In recent weeks, several news media outlets released multiple photographs with stories of despair about the alleged horrors along the Southern Border. Accounts of children ripped from their parents’ arms over President Trump’s “Zero-Tolerance” policy. Unsurprisingly, the photos spread like wildfire, cast widespread by mainstream news and social media influencers. Meanwhile, disparaging comments made about border officials and the Departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services flung far and wide.
While outrage and debate ensued worldwide, the photos, one by one, became discredited. The accounts surrounding the images were proven to be misleading. (See “The truth behind this photo of an ‘immigrant child’ crying inside a cage” and “Father of 2-year-old face of the child separation crisis speaks” – to name a few) As a result, our trusted sources for information caught stumbling over added details.
News On-Demand
In our 24/7 social media-filled world, news outlets rapid-fire aiming to break the story first and most broadly. I’ll admit I enjoy that sense of receiving breaking information while I scroll my Twitter feed. However, I cautiously stop myself from jumping to conclusions or getting emotional. Time and again, news outlets send out retractions or further information that changes the meaning.
The smaller news sources fight for credibility and market share but make up for it in passion and quality journalism. Still, a plurality of Americans rely on the long-standing trusted news outlets to provide them with accurate information promptly. With jobs and other responsibilities, few people have time for investigative journalism. But, it is valuable to stay current with national and world events.
Facts and opinions
We consume more news and information than ever, but are we getting as much out of it? To the best of my knowledge, most, if not all, the articles still contain factual statements. However, more and more, personal opinions seep into more significant portions of the content. Journalists add greater meaning to their stories, suggesting a particular emotional response in reaction to what they’ve shared. To be fair, some articles remain completely devoid of opinion and only lay out facts.
On the other hand, this is the age of mainstream articles written about 240 (or fewer) character tweets. Reports that come from long-term “trusted” sources now resemble gossip. Moreover, opinions run wild in comment sections and beyond. Undoubtedly, we need these opinions, the resulting debates, and the information. However, we could do without anything petty or assumptive.
Can we overcome the opinion obstacle?
According to a Pew Research Center study, only 26% of American adults can consistently distinguish between fact and opinion statements in the news. Considering the current state of journalism and this study, we are treading toward dangerous waters. With most things, no perfect solution exists, so Americans and their politicians need to discuss and determine compromises to correct the problems. Unfortunately, overly-outraged citizens cannot rationally debate.
