Random Thought—The News

I had a print subscription to the New York Times for many years. I could commonly be found in the hall between classes reading it. Students (plural) would pay me visits and ask me “Why do you like the New York Times?” Like?? I always found the question curious. That is how this culture views the news outlets: as something we should like. “I like CNN, so that is what I watch.” “I like Fox, so that is what I watch.” The horror.

The news is not there to like. They either do their job well or they don’t. Most televised news in the United States is awful. If you’re thinking “Should I watch CNN or Fox?” The correct answer is: neither. They’re both terrible.

What do I mean by terrible? I mean that they are not informing their audiences. Yes, CNN does meticulous work covering elections. They do a very detailed job. But overall news coverage? Well, they put Donald Trump in the White House for a start. Did they cover Elizabeth Warren with equal ardor? If CNN took an interest in working-class priorities, they would have. Moreover, they participate in the liberal-conservative rhetoric. They will not rock the boat (do actual journalism) or upset advertisers. Their coverage of the Middle East is appalling. Their coverage of the war in Iraq was a joke. There is no way someone could understand US foreign policy as it pertains to the Middle East by watching CNN. One could quit his or her job and watch CNN ten hours a day, seven days a week, and he or she will never (ever) become well informed on the subject. And Fox is just worse on all these points.

What do I recommend? I suggest to students: the Guardian, the New York Times, and Vox. Oh, and Democracy Now. Those four constitute a good news roundup for your morning. This is not to say, for example, that I am not critical of the NYT. I am. See link below. But, I still recommend people read it. Vox is an explainer website, which clarifies what is in the news; they do very good work.

Are these sources perfect? There is no such thing. There is no news source that will deliver the TRUTH. If you’re seeking the TRUTH, then you need to maybe grow up. Be an adult, take in multiple sources, read critically, and draw your own conclusions.

And please stop liking your news sources. Do you “like” your bank? No, you expect them to do their job and handle your money responsibly. You don’t “like” Chase. So, stop liking Fox. And really, why would you?

https://truthout.org/articles/why-the-liberal-media-leaves-hawkish-foreign-policy-unchallenged/