As a journalism major, I'm obviously biased towards the importance of news. I spend countless hours learning from the best professors about how to report, what to report, and how to effectively reach an audience.
In my classes, I'm required to check multiple news outlets daily to prepare for "current events" quizzes. At first, I was so frustrated -- I mean honestly who has time to spend 30 minutes to an hour a day reading multiple stories from multiple outlets about anything ranging from major events to local food truck festivals and trying to retain it all for a five question quiz? But it turns out, scheduling time into my day for a news check is one of the best habits I've created since coming to college.
News is so important. It equips us with the information we need to stay safe when bad situations arise. With the crazy world we live in, it's vital that we're informed about the situations going on overseas and in our own back yard.
Another important aspect of news is accuracy. If you only read one story from one outlet -- chances are you've probably got the wrong information, especially if it's breaking news. Check multiple outlets. Compare facts and check credibility of the new site and the reporter.
Along with accuracy is skepticism. Be skeptical about what you read, especially when it comes from a less popular or unknown source. Most of the time it's click bait (sorry @ everyone who thought Patrick Dempsey was moving to Small Town, TX).
Read the article all the way through. I bet most of you still think Matthew McConaughey is teaching in an actual classroom at UT this fall, right? At least that's the news that went viral. Sorry to break your hearts ladies, but a quick read to the end of the press release reveals it's a video-taught class.
News can so easily be twisted. The wrong information can fall into the wrong hands and before you know it, everybody is on Twitter reporting that we're being invaded by aliens.
It's so important to be informed, as I've said countless times -- but be informed with the correct information so when it comes time for you to be the source of what's going on in the world, you accurately report the news that others are desperately waiting to hear.
News is power, and you never know when the chance to break something will fall into your lap. Therefore, I encourage you to read the news, be informed, and be prepared to spread the word accurately and efficiently.
