandless writes, “I deliberately chose not speak directly to any climate experts or leading scientists in the field. I used only publicly available Web sources. Why? Because I wanted to simulate what it’s like for people trying to learn about climate change online.” What effect, if any, do you think that this strategy had on the impartiality of the information he presented in the graphic?

    Question