If We The People are ever going to run this country as intended, we need to know what is going on. It isn't easy. People know of the "Fog of War," which is the haze of information preventing a military commander to see a situation clearly. Military commanders have access to a vast array of information, most of which is irrelevent, dubious, or deceptive. The most important information may be deliberately hidden. You and I are surrounded by a "Fog of Politics," which prevents us from seeing what is going on around us clearly. Thanks to the internet, we have access to a vast array of information, most of which is irrelevent, dubious, or deceptive. The most important information may be deliberately hidden.
Relying on the news media alone is not the answer. Corporations exist to make money and news corporations are no different. You already know this because you've seen the endless hours of coverage devoted to Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, or the latest missing (attractive, female) college student. You've noticed the distinct absence of air time devoted to details of the latest omnibus funding bill, or proposed revisions to the tax code, or in-depth pro and con discussions of US policy toward...well, toward anything. Paris, Britney, and the missing girl bring in the viewers and the ratings are the single most important thing. Things that really affect you are, oddly enough, not interesting enough for you to watch. There is a chicken-and-egg effect here. The networks provide us salacious stories masquerading as news in the belief that we'll watch and we confirm the belief by watching.
When real news is covered we are hardly better off. Coverage is kept at a top-level and the information is presented by advocates for one position or another instead of independent analysts. Their goal is to convince you, not inform you. We are forced to rely on the news anchors to "ask the tough questions" to "keep them honest." Of course, if they do ask the tough questions then notable guests would no longer appear on the show and ratings would plummet.
This is by no means a new discovery, but a reminder. And a twist. The inadequacies of the mainstream media is actually something liberals and conservatives can agree on. At least they can if they choose to. Liberals say the media is controlled by and voicing only conservative talking points and conservatives claim the media is filled with left-wing operatives spouting liberal positions. Conservatives claim that George Soros is the evil mastermind pulling the strings behind the scenes. While liberals claim that Rupert Murdoch is the evil mastermind controlling the messages we are allowed to hear.
What liberals and conservatives can agree on is the need for trustworthy, unbiased sources of information. Maybe we should stop arguing about who's side the news is on and demand with a unified voice news that is not on anybody's side. That means educating ourselves a bit. Fact-check stories, even ones you agree with. Consider all stories, even ones you don't agree with. Watch channels and read online sources you normally wouldn't. It really doesn't take much effort; a quick google almost always does the trick to get a fuller picture of a news item. Waiting a few days for the news cycle to catch up with the facts can help, too. If a false story is ripping its way through the internet, post a polite (can't emphasize that enough) note and link to more factual information. It may mean voting with your feet to show that anything less is not tolerated.
Agreement on these kinds of issues may seem trivial, but it is important. People who have something in common are more apt to listen to each other, respect each other's views, and work together on the harder issues.
And for what it's worth, I have always been impressed with Christian Science Monitor news (link at left).
Relying on the news media alone is not the answer. Corporations exist to make money and news corporations are no different. You already know this because you've seen the endless hours of coverage devoted to Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, or the latest missing (attractive, female) college student. You've noticed the distinct absence of air time devoted to details of the latest omnibus funding bill, or proposed revisions to the tax code, or in-depth pro and con discussions of US policy toward...well, toward anything. Paris, Britney, and the missing girl bring in the viewers and the ratings are the single most important thing. Things that really affect you are, oddly enough, not interesting enough for you to watch. There is a chicken-and-egg effect here. The networks provide us salacious stories masquerading as news in the belief that we'll watch and we confirm the belief by watching.
When real news is covered we are hardly better off. Coverage is kept at a top-level and the information is presented by advocates for one position or another instead of independent analysts. Their goal is to convince you, not inform you. We are forced to rely on the news anchors to "ask the tough questions" to "keep them honest." Of course, if they do ask the tough questions then notable guests would no longer appear on the show and ratings would plummet.
This is by no means a new discovery, but a reminder. And a twist. The inadequacies of the mainstream media is actually something liberals and conservatives can agree on. At least they can if they choose to. Liberals say the media is controlled by and voicing only conservative talking points and conservatives claim the media is filled with left-wing operatives spouting liberal positions. Conservatives claim that George Soros is the evil mastermind pulling the strings behind the scenes. While liberals claim that Rupert Murdoch is the evil mastermind controlling the messages we are allowed to hear.
What liberals and conservatives can agree on is the need for trustworthy, unbiased sources of information. Maybe we should stop arguing about who's side the news is on and demand with a unified voice news that is not on anybody's side. That means educating ourselves a bit. Fact-check stories, even ones you agree with. Consider all stories, even ones you don't agree with. Watch channels and read online sources you normally wouldn't. It really doesn't take much effort; a quick google almost always does the trick to get a fuller picture of a news item. Waiting a few days for the news cycle to catch up with the facts can help, too. If a false story is ripping its way through the internet, post a polite (can't emphasize that enough) note and link to more factual information. It may mean voting with your feet to show that anything less is not tolerated.
Agreement on these kinds of issues may seem trivial, but it is important. People who have something in common are more apt to listen to each other, respect each other's views, and work together on the harder issues.
And for what it's worth, I have always been impressed with Christian Science Monitor news (link at left).
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