we're always being told not to believe what the papers/media say - so who do we believe?

Question

And which newspaper in your opinion is the most trustworthy and why?

surely doing research still involves reading about someone else's account or report?

there is some truth in most papers so it's not all lies or we'd all go crazy, but the slant of it depends on where their editors' loyalties and leanings lie, e.g. one journal will concentrate on the corruption of a council, say, another will base a report solely on the environment or the victim..etc etc but all still reporting the same story, dismissing the bits to suit their readers' /followers sympathies

good and valid comments Gilly especially as regards the bbc's bias when they used to be envied for unbiased reporting. How times change.

Answer 1

Believe in your ability to research and find the answers hidden behind the mask that's been placed over your eyes and ears since before your birth.

Answers are out there, some hide in plain sight, some take intellectuals to clean up and distort.

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No, it requires reading multiple accounts and reports, and checking on the validity of the statements made. We as people have grown far too accustomed to believing most of what comes out of the mainstream media.

Start with questioning the things that seem rather absurd to you, the idea of people hating you for having freedom? Why does the middle east seem so violent? What was WWI all about? What has the western role contributed to the violence in the middle east? Why does America fund and support Israel but not officially have them as an 'Ally'

Lots of questions, and lots of answers scattered throughout many texts of propaganda and truth, and some simply hide in plain site for all to see but few understand or believe.

Answer 2

I take what the media print with a pinch of salt, having made a comment for a local paper consisting of a three sentence answer being turned into two paragraphs, of comments I had not made. It is really down to common sense, I think most media sensationalise issues to generate sales, I have not bought a news paper since the episode above, I watch TV news but feel they tend to over dramatise many issues, that are not worth air space. They all tend to be affiliated with political parties and will write according to that affiliation, just one example. I am not suggesting all news is wrong just over the top and can cause unnecessary panic, or influence people in the wrong way.
I cannot suggest which paper is the best as I do not read any, they all tend to be the same as far as I am concerned

Answer 3

Very good question!
Tough one to answer as the media used to have a certain amount of impartiality. However in contemporary society the pressure to deliver news first and fast combined with conflict issues with owners and advertisers has seen a diminishing in the veracity and trustworthiness. One problem that exists is simply the mere fact of "reporting" is always going to be one of selection involving a degree of bias. THe BBC prides itself on impartiality but it is far from impartial and the subsequent illusion of impartiality helps dmagae and demean the very notion. I am appalled to realise how many news organisations take stories from news agencies, there is rarely any cross-checking of fact and the resulting stories pass into a perma-data of web sites as "fact" - you may read a shock horror headline but there is often very little follow up after the initial burts of publicity and splash. All too often news and media organisations work to restircted agendas that can only ever limit and damage the sense of what to trust - BBC3 and their News in 60 seconds!!!! that is just pathetic...every tabloid paper that limits world news to page 2 - otherwise iot encroaches on the entertainment and celebrity pages...

The future will and is increasingly being made up of vertical media that distrusts traditional media sources. Cross referencing and multiple source stories where people will receiev less overall news but will look more closely at the stories that concern them will be increasingly emergent. Consdier the ongoing decline in newspapers - Tiem for a change

Answer 4

I think you just have to read a variety of different news sources representing different views and with different biases, and then come to your own conclusions and have an informed opinion. And of course, it never hurts to take everything with a healthy pinch of salt...not quite to the extent where you trust no one, but definitely trust no one completely.
Unless you're some kind of omniscient superhuman, you do ultimately have to base your opinion on other people's reports, but just be aware that no one is completely objective and base your thinking on as wide a range of information as you can.

As far as newspapers go, I personally enjoy reading the Independent but I do try and do a read round of all the major broadsheets (and sometimes tabloids) once a week or so to get a feel for different opinions. Again, just be aware of the biases they have and the agendas they push and filter and analyse the contents accordingly.

Answer 5

I read Daily Mail, Times and Observer. Generally you can understand part of whats happening along with watching News on BBC. Everyone has a agenda now so do I always believe the media?

Only with an open mind

Answer 6

As the saying goes there's a side to every story... so when reading about something you cant just believe what that one person/paper/media say you've got to read/watch a few different things to actually find the truth... let your common sense guide you to the truth. Everyone always has a bias opinion to something/someone!!!

Answer 7

Your Own Common sense , a lot of the crap which is shoved at us is Rubbish but just work it our for yourself and pick out that which seems possible and probable , remember many of the articles are paid for by the amount of words used so much is written when a lot less would be sufficient . It,s easy to Criticise Journalists but just think where we would be without them Exposing the Bastards that are supposed to be running the country and Local councils with their never ending Bullshit

Answer 8

Perhaps if you would write to some of the military in Iraq, you would find out in a hurry what they think about what is going on here at home. As the old saying goes.."Believe nothing of what your read or hear, and only half of what you see".

Answer 9

believe in professional journals like new scientist. however newspapers can be authoritative at times. new york times and the economist are the best so far.

Answer 10

Read between the lines or you're just hearing dribble!!