What is the overall bias of your news sources?

[ERD50]

I will respectfully suggest that the question itself does not get to heart of the issue, and is maybe a part of the problem. It is a form of logical fallacy, the "appeal to authority".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_authority


I try not to think in terms of any source as being biased one way or the other (within reason), and I assume they are all biased. And the bias may vary from article to article, or over time - so that's not even reliable.

I read/watch the article. If it is clearly reporting what I know to be fact, fine (2 + 2 = 4). The source doesn't matter.

On more nuanced information, I listen. If it seems important to me, I will take the time/effort to do my own research and find the sources. Nine times out of ten, I'll find the article put a strong slant on it, sometimes clearly out of bias, sometimes clearly out of ignorance.

If I don't have the time/motivation to research it, or can't find sources, I'll ignore it. My experience in digging up sources makes me tend to assume the information as presented was wrong anyhow.

I try to listen to multiple sources, to hear what they are talking about, not so much what they say about it. I'll ignore their view unless/until I can research it.

I've seen some jaw dropping examples of statements taken out of context, or even edited to present something very different from what actually happened. The ones I can think of off hand would probably end up with Porky, though I wish that were not the case. I wish people would look at them for the content and comparison rather than what "side" they were from, but I don't think that will happen. If I find some neutral ones, I'll try to remember to post them.

I hope some recent lawsuits against some media outlets win and receive huge awards. I feel that the media has become very, very dangerous lately, putting "the story" far ahead of some peoples reputations and even safety. They can start a mob incident with some of their reporting, which often turns out to be wrong, and could and should have been verified first. The media need to be held responsible.

-ERD50

 

[Lsbcal]

I didn't answer the poll because I intentionally get news from multiple perspectives. I listen to NPR and read the local paper every day. We get both the WSJ (paper) and NYT (digital) which I read selectively. Don't watch much news TV at all.

The poll is really your estimate of the overall news source categorization. So, for example, if you read publications that categorize as a LEAN LEFT, a CENTER, and a LEAN RIGHT then you should probably answer the poll as a CENTER reader. Don't worry too much about getting this down exactly, your intuition is probably right.

 

[W2R]

A friend gave up news after a health scare. She's never been happier. Probably not the best way for the world to run, but I'm thinking ignoring the media for a month or two might help us all.

I ignore TV entirely, not just the news. This not only eliminates political bias and pushes from TV news and other shows, but also advertising and the push towards consumerism which makes me crazy. I am much happier without TV.

I do spend a lot of time on the internet but try to block as many of the ads as I can. I learned here about "reading view" in my browser, and try to use that when possible.

 

[W2R]

I try to listen to multiple sources, to hear what they are talking about, not so much what they say about it. I'll ignore their view unless/until I can research it.

I remember the Good Old Days when news and editorials used to be separate from one another (sigh).

 

[Lsbcal]

I will respectfully suggest that the question itself does not get to heart of the issue, and is maybe a part of the problem. It is a form of logical fallacy, the "appeal to authority".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_authority

...
-ERD50

News reporting is, of course, tinged with a degree of the reporters viewpoints. Some of it is intended to be entertaining to make money (pay the rent) and attract readers.

I hope you actually clicked on a poll choice even though this poll is highly unscientific. I have not found a way to express this stuff in a closed form equation yet.

 

[Chuckanut]

My news sources are about center, but that is because I don't seriously use sources that obviously beat the drum for one side or the other. All sources that I use have more subtle to moderate biases, but since I mix them up, I think I get a 'centrist' point of view overall.

Mixing celebrity opinions in with news content is a serious mistake, and a real warning that standards are low, IMHO.

 

[Boho]

Hard to say. I'm more left and I think they have less biased headlines than Fox, etc. (I hate the practice of quoting a person in a headline...that newsifies opinion somewhat but it's still too opiniony to me). I think there's more highly respected left media (NY & LA Times, Washington Post, most networks) than right, and those are what I read most. Media that's neutral will appear more left in comparison to right. If the neutral media exists in larger numbers than the right that doesn't make them left even if it may seem that way.

I think we're not supposed to get political on the forum so I want to be careful what I'm saying, but the party that's more checks and balances inclined (bigger government) would probably provide the more neutral news and right-leaning headlines would be more likely to be biased.

 

[scrabbler1]

I was wondering where outlets such as PBS (i.e. PBS Newshour, Washington Week)and C-Span fit into the picture?

 

[Lsbcal]

I remember the Good Old Days when news and editorials used to be separate from one another (sigh).

Well you can just try to ignore the editorials. I tend to do just that.

BTW, your current avatar looks like a Roman emperor to me (but it's probably something else):

[

I've been reading a lot of history and historical fiction about the Roman Empire. Trying to get some perspective on our times by going backwards . The population of Rome was estimated to be 30% to 40% slaves and yet there is nothing written by them so we don't know their views. Much of that history is written by others who lived long after the emperor in question died so we don't even have much in the way of reliable eye witness accounts. Talk about doubtful news.

 

[Music Lover]

I hope some recent lawsuits against some media outlets win and receive huge awards. I feel that the media has become very, very dangerous lately, putting "the story" far ahead of some peoples reputations and even safety. They can start a mob incident with some of their reporting, which often turns out to be wrong, and could and should have been verified first. The media need to be held responsible.

-ERD50

I agree. I hope they are punished to the point of bankruptcy. It's deliberate and never in my life have I seen such willfully dishonest media than what's been happening over the last few years. Pushing their agenda is now their main goal and real journalism would just get in the way.

 

[W2R]

BTW, your current avatar looks like a Roman emperor to me (but it's probably something else):

It's a Mardi Gras parade king, mask and all. I forget which parade; I made the avatar a couple of years ago from a photo of a local New Orleans parade. I like it because of the color balance - - red gets my attention.

Tomorrow I need to replace my Mardi Gras avatars with something else, since MG will be over.

 

[Montecfo]

Here is a graphic from that link showing some of the more popular news sources and the ratings given by people voting on the site:

BTW, I tend to agree with these ratings but not exactly all of them.

Yeah I think some of these could move a notch to the left. Example, NPR is not in the center.

I sample all sources and sift carefully.

 

[ERD50]

...

I hope you actually clicked on a poll choice even though this poll is highly unscientific. I have not found a way to express this stuff in a closed form equation yet.

I would like to comply, but I can't. Anything I clicked would be misleading, and just add noise to the poll.

I follow news sites that most people would consider to be on each end of the spectrum. There is no poll choice for that. As I said, I don't believe any of it, but I want to be aware of what each side is talking about.

I'm kinda curious how people are voting though. If you consider yourself left/right leaning, do you vote "lean left/right" for your news sources? IOW, do you seek out sources that match your leanings? Or would a left leaning person consider that on average, news sight that they are exposed to are right leaning, and vice-versa?

-ERD50

 

[W2R]

Yeah I think some of these could move a notch to the left. Example, NPR is not in the center.

Yes, I agree. Either that or else I am further right than I thought.

 

[easysurfer]

I didn't vote as I didn't want to label myself as leaning anyway.

When folks ask me how did I vote? Left, right, etc. I say "I voted for the best person for the position" .

 

[Rianne]

News reporting is, of course, tinged with a degree of the reporters viewpoints.

I might add: "tinged with a degree of the" stations owner or CEO viewpoints.

 

[Lsbcal]

I would like to comply, but I can't. Anything I clicked would be misleading, and just add noise to the poll.

I follow news sites that most people would consider to be on each end of the spectrum. There is no poll choice for that. As I said, I don't believe any of it, but I want to be aware of what each side is talking about.

I'm kinda curious how people are voting though. If you consider yourself left/right leaning, do you vote "lean left/right" for your news sources? IOW, do you seek out sources that match your leanings? Or would a left leaning person consider that on average, news sight that they are exposed to are right leaning, and vice-versa?

-ERD50

Just for you an equation:

LEAN LEFT + CENTER + LEAN RIGHT = CENTER

You can vote with multiple sources. Just average them. Or assign numbers and round the result.

 

[ERD50]

Just for you an equation:

LEAN LEFT + CENTER + LEAN RIGHT = CENTER

You can vote with multiple sources. Just average them. Or assign numbers and round the result.

Sorry, but that's like telling someone they will be comfortable in a house with one floor at 40F and the other floor at 100F since the average is 70F!

-ERD50

 

[Skoach]

Yeah I think some of these could move a notch to the left. Example, NPR is not in the center.

I sample all sources and sift carefully.

The key is differentiating news from editorial/opinion. I find Fox and CNN opinion pieces (most of what they air) strictly viewership grabs with sensationalist headlines and stories. I think the above chart shows this pretty well. I also think the majority of people do not know or understand this difference when viewing.

I prefer print media (online) and subscribe to the Washington Post (grew up with it) and WSJ (30 years of work reading daily). They are comfortable for me. It is still important to identify editorial from news, which I find much easier in print than other news sources.

They all said, my personal politics tend to be slightly right of center, but I am a firm believer in understanding the other side and find reasonable debates on issues to be exceptional learning opportunities when they can be found, which is rare now days.

 

[REWahoo]

Is that bacon I smell?

 

[W2R]

Is that bacon I smell?

Absolutely! I don't think I have ever smelled bacon so distinctly here. Makes me glad that I have nothing to do with enforcing forum rules these days.

 

[ls99]

I have no TV service, nor do I watch OTA TV. Gave up un newspapers as overpriced rehash of recent history.

I do counsult the internet, as that is where unbiased facts and evidence are presented from multiple points of view.

Besides, if it is on the internet it is the absolutely most current truth


BTW... I found the popcorn, we need an lawnchair emoji.
Edit: No rubrik for Internet truth and veracity.
Edit2: Thanks to generosity of W2R A lawnchair was provided for comfort of munching popcorn.

 

[scrabbler1]

Two more "none of the above" news sources from the image shown near the start of this thread: fact-checking websites such as politifact and factcheck.org.

 

[W2R]

Besides, if it is on the internet it is the absolutely most current truth

This is what I keep telling Frank!

BTW... I found the popcorn, we need an lawnchair emoji.

Here you go!

 

[brewer12345]

I have been paying 3.50 a pound for pastured pork, but my usual supplier now wants 4.50. Think that is too much?