The Student Loan Forgiveness Debate

Paragraph I – Mainstream Source (Associated Press)

I decided to focus on the story about the Biden administration resuming student loan forgiveness under income-driven repayment plans. As a Black adult male who returned to school while managing my business and my family, this topic hits close to home. For people like me, education isn’t just about chasing a dream, it’s an investment that often comes with financial pressure, whether at the beginning or the end.

I started with a well-known mainstream source, the Associated Press (AP), because it generally sticks to verifiable sources and factual reporting. AP usually avoids the emotional spin that many news outlets use to attract readers. The article’s tone was professional as it explained who qualifies for forgiveness, how the program works, and why it had been delayed.

The author supported claims with factual data from the Department of Education and statements from officials; the story didn’t rely on opinions or “anonymous sources.” It read like journalism that trusts the reader to draw their own conclusions. I didn’t notice any unfair sentences or far-reaching claims, just a clear, digestible summary meant to inform, not persuade. The purpose seemed simple: to help the public understand what’s changing without telling them how to feel about it.


Paragraph II – Left-Leaning Source (Newsweek)

The next outlet I read was Newsweek’s take, and the difference was immediate. The tone was more emotional and more sympathetic toward borrowers, calling this policy “a long-overdue relief” for millions struggling with school debt.

The article leaned heavily on personalized stories, featuring direct quotes from graduates explaining how their debt kept them from living the American dream, buying homes, saving for retirement, and more. I could empathize with their experiences. I noticed how Newsweek guided readers toward supporting the policy by using certain trigger words like “finally” and “fair,” which are designed to evoke emotion and encourage sympathy for those in debt.

The story had more color and feeling, but it also blurred the line between fact and opinion. The author supported their claims mostly through personal stories instead of statistics. It reminded me that empathy is powerful in journalism, but it can also shape how we define what feels “right” or “wrong.”


Paragraph III – Right-Leaning Source (New York Post)

Next, I turned to the New York Post, which told essentially the same story but from a completely different angle. Its headline focused on the cost to taxpayers and questioned whether this was “responsible policy or political strategy.” These buzzwords already set the tone for what the writer wanted readers to feel, that they were being misled by the current administration and that the money was coming straight out of their pockets, regardless of their income level.

The tone was skeptical, calling the forgiveness plan “a bailout for the educated elite.” I noticed how certain phrases painted borrower, people like me, as if we were taking advantage of the system, almost like criminals. The Post included factual information about who qualifies, but it was surrounded by commentary from conservative voices framing the policy as government overreach.

Reading it, I felt the bias through the word choice. The facts weren’t necessarily wrong, but the arrangement and emphasis shaped the narrative. The article’s purpose seemed to be to challenge the policy’s legitimacy and make readers question whether it was fair, rather than presenting both sides equally.


Paragraph IV – Reflection and Comparison

Looking at all three articles, I realized how the same event can be told three different ways depending on who is writing it. The Associated Press gave me clean facts, no emotion, no politics, which I respect most in journalism. Newsweek invited me to feel the story through compassion, which I also respect because it amplified the voices of everyday people. The New York Post encouraged skepticism, which is valuable because it pushes readers to question intentions.

All three taught me that bias doesn’t always show up through lies, it can be expressed through tone, focus, and framing. From my observation, here’s my personal Media Bias Chart: Newsweek leaning left, AP near the center, and the New York Post to the right.

Personally, I connected most with the AP version because it respects my ability to interpret information on my own. As a Black adult learner and business owner, I’ve learned that how information is delivered can shape how communities like mine perceive fairness, opportunity, and trust. This project reminded me that media literacy isn’t about finding one “right” source, it’s about learning to read between the lines, question motives, and recognize that truth is often shared through perspective.


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