Have you ever thought about where you get most of your news? Are you watching local or national news programs? Do you watch major news networks? Do you read local, state, or national newspapers? Are you skimming headlines that pop up in your social media feeds? Do you read business, political, or technology magazines to catch up on current trends and information? Do family or friends inform you when something goes on? No matter how you get your news, let’s take a moment to break down how the headlines are chosen.
If you are watching local news programs, these will be geared toward a particular region of a state unless you live in a major urban area of the United States. National programs will carry the major headlines of the country and occasionally report on big stories in a particular state that might be of national interest. Just like with major news networks, the content of a program will often reflect a particular social or political leaning. In the United States, we all know of certain major news networks and programs which air news with a particular leaning such as conservative or liberal. Newspapers and magazines sometimes follow this same pattern.
For a balanced view on issues, it is better to consume content from networks and publications that look at multiple sides of an issue so I avoid watching the two major networks in the United States that clearly lean to one side or the other. There are plenty of other options which cover the issues without taking a single view. Why does that matter? Networks and publications may deliberately leave out important information which might affect your opinion because they want you to continue believing everything they show you. While they may not be lying to you, the problem is that they are misleading you by eliminating essential facts from the story. That’s why balanced viewing and reading matter. Don’t get pulled into the socio-political vortex of a single network or publication.
Likewise, don’t use your social media feed as your only source of news. For one thing, the news may be inaccurate because anyone can post what they want. By the time the social media platform recognizes misinformation, you may have already read the article and moved on. Secondly, your social media feed is controlled by a search algorithm that is influenced by information of what you have accessed in the past. Therefore, the feed may only include information related to what you have searched in the past. Social media should be used carefully – if at all – when it comes to news content.
When it comes to gathering information from family and friends, always ask yourself what their socio-political view is before you buy into what they tell you. We can love our family members and friends but be aware that they don’t have a balanced view on social, economic, or political issues. It’s important to verify what people tell you with available information. Don’t believe everything you hear because both of you might end up being wrong.
Keep in mind when consuming news related content that networks, platforms, and publications want to get your attention. They will tweak headlines to grab you, and depending on the source, they will make certain the content caters to a particular perspective. Where you get your news matters. Look for balanced content that avoids bias and reports on multiple perspectives of major issues. If you start to feel like you are only seeing one side, it might be time to reevaluate your news consumption to include a broader range of perceptions. Deliberate ignorance closes its mind to other perspectives, but educated minds are simply willing to hear the views of others even if they don’t change their minds.
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And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32, NKJV)
All Things Subject to Change 