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On Journalism
Apr. 10th, 2018 11:04 pmI can only work one piece of actual magic, but it's a good one. Want to see?
***makes arcane gesture towards sky***
***Clouds part; rays of sunlight stream down, illuminating a banner held by singing cherubs which reads:***
IF A STORY IS ONLY REPORTED BY NON-REPUTABLE SOURCES, IT IS MOST LIKELY NOT A REAL STORY.
***Choir of cherubs sings the following lyrics:***
Check. your. sources, o my people. If the story confirms your views, double-check it. Triple-check if it makes you feel immediate outrage, anger, schadenfreude, satisfaction or glee.
If every other WORD in the HEADLINE is in CAPITALS, it is likely not a reliable source.
Another marker of unsoundness is the use of MULTIPLE EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!!!!!
Reliable sources provide quotes that are dated and attributed; or if the quote is anonymous, they give a reason. Reliable sources state where their information is from, with a link or screenshot of the original.
Polls and statistics should have a link to the original research; from this, you can find out who paid for it, how recent it is and what their methods were.
If in doubt: do a search for key words from the headline or phrases from the story. If you don't see a credible fact-checked version, or you only see it reported in one place, then it's best to wait before sharing it.
In general, try not to get your news from anywhere that's trying to sell you an agenda. Even if the agenda agrees with your own.
I know we live in dark, uncertain times. In such times, we all seek comfort and reassurance. This is understandable.
But I repeat: beware of any story that appears to validate your own views, vindicate a politician you love, or damn a politician you hate.
Remember: all sites thrive on adverts, which require pageviews. Their writers know that strong feelings generate clicks and shares. They will deliberately phrase their headlines to manufacture those feelings: outrage, joy, fear, schadenfreude, glee.
Right-wing and left-wing partisan sites use the same techniques to keep their viewers in a constant state of outrage, insecurity and fear.
In these times, we need to save our outrage for the things that matter; the things we can affect and change.
These are many.
But our work to change things will be infinitely more effective if we arm ourselves with good information, rather than partisan soundbites.
Here endeth the lesson.
***makes arcane gesture towards sky***
***Clouds part; rays of sunlight stream down, illuminating a banner held by singing cherubs which reads:***
IF A STORY IS ONLY REPORTED BY NON-REPUTABLE SOURCES, IT IS MOST LIKELY NOT A REAL STORY.
***Choir of cherubs sings the following lyrics:***
Check. your. sources, o my people. If the story confirms your views, double-check it. Triple-check if it makes you feel immediate outrage, anger, schadenfreude, satisfaction or glee.
If every other WORD in the HEADLINE is in CAPITALS, it is likely not a reliable source.
Another marker of unsoundness is the use of MULTIPLE EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!!!!!
Reliable sources provide quotes that are dated and attributed; or if the quote is anonymous, they give a reason. Reliable sources state where their information is from, with a link or screenshot of the original.
Polls and statistics should have a link to the original research; from this, you can find out who paid for it, how recent it is and what their methods were.
If in doubt: do a search for key words from the headline or phrases from the story. If you don't see a credible fact-checked version, or you only see it reported in one place, then it's best to wait before sharing it.
In general, try not to get your news from anywhere that's trying to sell you an agenda. Even if the agenda agrees with your own.
I know we live in dark, uncertain times. In such times, we all seek comfort and reassurance. This is understandable.
But I repeat: beware of any story that appears to validate your own views, vindicate a politician you love, or damn a politician you hate.
Remember: all sites thrive on adverts, which require pageviews. Their writers know that strong feelings generate clicks and shares. They will deliberately phrase their headlines to manufacture those feelings: outrage, joy, fear, schadenfreude, glee.
Right-wing and left-wing partisan sites use the same techniques to keep their viewers in a constant state of outrage, insecurity and fear.
In these times, we need to save our outrage for the things that matter; the things we can affect and change.
These are many.
But our work to change things will be infinitely more effective if we arm ourselves with good information, rather than partisan soundbites.
Here endeth the lesson.