| A guide to responsible news watching |
Don't let this be you!
When you watch the news on TV, ask yourself the following questions:
Did you get...
1. The whole story? Were you told...
- Who was involved? Was there anyone else involved that they did not mention?
- What took place? Does this make sense? Were there related events that were not mentioned?
- Where it occurred?
- When it happened? Was it a result of or response to anything?
- Why is this story being reported and why is this story getting so much attention? Is it vital news?
2. Information about the source? Were you told...
- Who supplied the information and do you know the background or involvement of the sources?
- What corroboration exists?
- Where the information originated?
- When the facts were revealed?
- Why the story was released and why was it released now?
3. Important background? Were you told...
- Who was previously involved?
- What led up to the event?
- Where contributing events took place?
- When earlier incidents occurred?
- Why the events are connected?
4. A biased perspective? Were you told...
- Who has a different view of the events?
- What part of the story was speculation?
- Where opposing viewpoints can be found?
- When political gain is possible?
- Why no challenge has been offered?
5. A prepared script? Were you told...
- Who stands to gain political points or media ratings?
- What facts are missing or glossed over?
- Where does the opposition stand on the issue?
- When the story will be corroborated?
- Why there is no supporting evidence?
Democracy depends on an informed electorate. Use common sense. Are the newscasters asking the common-sense questions that you are asking? Are the newscasters answering the common-sense questions that you are asking? Are you forming your own questions and conclusions or are you just accepting everything you hear as the complete accurate truth?
Adapted from original at http://www.tvnewslies.org/html/how_to_watch_the_news.html.
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