How do you know what you know is true and not Mis-information.?

Question

How can people know what they know about world events are true and not just what the media has repeatedly told them 24/7. Is it easy to get caught up in the mass histeria presented to you in your everyday life.

Answer 1

Take everything with a pinch of salt xx

Answer 2

Best advice is not to get all your news from one source. Try especially hard to pick out fact from someone else's opinion.

Try VERY hard to go to the source. If someone says "I heard that ...." do the research for yourself. Where did HE hear this? And where did THAT source get the info.

If one news network reports information obtained from an anonymous source, we need to find out if other networks have similar information, obtained separately, or are they reporting each other's news.

DEFINITELY be suspicious of any source that has a clear agenda, of biased point of view. A source like that will only report facts that support that point of view.

I recommend you actively seek out reports that differ from your own views. That way, at least you hear a different set of facts, that may lead you to invesigate other sources. Even if these sources do not change your mind, you, at least are better armed with more facts.

In short, do your own research. Don't depend on pre digested news.

You, I, none of us will EVER know the true facts about everything. The best we can do, as citizens, is to be the best informed about the most important issues, and make the best decisions we can.

Answer 3

Believe nothing.

Yes, as we heard on the X-Files, the truth IS out there. But you are unlikely to hear it in the news.

When all else fails, research your sources and use those you trust. Assume that the story may change and look for it to do so. Remember that the goal of the news outlets is high ratings/readership, NOT accurate reporting. Also remember that even if you do get the truth about a particular story, they didn't necessarily report the most important stories...only those most likely to gain or maintain their readers/viewers. The stories that get left out could be the most important truth your looking for.

Dang, I sound like a conspiracy theorist.

Answer 4

First, one needs to have a healthy skepticism of what the media tells you as being the whole and unbiased truth. Understand that media is biased, and understand which ways each lean. Assume they are giving you some facts, but that you are not hearing the whole story.

Second, always check it against known sources that you know have opposite biases. You might get a half-truth from each side that add to a whole truth.

Third, run it through your internal BS meter.

Lastly, acknowledge that you yourself are also biased, and check to make sure your biases are not misleading you. Always chastise yourself against leaning toward believing falsehoods that you WISH were true, but have no real proof behind them.

Answer 5

while it's true that media can turn around facts to look like something is not media was no ment to be believed at blindly. Each individual before blindly believing on something should do and informed decision whether to go with it or not, and questions doubts, research what other media is saying about it and loom for as many hard facts as possible to go with...
And even after all that years could pass and when we are old, something can still come out that proves that what they made us believe for many years wasn't entirely the truth.
**** Specially when it comes to government issues****

Answer 6

Just make sure the report isn't from Fox News or the Washington post. Whenever you see a article, quote or photo, assume it's taken out of context until you're able to confirm with 2-3 other sources.

Answer 7

don't rely on ONE newssource. Those who only watch Fox News actually know less about what's going on in the world than those who don't watch news at all (this has actually been scientifically studied). However - don't just rely on CNN or MSNBC, either. Watch them ALL (including Fox). The only TRULY unbiased TV news source (and people from all over the spectrum actually do agree on this) is C-SPAN. It might be a bit boring & dry for some....but it truly is the only unbiased TV source.

Answer 8

You need to clear the facts by comparing different sources. Try news.google.com for comparitive coverage of different stories. Also you should go to sources where the consequences for lying are very high. Blogs, not so much, white house press briefings, very high.

Answer 9

I find the Daily Sport is a reliable read and to my knowledge has not printed an untrue article yet. To answer short - ready reliable newspapers.

Answer 10

Go with your gut instinct I pick apart all information, I get from the news conglomerates and never believe the individuals that run this country they get paid alot of money to lie to me