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July 8th, 2009 by Rhiannon Bowman in News
Isn’t it funny how conservative radio, print publications and Faux News are always squawking about how the media isn’t on their side? Are they serious? They are a big part of “the media.”
The amazing thing is people listen to them and — not only do they believe every word — they repeat their talking points verbatim. When people do that, they make it obvious where they’re getting their “news.”
Here’s a better idea: Try exploring several different types of news sources. Why? Because “the truth” everyone is seeking isn’t going to be found on one station, in one paper or on one radio setting. “The truth” is likely a mixture of various points of view.
Check out some international news. Don’t stop at the “World” section of the newspaper. Check out an actual international news source like the BBC, AllAfrica.com, Al Jazeera and more. What are other countries concerned about today? What are they saying about America?
Spend some time with NPR, “Frontline” and “The News Hour” with Jim Leher. Notice how the commentators aren’t screaming or being confrontational. That’s because they’re goal isn’t to entertain, it’s to inform.
Purposely seek news outlets you believe you’ll disagree with. What are they talking about? Can you relate to their point of view?
Interested in a particular issue? Go to the library. Read a book. Heck, read two. Educate yourself on the issues. Don’t assume any media outlet or personality has their facts straight. They might, they might not. But, how will you know if you aren’t armed with facts? Note: An opinion is an opinion, not a fact.
And, here’s a truth for you: We’re all more alike than we are different. We all want the same basic things: Safety, a good job, a loving family, a healthy community.
So, what’s all the shouting about? Stop bitching like belligerent children and start discussing the issues like grown folks intent on bettering the world for the next generation.
Why elide the fact that Sarah Palin is a darling of Fox News, the highest rated cable news network in America? Or that she is regularly defended by Mr. Limbaugh, famous television personality Sean Hannity, and Mark Levin, a nationally syndicated radio host whose latest book just ended a run atop the New York Times bestseller list? Or again, surely these savvy Sarah Palin defenders know that the editors of National Review and The Weekly Standard, tenured members of the political establishment, lined up behind her candidacy, and that Gov. Palin herself is a millionaire who enjoyed a six-figure family income before she ever took the statehouse—never mind the lucrative book contract and pricey speaking fees now available to her.
Here’s a preview of a documentary everyone should watch, “Out Foxed.”
July 8th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
It sounds like Bowman is self diagnosing herself in this article.
If Bowman would notice, many of my problems with her reporting is that she leaves important information out inorder to sway people to her side. Since she leaves inportant information out many times it would appear that she is the one lacking a well rounded information background.
Manhy liberal voters suffer from what Bowman describes in this article. The only problem is that they only watch NBC or CBS.
FOX is the #1 cable news outlet but it will take years before tha majority of people quit watch the network news outlets. Non biased news is still where most people stuck in their ways still get news.
The topic of the article was good. The execution was terrible.
July 8th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Frank,
Again, you’re confusing this blog — where opinion are OK — with the news.
Why are you always bugging CL’s writers, anyway?
And, what “important information” is the author leaving out? Do enlighten us, Frank, since you seem to think you’re so much smarter than everyone else.
Seriously, Frank, if you think you can do better, why don’t you blog for Creative Loafing?
July 9th, 2009 at 2:30 am
The information that is being left out is in general for every liberal writer here at CL.
For this specific article conservatives are more likely to have a well rounded news background and yet this writer implies just the opposite. There was a survey on this a year or so ago.
This writer leaves facts that dont help her case out all the time so she either is quilty of the very thing she is writting about or guilty of intenionaly leaving information out to sway readers.
Uninformed opinions are not fit for public consumption. An informed article would get praise from me or very little if any response. Just think of my comments as a word from the ombudsman who is here to clean up any mess the writers create.
I could do better than most on CL but CL already has a token smart person named Tara.