The "Fake News" phenomenon
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I would like to address something that I have previously briefly touched on, the supposed “Fake News” phenomenon. First, I would like to say that like other professions, the Media has an internal or peer based review system. If journalists or media companies don’t do their due diligence tracking down the facts and details of a story they will get checked or a rival will steal the story by presenting the facts and details. Journalist and the Media even have awards for their work so it pays to get the story right and put as much information and detail into their work. They are an important part of our information network; they are our conduit to information. We need them to make informed decisions about our government and our lives. They are also not just about informing us on political matters; think about natural disasters, food recalls, the weather, local information, world information, etc.
Now, there is a newer branch of media “news” that I think we should all be careful when listening to or reading. It is called opinion news and it is filled with biases. I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion but we should all be wary when listening to another person’s even if it aligns with our own way of thinking. Opinions are not facts and confusing them can be detrimental to your ability to discern the truth.
It is normal and commonplace to have a natural skepticism about information, but problems arise when we don’t heed that niggling doubt; when we believe something just based on the first thing we hear about it. This is how gossip is spread and how people’s lives get upended. We should all approach information with a bit of skepticism and explore it by getting multiple view points and sources.
When I was a child my father told me that I should believe only half of what I see and none of what I hear. He was instructing me to be less gullible and to use my critical thinking skills to seek out the facts. That changed my life and my perspective on viewing the world. I am unfortunately or fortunately still somewhat naïve but I heed my inner voice and I use my brain to make sure no one will fool me without at least giving myself a fighting chance to get to the truth.
Finally, I would like to say don’t just believe something because someone told you about it or you read it on social media or you heard it from someone in authority. Do your due diligence and seek the truth; search out multiple sources; investigate. The world has more information available today than it ever had before, so utilize that computer in your pocket. Don’t let anyone make a fool of you. Knowledge is Power.
