Who, what, when, where, why?
Not sure how much real news is out there in the so called media. We make a huge mistake believing that the media is something other than Leftist activism.
Is the author reporting what a subject matter expert thinks, or just giving their own opinion? Probably half the articles posted on FR are the latter, from a blog or website. Then you must examine the author’s credentials to know if they have any education or experience that warrants paying any attention to what they say.
Candace Owens is a good example of one that fail this test.
I used to be an expert in bullshit. I could correctly identify it two out of three times.
Now, everything is BS until proven others wise.
3. The most insidious power of the media is the power to ignore. Chris Plante
Personally, I look for clues and bits of information that seem credible and hold up as stories/news spread and different sources and biases look at them, a common rule for me is to read the criticisms of the opposition to stories or news I am trying to examine as well as the supporting sources.
I have noticed that more gullible people who are always raging and jumping on even obvious fake stories are the ones who are always seeking a “source they can trust” and have firm lists of what blog or talking heads they can “trust” versus everything else that they must dismiss and totally ignore, basically they want to be told what to think with a nicely packaged narrative, and then they will passionately project it to the world without examining and questioning it, or analyzing it.
One of the most important thing to realize in processing information from any source and to always keep in mind is that we subconsciously gravitate to whatever reinforces our beliefs and biases, and thus can be more easily bamboozled by propanda from our side than the other.
So in order to get a better approximation of reality, it’s important to look with a critical eye at stuff that we readily agree with and to at least be open to consider the stuff that goes against our grain.
Always start out labeling it as a lie.
1. Who is reporting it and what’s their angle? Always check the source. Is it an outlet known to lean Left, Right, or sensationalist? Look at the track record of the news source. Their editorial history can give clear signs whether they are pushing a narrative or giving you straight facts.
2. What is the evidence behind the claim? Look for specifics – quotes, data, documents, or eyewitness accounts. Research those eyewitnesses to understand whether they represent a specific narrative as well. If the outlet uses vague “sources say” statements, that should be an immediate red flag. Like the old Wendy’s commercial – ask yourself, “Where’s the beef?”
3. What am I not seeing? Compare the news to other reports on the same event, even opposing news outlets. If key details – like context, opposing or conflicting accounts, or the other side’s point of view – are not included in a news story, it is likely curated to steer you, not inform you.
4. How fresh is the news, and has it been verified? When receiving breaking news, always wait before sharing, to ensure that it has been fact-checked or verified. So often, early reports get details wrong, and initial assumptions can be wrong. Wait for the dust to settle and don’t get played by your own snap judgments.
5. Why does this feel urgent or emotional? Algorithms are set to produce engagement. Engagement can be either pro or con. When you see an outrageous claim, and you agree with it, you will like or share it. When you disagree with it, you may share it with an outraged comment of your own. Either way, you are engaging and doing precisely what the media wants you to do.
We need the FCC to enforce truth and accuracy in reporting, edit as you wish but that editing must be noted and the full text, full video must be available for review. Corrections or miss statements MUST be given the same amount of play as the WRONG or INCORRECT statements or videos when broadcast be it 10 minutes, 20 minutes 30 minutes if the media source trumped it MUST be one to one.
If they the media did a 1 hour broadcast that was wrong, incorrect or lies then they must do a second broadcast of 1 hour at the same time slot explaining that they were wrong, incorrect or had lied.
A large banner should be run at the bottom of any video STATING that the SOURCE in unnamed, unverified, if an audio broadcast the statement should be made at the start, at the mode and at the end.
If any of this is not done then the FCC should fine and or remove, suspend broadcast licenses. Keep pushing wrong, incorrect or lies and have your broadcast right removed.
We have truth in advertising laws why no accuracy in reporting laws? There should be no editing or exerting with out posting the entire text or video or audio and if the is no confirmation and the source in unknown or not named. That should be at the beginning and end of that report. If a photo is cropped the original should be also available for review. For to long the public has been denied the full information, the full story and unfortunately as it has been shown time and time again. The news media's take on events can no longer be taken at face value because of paid, yes paid partisan behavior and down right bias. Does the media as a whole need to be held to a much higher standard?
I use the 72 hour rule when a story breaks. It always changes.
I’ll read FReeRepublic. Too many lies at other sources. At FReeRepublc the liars are shown the door or outed in postings. Jim Robinson is to be commended for His website. Thank You Jim!