344 - Do you really trust your news source?

Yesterday, someone wrote a post about what news source people watch.

I really didn't want to write this post but it won't leave me alone.

The poll question gave 4 possibilities, including one from Joe Rogan, comedian, turned podcaster, which, in my book is nothing more than an opinionist, like Tucker Carlson or Wolf Blitzer.

These are NOT sources of news. They are versions of the news as seen through these presenters' eyes.

They leave no room for question or skepticism in the listener's mind. They tell listeners what to think and how to act. You either believe or, well, you're an idiot. 🙄

For example, at one point during the pandemic, Tucker Carlson (Fox News) told his listeners to tell people to take off their masks if it makes them feel uncomfortable. His listeners, after all, have a right to feel comfortable in their own environment.

Shortly thereafter, the president of my local Chamber of Commerce attended a ribbon-cutting for a new business and was asked to remove her mask, as it made them uncomfortable.

She was 8 months pregnant at the time, so she politely declined to remove it. It is her freedom of choice to wear a mask, as it does not affect anyone but her. It's not like she was lighting up a cigarette.

This is only one example and it happens on both sides of the aisle.

Meanwhile, the other choices on the poll were all mainstream, hence biased in one direction or the other.

There was no mention of the more neutral/centered news sources like PBS, Reuters, Associated Press, or The Economist.

To check on media bias, you can go to: https://lnkd.in/dZqpRwXH

I once had someone tell me that they only watch their news favored source because all other news was biased in the opposite direction. (I'm struggling here not to name the source because it too is biased and controversial)

That person had not considered that it wasn't the other news sources alone that are biased. 🤔

Why has our news become so polarized?

Because people want to hear what resonates with their views. The media wants to keep people coming back by making them feel good about what they believe.

Unfortunately, it has escalated out of proportion so much that most people are not even aware that how biased they are.

You can tell what news source a person watches by the way they talk.

Many years ago, that wasn't possible because we all got the same news. Today, the X day of X year, This happened... so and so (famous person) said this "xxxx"...

You had to form your own opinion. The presenter didn't shake their heads, roll their eyes, or chuckle as they present.

I'm curious how much longer we will continue to polarize based on the news we watch.

Hopefully, future generations will see the error and correct it.

Do you really trust your news source?

#media#business#workplaceculture