You should never limit your sources
Start writing a post
Politics

Don't Just Watch Only CNN Or Fox — Watch Them All

How can you expect to have a clear understanding of the news if you only get it from one place?

103
Don't Just Watch Only CNN Or Fox — Watch Them All

My article last week was also on politics, go check it out. I don't identify as a political writer, nor would I want to. But in today's political climate, who doesn't have an opinion? Sure, I listen to NPR and watch the news. I even watch FOX News from time to time. Admittedly, mostly when CNN is on commercial. Regardless, I am better informed because of this.

People shouldn't limit their news sources, even if they don't like what they hear.

This is a fundamental fall in many citizens understanding of the news in the United States. Many people, most people I would say, limit the sources of news out of preference, not necessity. There is a clear distinction between preference and necessity. Limiting your news sources out of necessity would involve you having little say in the matter.

Limiting out of necessity means that there is no other way for you to get your news besides the source that is under your nose. This is a fundamental lack of choice. In the United States and in most parts of the globe, we don't have this issue. Sure, there are some totalitarian governments which limit free speech and freedom of the press. China, Myanmar, North Korea, Venezuela, to name a few.

But in most of the developed world, we don't suffer from this lack of choice. We suffer from the FREEDOM of choice. We limit ourselves out of preference. There are too many options. We are bombarded from every side by hundreds of news sources, each with different opinions and diverse perspectives.

How do we handle all of this information? WE CANNOT HANDLE IT.

So what do we do with this information? We filter it out. This filter is a blessing and a curse. We have the option to turn on one TV channel or the other, but we stick with the source that filters nicely. We stick with the source which best fits our filter, the source which best fits our preferences.

By doing this, we are no better off than those who are limited out of necessity.

If you wish to be a better-informed citizen, capable of speaking on a variety of subjects with diverse perspectives, you must move away from your comfort zone. You cannot hope to be properly informed when all of your news and information comes from one source.

Thankfully for you, there is a simple solution to this problem.

Turn on the TV and flip to your usual news channel. This works best if there is a breaking story or some big news of the day. If its CNN, MSNBC, or FOX, pay attention to what they are saying and how the news is being communicated. Alright, now change to the station you typically do not watch. Listen to what they are saying and how they are communicating the news.

I can almost guarantee that the foundation of the information you are hearing is the same. The key difference is communication. The method of delivery changes from source to source, but the news is usually the same. You may think that the reporting is different because it is. There are hundreds of different people working to bring you a different story. This is called perspective.

Perspective is paramount to your understanding of the news.

The worst thing that can happen when you do this is for you to say that the second source is wrong. They are not wrong. Sure, every news source occasionally makes false claims. CNN does this, MSNBC does this, FOX does this. Lucky for us, because of a little thing called consumer protection, news sources are forced to admit their mistakes. The source isn't wrong, you are just limiting yourself out of preference.

The key to becoming a better-informed citizen and student of the news is perspective. Having a new perspective can and will change the way you perceive the world. It is like going to a new country for the first time and really seeing for yourself how other inhabitants of the world live. You can gain this perspective without leaving your normal routine.

All you have to do is build in a little time each day to see things from a new perspective.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

38435
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

22628
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

949223
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

126126
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments