In today’s rapidly evolving media climate, consumers have seemingly unlimited options in terms of their sources for news and entertainment. The prevalence and dominance of the internet and other technological developments are dramatically altering both the ways the public receives their news and the techniques used by journalists to reach them.
However, not all of these sources are equal when it comes to evaluating their credibility and scope. According to Eric Deggan’s Poynter article, the choices we make about our media consumption affect our intellectual well-being the same way our food choices affect our physical well-being. Traditional news outlets continue to aim for well-balanced and factual articles, while television news programs tend to be more one-sided and emotionally charged.
In some ways, opinion columns have evolved into personal blogs, wherein any so-called “citizen journalist” can air their social and political views which may or may not be supported by facts. In my (strictly personal) opinion, these changes have contributed to the increased polarity between political parties and their constituents. Between the “tree-hugging Liberals” and the Tea Party, moderate middle ground seems to be disintegrating.
Deggan’s statements caused me to re-evaluate my own media choices, and I found that I am just as guilty as the next person when it comes to selecting news sources which validify my personal views. My main source of information is without a doubt CNN; I receive multiple updates daily through my iPhone application and I browse their website whenever I find a free moment. Social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter also play a large role in my media consumption, although I use them mostly for keeping in touch with friends and sharing pictures. I regularly read articles from the Washington Post and, for dessert, Cosmopolitan.
I listen to the radio frequently while running errands, but I listen for something to dance to, not for information. While financial constraints persuaded me to cancel my cable subscription, once or twice a week I watch DVR’d episodes of the Colbert Report at my boyfriends house. Even when I had cable, I never watched Fox News — not even once. When my father, a strictly down-the-ballot Republican, turned it on I would leave the room to avoid any conflicts or arguments.
So I am certainly not holier-than-thou in my media consumption, despite the fact that I am an aspiring journalist and take care to stay abreast of major news. This exercise has convinced me that it would be beneficial for me to expand my media horizons in an attempt to meet all my news nutrition goals.
Maybe Fox News could teach me something new.
And, if not, at least it will allow me to construct better arguments about the things I disagree with.
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