I’m tired and frustrated with all the fear and anger that is being stirred up by both political parties and by many media outlets. Much of what we see and hear is trying to make (and keep) us angry and afraid. They know that a brain/person that is angry or afraid is one that can’t think logically and is easily manipulated to their point of view. I hate to be manipulated.
I want a straightforward presentation of facts so that I can make a decision, so I need sources of information that I can trust, neutral, fact-based, and as unbiased as possible.
I have found both political parties to be too biased to be trusted, so I listen very carefully to them and then check it out. Where do I check? There are many TV stations, newspapers, websites, etc. that are fact-based, neutral, and unbiased, and they are easy to find.
Nationally, Reuters, Associated Press (AP), and NewsNation are the most in the center with their presentations of information, so I trust them. They all have websites that are easy to access and NewsNation is also on cable tv. Any other organization and all people, especially relatives, friends, and acquaintances, I am skeptical of and check out their ‘facts’. Their ‘facts’ are usually opinions based in emotion, not data. I know from my own experience that when I make opinions or decisions are made when I’m mad or afraid, that they are generally bad decisions or opinions. I wait until I calm down a bit and check out the information and then make a decision or form an opinion.
How do I know I can trust these media outlets? There are three organizations that rate media from far right to far left. They are Media Bias/Fact Check, AllSides, and Ad Fontes Media. I do a Google search with the name of the organization and add ‘Bias’ (e.g. Tampa Bay Times Bias), and the search results provide links to all three groups’ assessments of the organization. They also provide reasons for their assessments. Most of the time these independent organizations have the same assessment for a media outlet. I have found over the years that they are very reliable.
We live in a country where we have the privilege to be able to vote on the people who run our country. I take this privilege very seriously and take a little time to check out the facts so I can vote for the people who will help bring our country closer to the goals set in our Declaration of Independence.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Tampa Free Press. TFP welcomes views from all sides and civil conversation.
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