While I cannot opine on the level of intentional bias in news reporting, one should remember that reporters are typically rather inexpert on the subjects they report. As a result, they commonly state things inaccurately.
If you want to run a personal test of this -- just attend a local council or zoning board meeting and listen carefully to what goes on. Then read your local newspaper's recounting of that meeting. You will often wonder whether you and the reporter were in the same room.