Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Mastrine.
Hi Julie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Back when I first started my career in media, I was inside a political bubble. One of my first jobs out of college was working in PR as a professional political activist, pumping out partisan propaganda for causes aligned with “my side,” organizing petitions and rallies, and speaking to press.
Wanting to be good at my job, I would prepare myself in the event a journalist might call to ask tough questions about our campaigns. I would read news and opinions on the other side and run thought exercises to prepare — what would someone with a different perspective ask about this issue? What holes might they see in our logic? What tough questions might a journalist ask, especially one who doesn’t agree?
But a funny thing happened. Reporters almost *never* asked difficult questions — instead, they would report on our campaigns glowingly and unquestioningly. And my own mind started to change. I realized something was deeply wrong with our media landscape, and became concerned about how political bias permeates the news.
I also realized the other side wasn’t evil, heartless, and cruel. They had sincerely held beliefs and made lot of good points I hadn’t previously considered.
Media bias ensconces us inside of one-sided bubbles that prevent us from understanding and seeing the full picture or sincerely understanding the other side. I decided I wanted to work professionally on the issue of media bias. I didn’t want Americans to be duped — I wanted them to know their favorite news outlet may be mischaracterizing their opponents (their fellow Americans) or not telling the full story. I wanted them to be equipped to ask the right questions, see through partisan spin, and decide for themselves.
So I joined AllSides, a provider of balanced news and media bias ratings, in its very early days as a company. There, I began analyzing and writing about media bias, managing our thousands of bias ratings by overseeing panelist reviews and surveys of Americans, and creating online content to help Americans think critically about the news they consume. I created the viral, first-ever AllSides Media Bias Chart, as well as the well-trafficked media literacy guide, 16 Types of Media Bias.
My work has gone beyond what I’d thought possible — major players including Elon Musk and JD Vance have shared or commented on my work, and the bias chart has been published in numerous academic textbooks. I’m now consulting dozens of newsrooms nationally and internationally on how to see and avoid political bias in their writing.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The nature of my work involves convening panels of Americans on the left, center, and right, training them to see political bias in the news, and then running reviews and discussing the best bias rating for an outlet. Working on a cross-partisan team can certainly lead to conflicts and disagreements, as bias is ultimately subjective. But I’m lucky the team at AllSides has an understanding and collaborative attitude overall. Our goal is not to always agree, but to sincerely understand and appreciate different perspectives, present them honestly, and help Americans to get the full picture.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m known for my media bias analysis expertise, and I also engage in commentary. My op-eds have appeared in outlets including USA Today, The Blaze, The Epoch Times, Evie Magazine, and more. I’ve appeared on many podcasts to discuss issues such as politics, media, culture, modern relationships, religion and spirituality. I’m most proud of my work to help Americans think critically about the perspectives and information they get from our ubiquitous mass media system, hopefully helping them to think for themselves, avoid manipulation, and make better decisions in life.
What makes you happy?
Creating, communicating, and considering the deeper questions of life makes me happy, and my work encompasses all of this. I’m not satisfied unless I’m producing work that is beautiful and/or useful to the world, whether in my professional or personal life.
When I’m not engrossed in media, I’m also a fire dancer, performance artist, and collage artist, and I attend church regularly. I’m lucky to have been able to build a fulfilling life that balances meaningful work with community, creativity, and play.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://juliemastrine.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliemastrine/
- Other: https://www.allsides.com/unbiased-balanced-news
