bialance (n) : A combination of bias and balance. A media technique which appears to add objectivity to an item but actually allows the creator to twist the result to their preferred outcome.
Technique 1: Ask a person you disagree with to come onto the program to “express their viewpoint” or “set the record straight” then invite either a vociferous opponent or an angry person affected by whatever issue is under discussion.
Technique 2: Ask people on the street for their comments then, irrespective of the proportions expressing a preference for the available options, edit the piece to give the desired impression. This applies a lot to UK political coverage where opinions frequently seem to split evenly two or three ways when the reality seems unlikely to be this simple.
