How
do any of us know what to believe is true, what is fact vs. fantasy, what’s
fake vs. real? Our media landscape –
from traditional media to social media – is broken and filled with liars,
manipulators, and powerful forces that push propaganda relentlessly. Some do this for political gain, others for
profit. The stakes could even be bigger
– terrorism and spy games. The control
of our nation’s mind is under threat.
It’s
up to responsible journalists to take the lead, not only to do their jobs well
but to educate others by advocating for truth.
One organization is taking the lead in this area – The News Literacy Project
“Today’s
youth are turning to a wide variety of digital and social media sources to get
their news and information,” says the organization. “But the challenge of discerning verified
information from spin, opinion, and propaganda makes it harder than ever to
know what to believe.”
We
co-exist with what I call “agenda journalism.”
Today the news media blends in with all media – outlets that aren’t news
but that blur the lines. Let’s look at
some of the problems confronting people from fully understanding or validating
the information or content that they are exposed to:
Too
much information is available, overwhelming people. Just which media outlets are reliable? Which ones practice journalism, based on a
trained staff educated in ethics, law, and media?
Can
you always tell what’s an advertisement vs. editorial content? Are things clearly labeled?
Do
you know the agenda behind a media outlet?
Does coverage skew a certain way due to politics?
Are
there undisclosed financial conflicts between those that report news and those
that are used as sources?
Can
citizens discern the difference between news reporting and analysis, or fact
vs. opinion?
Do
people understand how to evaluate an opinion piece and check out the claims
made?
Do
we check something before we share it?
Is
the story relying on anonymous sources?
Who are they and what’s their agenda?
How
do we know the writer/host checked facts or questioned sources in a probing
way?
Are
we letting news get pushed to us, based on past searches, habits or requested
connections? Are we seeking out numerous and diverse sources? Do we mix it up – TV , online, social, print,
and radio? Do we check in with media
outlets that represent different viewpoints?
Do
we understand that traditional media, weakened by declining ratings/circulation
and lower ad revenue, have fewer staff to research, fact-check, and analyze the
news, thus compromising it?
Do
we understand social media affords anyone and everyone to claim they are
experts – with no filtering or review mechanism for their credentials or
validity of statements?
Can
we see through the fluff and bullshit that’s shoveled our way?
Do
we realize some information shared with us came through a paid placement, a
paid spokesperson or a sponsor?
Entertainment -- sex,
gossip, sports -- gets eyeballs so even major media that’s legitimate will stoop
low to get more readers-viewers-listeners by coverign these topics.
We
need citizens to be smarter about how they approach all content – what they
consume, transmit, or create. We also
need stronger laws to crack down on true fake news, just like we have libel and
defamation laws. We also need the threat
of legit media by lawsuits to silence them to be dismissed.
I
come from an industry.– public relations – that far outnumbers
journalists. For every hack there may be
as many as 7 or 8 flacks seeking to gain influence on the public and media.
It
has to stop. If the law can’t protect
the public then the people have to take control by getting educated, being
disciplined in what they share or create, and to encourage others to pay
attention and call out those that truly create or share false, slanted, or
compromised content.
It
doesn’t help that President Trump, while lying daily, assaults traditional
media outlets like CNN, The NY Times, or NBC News by labeling them creators of fake news. The people must become not just
citizen-journalists but citizen-cops, policing the lies, rumors, and
half-truths that come across their smart phones, television screens, and radio
airwaves.
You
should check out and support The News Literacy Project an education non-profit
that gives middle and high school students the tools to be smart, active
consumers of news and information and engaged, informed citizens.
Its
work, supported by dozens of news organizations and supporters of journalism,
civics and education programs, teaches students how to implement the standards
of quality journalism to determine what information to believe, share, and act on. The group also fosters an understanding of
the role of the First Amendment and a free press in a democracy.
The
News Literacy Project partners with educators and seasoned journalists to
deliver innovative lessons in person and through checkology™ virtual classroom,
both of which can produce success and results.
Think
about the world we live in and the important role, information plays in
it. If we don’t find a way to place a
checks and balance approach to agenda journalism we will operate in a misinformed,
manipulated, and distrustful world, a landscape filled with lies that can
destroy society.
Get
literate about the news – and tell others how to do the same.
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