What makes a good news source?

SGT Ben Keen — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 09:01:28 -0400

There is certainly no shortage on places where you can turn to on the internet to get your news. From your local town news paper to national and international news agencies to independent news sources, everyone has a way to share what they feel is news. But with all this information just a mouse click away, I sometimes wonder what makes people decide to use one source over the other within RallyPoint? Is there truly a "fair and balanced" source out there? How much of the burden is placed on us, the general public to read more and come to our conclusions based on several sources? Do you find yourself only going to those sites that side with your point of view or are you continuously looking around to see what others have to say, even if it goes against your point of view?

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Sep 16 at 2015 9:03 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 09:03:45 -0400

Pretty much anything can be a good new source.

Response by SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz made Sep 16 at 2015 9:12 AM

SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 09:12:01 -0400

America One News, I think that's the name.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 9:14 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 09:14:52 -0400

Generally speaking, if it is more than one place, it is much more likely to be a reported fact. Single-source is much more likely to be reported opinion and skewed by that particular institution's bias.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Sep 16 at 2015 9:28 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 09:28:51 -0400

The classic questions answered, while avoiding editorializing.

Who, What, Where, When, Why, & How. Avoiding opinions unless explicitly stating they are opinions.

There will always be some bias. It's impossible to avoid, because the act of reporting itself is "bias" in some ways. However, interjecting personal views into the report itself should be avoided, or at a minimum caveated.

Sources that "tailor a narrative" or worse, sources that pander to their sponsors because a specific narrative is more lucrative are those that are stepping away from "good."

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 16 at 2015 9:33 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 09:33:50 -0400

There is no such thing as "fair and balanced" anywhere. The best way to do this when researching is look at the source, then compare it to another who reported the same thing. While there's going to be quite a few differences, the meat and potatoes will be the same. If you cannot see past party lines and will only look at MSNBC (for ex), then you're missing part of something that Fox might have the answer for, or vice versa. Wikki is about the single worst site to use for real information.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 11:27 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:27:56 -0400

What would make a good news source would be one that actually reported the facts of the news, not edited opinions about it.

It seems to me that the general perception is a good news source is one which portrays MY opinion. That is of course so wrong and is the reason for the continuing division in our country.

Nothing turns me off more than the statement " Oh, that is from --------- so it can't be true.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Sep 18 at 2015 3:25 AM

PO1 John Miller — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 03:25:10 -0400

I generally will search multiple sites before I form an opinion on something. My Google skills are second to none in that regard, LOL.

But generally, I've learned that if I see something on an independent news site that isn't being carried by the major players, it's probably fake.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Jul 23 at 2021 10:14 AM

SSG Carlos Madden — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 10:14:30 -0400

We need to bring this one back