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 agree with your conclusions. If only they were held accountable. We got more accurate news when transported across the plains in Conestoga Wagons.
I agree with your conclusions. If only they were held accountable. We got more accurate news when transported across the plains in Conestoga Wagons.
Btw. Thanks for the re-formatting. I do not know how to do it on this forum.