Trustworthy News
 

I noticed that "not trusting the news" has been thrown around a lot in this forum, so it gave me an idea for a poll:

For some reason, I like the BBC. Maybe it's living in a former colony that does it.

Personally, I'm a CNN guy. Sure, it tends to be boring as all get-out at times, but they're more or less the go-too guys. Of course, I buy into their live coverage less than stories that are well researched.

And that goes for all the big news stations. Live stories are too easily influenced by non-news elements. Look at the number of stories that have had Howard Stern call ins, or some other similar elements. Live coverage leaves the news stations too open for believing whatever they're fed.

That said, I trust something stated in a syndicated newspaper (ala Washinton Post/LA Times), more than anything I see on TV. Paper deadlines are daily, while TV deadlines can be by the half-hour, leaving in-depth research for television, much to be desired.

Sky Warrior Bob

Daily Show. No contest.

Or, you know, a newspaper.

Hey, what about MSNBC?

Also, saying that Fox News is "fair, unbiased news" is like saying the KKK isn't racist. Fox News is only fair and unbiased to those with an extremely conservative point of view. CNN, MSNBC and BBC are way more fair and unbiased than Fox News.

I watched CNN and Fox News during the war in Afghanistan and noticed something interesting: CNN showed mostly footage and interviews of protestors against the war and Fox News showed mostly footage of pro-war demonstrators. I could dish out a whole lot of damage against CNN right now but I know I would once again have to stand against everyone by myself.

Also, Fox News (yes, I'm a fan) does have a lot conservative reporters, but they only speak their opinion and "bias" in their opinion sections such as Neil Cavuto's "My Word" or Bill O'Reilly's "Most Ridiculous Item of the Day". Their news reporting includes both liberal and conservative points of view.

CNN does mostly the same, except they curve to the left with their opinions.

"Extremely" conservative point of view? I'm not extremely conservative and I find FNC just fine. If that's how it is then I could just go along and say "Only flaming liberals find CNN fair and unbiased.

I'll tell you which news I trust the least, anything I hear on Coast to Coast AM. :p

I don't bother with television news. Online papers (i.e. the New York Times) fo shizzle!

Yes, but he only said that only extremely conservative people would see them as fair and unbiased. Not that others wouldn't see it as 'fine' or an 'ok source of news'. And...

You admit that they are biased in the opposite way as CNN. Actually, the fact that they showed mostly pro-war demonstrators, when the number of anti-war demonstrators was far greater shows a possibility of an even greater bias.


Anyway, on topic: I trust most news sources, but I don't trust anything beyond a shadow of a doubt. If I find two conflicting news stories, I'll generally see which is supported by more media sources/which seems more 'right' to me given an educated guess... otherwise I mostly just trust them for the most point. No point in second guessing everything I hear...

All of the above/none of the above. Its basically impossible to find a single media organization that ISN'T biased one way or another, so the best avenue is to get info from them all, read between the lines, and filter out the garbage. And believe me, there's a lot of garbage.

CNN is blatantly left-winged. Ted Turner, people. Jane Fonda. Duh.

FOX is blatantly right-wing, because the media has been overwhelmingly left-wing for about 15 years now and an opportunist like Murdoch rightfully saw a huge opportunity.

Don't get me started on BBC and Al-Jazeera.


But the point is that you need to get more than one perspective if you're looking for truth.