Media Bias & Education

From the MAGA supporters and the right, I am hearing a regular lament about media bias. You can’t trust anything they say. They are all liberal tools to spread information. I could keep going, but you have the general idea.

I wonder if they’ve stopped to really analyze who is telling them that the media is bad? Could it be that there are people trying to control the narrative? By creating a general fear/distrust in all media, they drive their supporters away from other sides and prompt them not to question their chosen media. Don’t ask for proof or back up documentation, if you believe in us, you must blindly believe.

Here’s where I am confused. Their media is not bias because it spouts everything they believe in. That makes sense. Oh wait, no it doesn’t.

There is a school of thought that goes like this: When I don’t agree with something, it must be “fake news” because I don’t like the results. Seriously? Truthfully, you never have to believe what the other groups are saying, but it’s to everyone’s benefit to understand where other people are coming from and when you disagree show your work. If you make a statement, can you provide the backup. It’s not enough to say “you’re wrong” because I heard it on Fox News that the price of eggs are dropping. You can say, you’re wrong because a nationally recognized study of prices showed the price of eggs are dropping and when I went shopping today they were $2 cheaper. I am making that up to illustrate a point (just in case).

Personally, I follow multiple local and national news sources. I know which ones are more balanced. I know that some of them have a definite left-leaning bias. Sometimes it’s nice to read things that don’t make your blood pressure spike. When I read the more left-leaning media sources, I know they have bias so before I react, I check several other sources before I react.

I do pay attention to the other side. I know this because for the last two months, I’ve been in a state of pretty constant outrage and deep rooted sadness. The problem I’ve been having is how the MAGA and right have been representing their side.

I won’t tolerate opinions that are being shared as fact. Provide the proof (and not just one or two scattered incidents to prove a wide spread epidemic) or admit it’s your opinion.

When we can provide scientific or data driven proof that something Trump or one of his people have said, look at the information instead of falling back to the tired “fake news” trope. You still don’t have to believe it, but “fake news” is a lazy cop out.

Yes, there is bias in media. If you believe in a media source the majority of the time, I would hazard to guess that there is bias. Before you dismiss an article, look at what backup they provide. Can you independently confirm that the data is out there?

If anyone wondered if it was illegal to boycott Tesla, the answer is “no” and yes there is legal precedent (all nice and documented). Consider the source.