Fed Up With Fake News?

A Guide to getting Fake News out of your life for good

A large number of people are having a hard time discerning real news from fake news.  I'm happy to tell you that, if you follow the general guidelines I've outlined below, it is actually easier to get Fake News (and intentional misinformation and disinformation) out of your life than you thought.

 

The 4 Quickest Steps to Getting Factual (Real) News:

     1)  Stop getting your news from TV and radio personalities and from Internet memes

     2)  Identify credible sources

     3)  Learn how spot the difference between news and opinion

     4)  Make fact-checkers your friend

 

1. Stop Getting Your News From TV (and Radio) personalities and from Internet Memes

TV News can be a slippery slope.  Just because someone says their news is Real or Fair or Balanced, doesn't make it true.  If you must get your news from TV, the best places to find factual, non-biased news is from the major network newscasts.  Those would include:

 

DINNER HOUR Broadcasts:

-- The PBS NewsHour -- online here: pbs.org/newshour/ 

-- ABC World News Tonight -- online here: abcnews.go.com/WN 

-- CBS Evening News -- online here: cbsnews.com/evening-news/ 

-- NBC Nightly News -- online here:  nbcnews.com/nightly-news 

NEWS SHOWS TO AVOID:

1) Talking heads

2) Panel discussions, generally with a moderator or host

3) Those relying upon opinions, sensationalism, demonization, ranting or judgments of others

 

THE BEST SOURCE FOR CURRENT NEWS 

(at any time):

Google News -- news.google.com

Google News is an aggregator of sources and they present the news by topic with numerous media sources provided for each story or subject.  That way users can choose which source to read or can read multiple sources.  Plus it's easy to navigate.  This is my go-to source to obtain accurate news.

 

2. Identify Credible Sources

The Internet has made it easier to find both disreputable sources of news, and reputable ones.  In your quest for reliable news sources, the best place to start is with organizations that rate news sources on the basis of their political bias and reliability based upon concrete, identifiable methodologies.   Those would include:

-- Ad Fontes Media's Media Bias Chart* -- Ad Fontes Media Bias Chart 

-- All Sides -- All Sides media-bias-ratings

-- Media Bias Fact Check - A reliable source, but now omitted here because of a very confusing web site loaded with not-so-clearly marked 3rd party ad links to questionable web sites.

*Ad Fontes also offers a very helpful link with which you can look up the neutrality and reliability of almost ANY source

Ad Fontes rankings-by-individual-news-source

 

Based on Ad Fontes Media and on All Sides, the following news sources are considered to be the most fair, reliable and unbiased in their presentation of the news (not including opinion articles):

-- The Associated Press

-- Reuters

-- NPR News (online)

-- USA Today

-- BBC News

-- Axios

-- PBS

-- The Christian Science Monitor

-- ABC News

-- CBS News

-- NBC News

-- The New York Times

-- The Washington Post

-- The Wall Street Journal

-- Forbes

-- Bloomberg

-- The Hill

Once you know which sources are reliable, you can switch back and forth between them (i.e.-- like on Google News) in order to get different, factual angles of the same story.  One thing to note: reputable news sources will correct any reporting errors once they become known.  Disreputable sources don't.

 

 

3. Learn how spot the difference between news and opinion

This one is easy -- providing you are starting with reputable new sources.  Just be aware that almost every news source offers a combination of news and editorial/opinion/analysis.  Credible print/Internet sources will clearly identify the nature of opinion articles, generally at the top with designations such as "Op-Ed"; "Opinion", "Editorial" or "Analysis".  Expect these to have an opinionated viewpoint of the subjects they are discussing. 

 

 

4. Make fact-checkers your friend

Most major media outlets nowadays offer some degree of fact-checking.  If the fact-checking source is reputable, their fact-checking will be too.  But there are also several other fact checking organizations that can be utilized.  Once you know which are trustworthy, you can utilize your search engine to see which of the fact checkers have addressed your inquiry.  

To fact check a questionable claim, simply put the words "Fact check" followed by the subject and claim you want to check.  If you don't get the results you are looking for, try rewording the claim or using a specific quote from the article or meme you are trying to check.  An example of this might be to search "Fact Check Does Facebook ban the posting of the Lord's Prayer?"

 

Here are some reliable third-party fact-checkers:

-- FactCheck.org 

-- Politifact 

-- Snopes

-- The Washington Post Fact Checker  

 

 

General Tips for Avoiding Fake News

-- Identify reliable sources and seek them out

-- Learn to recognize the difference between news and opinion

-- Ask WHY?  Does this make sense?

-- Verify doubtful/questionable claims using fact checkers

-- Avoid believing social media memes, talking heads, and cable news or radio personalities (on Fox, OAN, CNN, MSNBC, Limbaugh, InfoWars, etc.)

-- Read beyond the headline.  Headlines are often written to grab your attention with sensationalized claims

-- Trust your 'bullshit' detector.  If it sounds suspicious, look it up. 

-- If it makes a judgment or asks you to, it's not news

-- Read the news, rather than watch it.  It's harder to get away with lies and deceptions in print.

-- Use your search engine

 

Not all local media is trustworthy

Sadly, there has been a recent effort to deceptively portray corporately-sourced, partisan political opinions as coming from trusted local news anchors.  Ironically, the most abhorrent example of this came from Sinclair Broadcast Group and took the form of an editorial warning to viewers about "Fake News".  This warning was broadcast word-for-word on dozens of Sinclair-owned TV stations criticizing what they considered to be "Fake News" sources and describing them as "extremely dangerous to our democracy".  A number of journalists at those stations resigned rather than participate in the deliberate deception.  You can view a very creepy and disturbing video of the result here:  

Dozens of local Sinclair TV anchors reading the same script

Sinclair currently owns 193 TV stations in 100 American markets, owning multiple competing stations in some markets.  To see if your local station is one of them, you can view the database here: 

List of local TV stations owned or operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group

 

Learn to Identify Logical Fallacies

A Logical Fallacy is an attempt to use logical-sounding arguments to support illogical or intentionally erroneous conclusions.  Expressed another way, the underlying intent of a logical fallacy is to present falsehoods in a way that project the appearance of being factual.

Logical fallacies abound, especially on social media, talk radio and talk/opinion TV.  Here is a helpful link to a slide show which can help you:  1) identify them;  2) better understand what local fallacies look like;  3) and explain how users of logical fallacies try to manipulate you: 

12 Common Logical Fallacies and How to Debunk Them

 

Truth matters.  

Hopefully this post has made it easier for you to seek it out.

 

The Case for Bernie Sanders

People generally vote for 2 reasons:

Some people vote FOR a candidate.

Some vote AGAINST a candidate. 

Often, it's a combination of both.

BEING AGAINST DONALD TRUMP IS NOT ENOUGH TO WIN 

Come November, Democrats need a candidate who voters are resoundingly FOR.  One who excites a large segment of voters.  Better still, one who excites a segment of voters that typically don't turn out to vote in high numbers.  Barack Obama did that in 2008 and in 2012.  Hillary Clinton failed to do that in 2016.  We know that result.

The outcome of this election is going to come down to one thing:  turnout.  The biggest driver of turnout is enthusiasm.  There is no Democratic candidate in 2020 that exudes more excitement and enthusiasm than Bernie Sanders.  That is evidenced by the thousands -- even tens of thousands -- of supporters cheering him on at his events.  It's evidenced by the number of donors to his campaign.  And it's evidenced by the amount of money he has raised.  No other Democratic candidate comes close.

MOTIVATION AND ENTHUSIASM ARE KEY

The motivation to vote AGAINST Donald Trump this November is significant, probably higher than at any time in recent history.  But outside of Bernie Sanders, the FOR vote on the Democratic side is seriously lacking.  Democrats cannot win without a solid FOR vote.  If you're in doubt, look back to Hillary Clinton in 2016.

There are several demographic groups which traditionally vote in very low numbers.  They include young people, the black community and the Hispanic/Latino community.  In order to win in November, Democrats will need to motivate those groups to vote in large numbers, and they only tend to turn out in sufficient numbers if they are engaged.  Bernie engages the young in greater numbers than seen at any time in recent memory.  He does extremely well with Hispanic/Latino voters, as we saw in Nevada.  He still needs to do better at engaging the black community.  Fortunately, his very long and well documented history of standing up for desegregation and equal rights lends him credibility with that community.  How well he can motivate them between now and November remains to be seen.  But the fundamental requirements to be able to accomplish that are there.

VULNERABILITIES

Every one of the Democratic candidates has vulnerabilities.  The fears some people have that Bernie can't be elected are real, but can be overcome.  His two biggest vulnerabilities are the false impression that he is a Socialist (rather than a Democratic Socialist) and the belief that he will spend money recklessly.  Both of these can be addressed and overcome with clearer messaging in the general election against Donald Trump.  And they will need to be.

AMERICA'S VIEWS ARE IN SYNC WITH BERNIE'S BELIEFS

Americans of all political beliefs love the goals of Bernie's policies:  a $15 minimum wage;  health insurance for all; lowering prescription drug prices; affordable education;  fair and equitable taxation;  protecting our land, water and air; acting to address global warming;  fair immigration policies;  preservation of Social Security;  investing in renewable energy rather than fossil fuels;  shifting spending away from endless foreign wars and toward domestic infrastructure;  ending voter suppression;  banning the sale of assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition;  requiring background checks for gun buyers;  supporting safe abortions and a woman's right to make that choice.  Every one of these are widely held popular views and goals.

BERNIE HAS CONSISTENTLY BEEN ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY

Bernie has been on the right side of the fight for decades:  standing up for civil rights, gay rights, women's rights and voter rights long before it was "safe" to do so.  Promoting fairness, equality, opportunity, fair wages, fair taxation, reduced military intervention and better educational opportunities for all.  Taking a stand on environmental issues and opposing the folly of the Iran War.  His passion for fairness, righteousness and justice is long-term and unwavering.

BERNIE IS AUTHENTIC

The words most commonly used to describe Bernie are: authentic; ethical; moral;  honest;  integrity;  honorable; consistent;  fair-minded;  genuine  -- these traits and perceptions are virtually unknown in the world of politics and they are the polar opposite of how people view Donald Trump and the GOP.  That's part of what makes Bernie such a strong opponent and a fundamental threat to Trump.

BERNIE IS THE ANTITHESIS OF DONALD TRUMP 

When the lies and misinformation come fast and furious in the weeks leading up to election day,  No one will be immune to the attacks.  Not Bernie.  Not Pete.  Not Bloomberg.  Not Biden.  Not Elizabeth.  The overriding factor in how the lies are perceived will depend on who voters believe.  It will be the candidate's character that will make the difference as to whether the false charges stick or not.  Bernie's reputation for honesty and his moral character, as well as his credibility, will help him survive and overcome those attacks better than most others. 

Even though Bernie's self-avowed Social Democracy scares some people, the enthusiasm he generates with traditional non-voters more than offsets that. And, while it's possible to address and overcome misinterpretations of what "Social Democracy" means, you can't manufacture enthusiasm where it doesn't actually exist.  Winning will absolutely require the participation of traditional non-voters in November to defeat Trump.  There is no other candidate who enthuses those groups the way Bernie does.

It would also be a miscalculation to dismiss the fact that there is an unexpected overlap between Bernie supporters and some Trump supporters.  Bernie will likely peel away some of Trump's support, which other candidates won't, further making Bernie one of Trump's most serious and dangerous opponents. 

The bottom line is that Americans want and need solutions to runaway healthcare costs;  exorbitant drug prices;  inhumane immigration policies; crushing student loan debt;  global warming;  gun violence;  income inequality; and more.  Not a single one of those issues is a part of the Republican agenda. Not one.  Bernie isn't a newcomer to any of those issues.  He's been fighting for those causes for decades. 

Bernie recently said “When my family cares about your family, and your family cares about my family, we all do better.”  One of his core campaign messages is "Not me. Us." 

Could there possibly be a more uniting message and a starker contrast with the current occupant of The White House?