the "news"
do you ever compare the reporting of "news" by different media outlets? we should pay close attention to the content we're taking in, because it most likely has, and will continue to create the lens through which we see the world.
whether it be tv, radio, newspaper, or web/social media, these sources are continuously fighting for our attention by being the "first to report", and by delivering the best content. however, all too often the former seems to get the better of the latter. while we all want our news now, isn't accuracy most important? to instill our trust in the media, isn't that what we're banking on?
i've personally watched and read news stories that i knew were inaccurate, due to first hand knowledge i had about the situations. i don't think these stories were intended to be misleading, and the implications of the situations weren't widespread. but the point is that it did happen, and that it can and does happen on a larger scale with larger consequences. whether expediency in reporting or inaccurate sources are to blame, these often avoidable mistakes in media culture can throw the story off course and affect our perspective.
in addition to those issues, there's a greater one that often surfaces; media bias. while this may seem self-explanatory, i'd like to break it down a bit. i see two slightly different types of bias in play.
the first happens when a big story that's being widely covered, and that's rather matter of fact in nature, gets politicized by someone in the media. the bias is often subtle, and if uneducated on a topic being reported, we may be funneled into an premature opinion. whether it's the "right" opinion or not, if we can't support it with our own reasoning, aren't we doing ourselves an injustice?
who decides what is "news" in the first place? i was posed this question by my father-in-law recently, and it got me thinking about a second opportunity for bias. in addition to "front page" stories, reporters often craft headlines out of anything that will draw attention. watch out when controversial issues show up out of the blue! while the story may have legitimate importance and backed with genuine consideration, there could also be an alternative reason for it coming out - the reporters personal agenda, or a systematic agenda of the media outlet. while each of us will ultimately decide for ourselves the legitimacy of a story, it seems we're often being told that a given issue should be front and center, that it should be important to us, and that we should believe x, y and z.
adding social media to the equation, with its light-speed information dissemination and subsequent sharing, i'd contend that it promotes haste in reporting. this causes stories to be framed faster than ever, potentially leading to viral misinformation.
so why does any of this matter? because at times we allow ourselves to fall into a de facto acceptance of the media. i'd like to think we're all unaffected by the sometimes unfortunate reporting that comes our way, but i think that's naive, and it's the reason i'm writing this in the first place.
a witness in court swears to tell "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth...". it would be irrational to expect a perfect media scenario, but the difference between the whole truth, and some truth can make a world of difference.
please don't take me for a hardened skeptic, as i believe the majority of basic news reporting is done responsibly. and i'm not trying to tell anyone which sources to favor. it's just important to realize that most sources will show some level of bias and are probably all right and wrong at times. my goal here is simply to bring to light what we already know, but sometimes need reminded of, myself included.
as we strive to be the intelligent and effective citizens this world calls us to be, let's remember that our cultural conversations are often shaped by a few, and accepted by many. let's make a habit of considering multiple points of view before forming important opinions. in the end, by personally vetting our news we'll stay sharp and at our best, and ultimately share only the best with others....
