News as Research

I grew up learning that good essayists challenges their own ideas by reading sources that oppose their own view, and even presenting their arguments in their own essay. People expect responsible journalists to give both sides of the issue.

I see too much of biased journalism. I also see too much misrepresenting the other side of the issue, or cases where there are many sides of an issue.

I think the real problem is not just with news agencies. It is with people who don't seek alternative viewpoints that challenge their own ideas. This is at the core of real science--testing your own hypothesis means challenging it with any alternatives you can dream up.

It's time to start doing real research, people. It's time to start verifying sources, to start seeking out opposing viewpoints and subscribing to them (even if you don't agree, you are better informed if you read them).

Of course, nobody can afford to read every story in triplicate (their favorite journalist/news source, an opposing viewpoint, and an alternative third viewpoint). I think this is what the scriptures mean when they say every man ought to be engaged in a good cause. But I think it behooves us, when questions of national importance come up, or when we have an opportunity to vote with either ballots, donations, or our time--it behooves us to be informed. That means learning two other viewpoints, and questioning whether another viewpoint might exist. That means praying for help to see what is right, and then: "It becometh every man who has been warned to warn his neighbor."

Sometimes (or often) you won't agree with friends on what you've learned. So learn to be able to peaceable disagree, and learn to exchange research sources rather than emotional exchanges of words.

This I tell myself. Now off I go to read the other presidential candidate's site. And a third presidential candidate's website.

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Articles that triggered this blog post include Orson Scott Card's essays on the current election situation. He's a democrat, but he opposes Obama. I oppose obama, but I am not a democrat. We don't see eye to eye on everything, but I think his essays have a lot of good to say.
http://www.ldsmag.com/ideas/081017light.html
http://www.ornery.org/essays/warwatch/2008-10-12-1.html