Misleading Data in Media

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Image result for fox news unemployment rate under obama graph
Image from  Fox News Channel
Image found at: https://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2012/01/06/baby-steps-fox-airs-unemployment-chart-that-isn/185905

In this graph, Fox News attempts to display the unemployment rates in America under the presidency of Barack Obama. The graph does not look too problematic at first glance, but issues arise as one takes a closer look. The lines on the y-axis are somewhat confusing in showing what percent goes with which line exactly. Then, the 8.6% for November is almost at the same level as 9.0%. There is a drastic change between 8.8% and 8.6% . Also, the graph shows that 8.6 is greater than 8.8, which is not accurate and inconsistent. 

They are misleading people into thinking that Obama had higher and constant unemployment rates, so the scale and lines are confusing. Percents on the graph do not line up correctly with the y axis numbers as well. I believe the scale needs to be more spread out and there could be more numbers in between. There should be more marks on the y-axis that line up exactly to be more accurate and easier to follow. The biggest issue with the graph is the numbers not lining up by a long shot, 8.6% should not be above 8.9% and at the same line as 9.0%. 




Comments

  1. SherryNikOctober 14, 2018 at 9:36 AM

    Julie, I am totally agree with you about what makes this graph so misleading. Rob, also came across the same graph and had similar reasons for it to not be a good visualization of the data. He also included another graph for this data. I am sure you will enjoy reading his blog and looking at his graph.

    ReplyDelete

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