1. The enduring "liberal media" charge -- The enduring charge -- The puzzle of persistence -- Types of bias charges -- 2. The scholarly view of partisan bias -- The advantages and challenges of social science -- Baselines and structure -- Bias in election coverage -- Measuring nonelectoral reality -- Breakthroughs in methods and controversy -- Recent innovations -- 3. How to evaluate a bias charge -- Bias charges : easy to make but hard to get right -- Defining bias -- The components of a bias charge : the I-B-E framework -- How to evaluate a bias charge -- 4. The real biases -- A note on standards -- The real biases -- Skewed news judgment -- Limited perspectives -- Informational shortcomings -- 5. Coverage of the Affordable Care Act -- Partisan bias charges -- The real biases -- 6. The media and the 2016 Republican nomination -- The real biases -- The party usually decides -- Trump's dominance of television coverage -- The media's role in Trump's nomination -- 7. Bias, balance, and ideals in the Trump era -- Bias and balance in the 2016 general election -- The enduring importance of nonideological ideals -- Journalists : mind your friends, not the bullies -- Citizens : force the conversation.