Introduction

In November 2021, TCJE released Part I of our series on media bias in Harris County. It analyzed 226 news articles run by six Houston-area television stations – KHOU, KPRC, KRIV, KTMD, KTRK, and KXLN – between January 2015 and June 2021. The results of our investigation were shocking. We found that a large proportion of local stories have a negative slant on bond reform and/or intentionally conflate the positive changes happening in the misdemeanor bond system with the larger, vaguer concept of “bond reform.” Further, most of these stories can be traced to one of a small number of sources with a vested interest in a negative perception of bond reform.

You can read the full text of Part I in PDF form here.

Explore below to evaluate specific outlets and quoted sources, read examples of articles that show the local news media’s malpractice, and find recommendations and other resources.

Station Reports

TCJE analyzed 226 news articles run by six Houston-area television stations between January 2015 and June 2021. While the primary focus of our analysis was bias against bond reform, we also reviewed 15 other key variables, such as referenced ‘experts’ and the defendant’s race or ethnicity. Our analysis reveals that many local media stations disproportionately publish biased articles in their reporting on bond.

KPRC (NBC)

48% negatively biased coverage

51% of defendant articles featured Black defendants

30% of covered defendants allegedly involved in homicide

KTRK (ABC)

51% negatively biased coverage

50% of defendant articles featured Black defendants

67% of covered defendants allegedly involved in homicide

KHOU (CBS)

62% negatively biased coverage

59% of defendant articles featured Black defendants

77% of covered defendants allegedly involved in homicide

KRIV (FOX)

85% negatively biased coverage

55% of defendant articles featured Black defendants

70% of covered defendants allegedly involved in homicide

KXLN (Univision)

8% negatively biased coverage

8% of defendant articles featured
Black defendants

42% of covered defendants allegedly involved in homicide

KTMD (Telemundo)

25% negatively biased coverage

50% of defendant articles featured Black defendants

50% of covered defendants allegedly involved in homicide

Case Studies

We selected several articles from our sample as case studies that exemplify the reporting issues highlighted in our report.

For example, one quote from a high-profile opponent of bail reform is misleading:

“The revolving door at courthouse is playing a significant, major role in the increased crime rates."

Texas CJE commentary: Despite opponents' efforts to link Houston's 2020 "crime wave" to bail reform, empirical evidence demonstrates that releasing people pretrial does not harm public safety. In reviewing data from several jurisdictions that implemented bail reform, The Prison Policy Initiative found that the vast majority of jurisdictions saw decreases or negligible increases in crime after implementing reforms.

Read the case studies here.

Most Quoted Officials

Though many factors contribute to the imbalance in coverage of bond, the use and selection of ‘expert’ references is particularly revealing. The most commonly quoted sources in bond articles are individuals and groups that have a stake in the criminal legal process against defendants; these references often explicitly voice opposition towards bond reform. 

Kim Ogg, Harris County District Attorney: referenced in 14 articles (6% of sample), 71% of articles negatively biased

Art Acevedo, Former Houston Police Chief: referenced in 35 articles (15% of sample), 77% of articles negatively biased

Crime Stoppers: referenced in 76 articles (34% of sample), 99% of articles negatively biased

Harris County District Attorney's Office: referenced in 55 articles (24% of sample), 60% of articles negatively biased

Law Enforcement: referenced in 141 articles (62% of sample), 52% of articles negatively biased

Recommendations

Academics and journalists have recognized the media’s complicity in the racism and harm of the criminal legal system, highlighting their role in promoting a narrative of crime that legitimizes the police and promotes maintenance of the status quo. In light of the findings detailed in this report, local media outlets should acknowledge that their approach to reporting on bond and bond reform functions to undermine police accountability, bolster the power of law enforcement, reinforce racial stereotypes, and undercut further reform efforts.

Read our recommendations on how television outlets can transform their approach to reporting on bond and crime.