One media outlet, RT, published the article M.I.A gives America the middle finger. This article carried out rumors that the female British rapper intentionally flipped off the cameras as a message to America. The article states that M.I.A's actions were sparked after her latest video, Born Free, was banned from the U.S. due to scenes of graphic violence.
RT supported their article with a lot of M.I.A's history. They mention her previous comments as well as events in her past that may have caused her to be bitter toward America. It is no secret that M.I.A is an outspoken woman, but her headstrong nature gives the media an incentive to portray her as "a terrorist." Her original "terrorist" comment was misinterpreted and her 2007 hit single, Paper Planes, was put on blast as a "politically-charged song" after her visa was denied by the U.S. government. These speculations can be linked to various things, but it goes to show that the media has jumped to conclusions rather than facts.
Although it was believed that M.I.A was trying to make a statement to the country, other media outlets published articles that suggested other reasons for her behavior. USA Today's story, Was M.I.A.'s middle finger a pointed comment?, presents the idea that hip-hop performers are expect to be controversial and that she made a scene in order to gain publicity. Paper Planes, gave her noteworthy attention. USA Today wrote that some believe M.I.A planned the gesture because when she did it, she looked straight at the camera. On the other hand, ABC News' article, M.I.A.'s Middle Finger was Caused by 'Adrenaline and Nerves', published that a close source to the rapper said M.I.A. never meant anything by the gesture, which was not planned, but caused by "'adrenaline and nerves.'"
On a side note, the media is also biased by dragging Madonna into the halftime show mishap. USA Today's, Was M.I.A.'s middle finger a pointed comment?, questions Madonna's involvement by pondering the thought that she knew and had approved the gesture. The article even goes as far as questioning if Madonna "put her up to it."
As you can see, the media has its way of portraying events in one favor or another. The bottom line is that facts should be listed within a story and quotes can be included to support that story, but the writer should not show favor themselves. This entire event and the mentioned articles are heavy with media bias.
